5 Books Every Medical Student Should Read

Medical study isn’t a very easy journey. Medical students often have tight schedules with day long classes, practical training and internships. More often than ever, medical students end up studying for a longer period of time. This spares them very little time for reading outside their curriculum. But still, it is necessary to read books to keep yourself focussed and relaxed.


In this article, Way2Admission talks about 5 such books that medical students should read at least once in their lives:

The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Written by an award winning writer and physician Siddhartha Mukherjee, ‘The Emperor of All Maladies’ is a non-fictional and thought-provoking story of human perseverance and resilience. It won the Pulitzer Prize in the year 2011 in the General, Non-Fiction category. It is considered a ‘literary thriller’ and offers a rather engrossing and informative idea about the future of the treatment of cancer.

The Intern Blues by Robert Marion

‘The Intern Blues’ is a collection of real-life stories of three interns working in a New York healthcare centre. In this book, the author, Robert Marion, discusses the system of medical training through the experience of three of his interns in America. The stories are about the treatment of sick children, indifference of hospitals and their personal experience of fear, insecurities and triumph.

White Coat by Ellen L. Rothman

The ‘White Coat’ by Ellen L. Rothman is all about the story of a young woman and her professional medical journey. Through this book, Rothman describes her journey of exhaustion and despair which ultimately led to her becoming a doctor. She talks about all her embarrassments and horror while treating multiple patients with different diseases. The book is a story of fear, embarrassment, transformation and the much earned success. The best private medical colleges in Mumbai encourage its students to read such books that can motivate them in their journey of being successful medical practitioners.

Hot Lights, Cold Steel by Michael J. Collins

Considered one of the best picks for any medical student, ‘Hot Lights, Cold Steel’ is a story of a surgeon and his residence in a big hospital. It is a narrative of his experience from being a clueless fresher student to becoming an experienced and accomplished medical graduate. The book takes the readers directly to the operating room and aims to highlight the humanly and passionate side of the medical professionals. It is a gripping, engaging and devastating memoir of a surgeon’s medical life.

In Stitches by Anthony Youn

Penned by a Korean-American plastic surgeon Anthony Youn, ‘In Stitches’ is a candid and heart-felt memoir of his experience into becoming a renowned doctor. The book describes the author’s professional journey in a hilarious and cheerful way. It talks about how Youn decided to become a surgeon after he himself underwent a jaw surgery. The book is quite inspiring and includes a sense of drama and humour which makes it a worth reading autobiography.



Medical education can be consuming and stressful at times. Therefore, it becomes very important for the student to keep themselves calm and relaxed. Reading books can keep them diluted and entertained in an informative way. For more such tips and information about the best medical colleges in Mumbai private, please visit Way2Admission.