When Breath Becomes Air

Also a neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi wrote this book after being diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer at the age of 36—and it was published to enormous acclaim shortly after his death a year later. Kalanithi was motivated “by the question of what, given that all organisms die, makes a virtuous and meaningful life,” and it is this searching, compassionate tone that marks his book out. Deeply moving and—against all odds—life affirming. Make sure you keep tissues close at hand.

From our article Books like This is Going to Hurt