When Breath Becomes Air

Author: Paul Kalanithi

Genre: Autobiography

Rating: 5 out of 5

Pages: 208

Date Started: 22 January 2022

Date Finished: 23 January 2022

Dr. Paul Kalanithi's memoir, "When Breath Becomes Air," is a poignant and deeply moving reflection on life, mortality, and the profound meaning of existence. This autobiographical work offers readers a rare glimpse into the world of a neurosurgeon facing the most challenging diagnosis of all, a terminal illness. The book chronicles Dr. Kalanithi's life, from his early years and family background to his relentless pursuit of a career in medicine. As a neurosurgeon, he not only excelled in his field but also grappled with the ethical complexities of life and death. His journey is one of dedication, passion, and the unwavering commitment to his patients. The heart of the book is Dr. Kalanithi's battle with Stage IV lung cancer. This life-altering diagnosis turns his world upside down, challenging everything he had once believed and aspired to achieve. In the face of mortality, he confronts the profound questions of existence and searches for meaning in a life that has been dedicated to the well-being of others. Dr. Kalanithi's writing is eloquent, and his narrative is both introspective and deeply philosophical. He invites readers to contemplate the essence of what it means to live and to confront the inevitable reality of death. His descriptions of the medical profession and his personal experiences as a patient provide insight into the physical, emotional, and psychological dimensions of illness and caregiving. The final chapter, penned by Dr. Kalanithi's wife, Lucy, adds another layer of emotional depth to the book. Her perspective on his life, illness, and passing is heartrending and beautifully written. Her reflection on love, loss, and the enduring presence of memory is both moving and comforting. "When Breath Becomes Air" challenges readers to ponder their own existence and the values they hold dear. It underscores the fragility of life and the importance of living in accordance with one's true priorities. Dr. Kalanithi's memoir is an unflinching exploration of human mortality and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. In conclusion, "When Breath Becomes Air" is a profound and unforgettable work that invites readers to contemplate life's most profound questions. It is a compelling exploration of what it means to be alive and to face the inevitability of death with courage and grace. Dr. Kalanithi's legacy lives on through his words, inspiring readers to cherish every moment and embrace the beauty of existence.

Favorite lines from the book:

• A young nurse, one I hadn't met poked her head in. "The doctor will be in soon." And with that, the future I had imagined, the one just about to be realized, the culmination of decades of striving, evaporated.

• However, it did make the throwaway assumption that the mind was simply the operation of the brain.

• Only later I would realize that our trip added a new dimension to my understanding of the fact that brains give rise to our ability to form relationships and make life meaningful. Sometimes, they break.

• Medical school sharpened my understanding of the relationship between the meaning of life and death.

• The first birth I witnessed was also the first death.

• Most mothers with stillborns have to go through labor and deliver. At least these guys had a chance.

• Diseases are molecules misbehaving; the basic requirement of life is metabolism, and death is cessation.

• Being with patients in these moments certainly had its emotional cost, but it also had its rewards.

• How little do doctors understand the hells through which we put our patients.

• As a doctor, you have a sense of what it's like to be sick, but until you've gone through it yourself, you don't really know.

The Secrets Between Us

Author: Thrity Umrigar

Genre: Fiction

Rating: 4 out of 5

Pages: 368

Date Started: 9 January 2022

Date Finished: 13 January 2022

This book was on my TBR list and happened to find this book in the library. I read that it was a sequel to 'The Space Between Us', and I remembered I had read it about 10 years ago. I remembered bits and pieces of the first book and decided to read this as a continuation.

The story starts with Bhima, who used to work at Dubash's family as a maid. She has been let go because Bhima's granddaughter Maya got pregnant by Sera's son-in-law Viraf. Ten years later, Bhima works at another Parsi woman's house while trying to educate Maya. Bhima also works at Sunita and Chitra's house who are in a relationship and want to help Maya achieve her goal of being a lawyer.

Bhima meets Parvati, a vegetable vendor and eventually, both of them become good friends. The story revolves around the hardships of both Bhima and Parvati, trying to make ends meet. The dreams of Bhima and Maya and the goodness of strangers like Chitra and Sunita. In a nutshell, the book is about human relationships, friendships, and feelings.

Bhima's character initially begins with the portrayal that she feels like she is carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders, but eventually, after meeting with Parvati, she lightens up and tries to live her life in the present. Bhima also learns to let go of things and stand up for herself. Parvati on the other hand has suffered so much that she does not trust anyone, especially men. The bond between Parvati and Bhima reaches a point where Parvati starts to believe people and realizes that there are more good people in this world than bad.

I liked the book because it was easy to read, and kept me glued to what might happen next. Although the entire story kept me on edge, I felt that Umrigar could have eliminated some chapters from the market scenes of Parvati and Bhima. Chitra and Sunita's characters went well with the story. It sure was an emotional roller coaster ride. There were many heartbreaking scenes as well. Overall, I enjoyed reading the book and am glad I picked it up.

Favorite lines from the book:

• Muslims killing Hindus, Hindus killing Sikhs, everybody killing Muslims, and now, this new madness unleashed upon these poor, desperate souls who flock to this city from villages in Bihar and UP searching for jobs.

• How many layers of hell are there? Bhima wonders.

• The ocean also lies at the bottom, all the broken things stuck in the sand. That, too, is the ocean.

• In her time, she has known the evil that men do. But nothing matches with the evil of the Gods, who, having created humanity, now spend their days teasing and testing it.

• There is only one true evil. And it is being poor. With money, a sinner can be worshipped as a saint. A murderer can be elected chief minister. A rapist can become a respectable family man. And the owner of a brothel can be a principal.

• It's not love. It's need. People just mix up the two.

• I have never seen the face of God. But the devil - I have seen him a thousand times.

• Death, when it comes, it is merciful. Peaceful.