When Breath becomes Air - Dr. Paul Kalanithi

I read this book during my commute on the Bart train to the office. Those were the days when I wished the ride were a bit longer just so I could squeeze in another chapter. The book had a captivating hold on me, every line keeping me firmly in my seat. I found myself holding back tears amidst the hustle and bustle of the metro train. This book resonated with me on a profound level, prompting deep contemplation about life as a whole, its inherent sensitivity, and the subsequent reshaping of priorities.

Dr. Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon who was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer at the age of 36, just as he was on the verge of completing his medical training. The book is a powerful reflection on life, death, and the pursuit of meaning in the face of mortality.

In the book, Dr. Kalanithi shares his personal journey from being a promising neurosurgeon to a patient battling a life-threatening illness. He explores profound questions about the meaning of life and the nature of human existence as he grapples with his own mortality. Dr. Kalanithi's writing is both eloquent and deeply introspective, as he contemplates the intersection of medicine, literature, and philosophy.

"When Breath Becomes Air" is a moving and thought-provoking exploration of what it means to live a meaningful life and how one confronts the inevitability of death. It has received widespread acclaim for its honesty, courage, and insight, and it has touched the hearts of readers around the world. tragically, Dr. Kalanithi passed away in 2015 before completing the book, and it was posthumously published by his wife, Lucy Kalanithi.