I recently finished Better: A Surgeon’s Notes on Performance by Atul Gawande, a book about medical failures and successes. Spoiler: You’d don’t have to be a surgeon or even in the healthcare industry to enjoy this well-written book.

Better: Amazon Description

Atul Gawande, the New York Times bestselling author of Complications, examines, in riveting accounts of medical failure and triumph, how success is achieved in this complex and risk-filled profession. At once unflinching and compassionate, Better is an exhilarating journey, narrated by “arguably the best nonfiction doctor-writer around” (Salon.com).


My Review

Better lands somewhere between my high praise for When Breathe Becomes Air and my lack-luster review of The Bright Hour. Unlike both, Gawande shares stories of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals across several centuries. From the death penalty to medical malpractice insurance, Gawande examines what health care professionals deal with and the consequences. It was an interesting (and relatively easy) read. As you can see in the photo above, I read a large chunk of it while soaking up the sun at the pool. I wouldn’t necessarily suggest it as a pool/beach vacation book, but it’s great before-bed read.