Monday, October 8, 2012

Binge-reading: Josh Bazell's Beat the Reaper, and David Sedaris' Naked

SO FAR, SO GOOD. Was able to finish two non-medical books in a row while I'm in Rehab. There's not much to do—and even if there is, I'm not yet in the mood.

I call this phenomenon binge-reading, which happens after prolonged abstinence from tackling—I like that word—non-medical literature. Doesn't help my eyes at all.

MY FRIEND Leeca Caro recommended Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell. Two main reasons why I liked the book: (1) the author took BA English in college before going to med school in Columbia (pretty much like my story), and (2) the novel is about a doctor who was once affiliated with the mafia. I also highly value people's book suggestions. They fact that they take the extra mile to tell me something's worth reading means it has to be worthwhile.



Peter Brown is an internal medicine resident who hates working long hours but has to do it anyway. He deals with clueless medical students, attending physicians who only spend a couple of hours a week in the hospital, and his former bestfriend Skinflick who's out to kill him.

The book is engaging and laugh-out-loud hilarious, but lots of expletives there, so be careful. Reading it was like listening to my stressed blocmates curse in the call room. The final scene where Dr. Brown was trapped inside a freezer and how he managed to get out, thanks to a practical knowledge of anatomy—boy, that was original. I wish Hollywood would make a movie out of it. I hear Leonardo diCaprio is interested in playing the part.

.  .  .

DAVID SEDARIS' Naked is a collection of autobiographical essays. Naked, which appears as the final chapter of the book, is about the author's experience in a nudist camp.

Sedaris talks a lot about his family from whom he got his craziness. The guy is witty in so many levels. It's a shame I didn't get his autograph when he visited the country some time ago.

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2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

do you have a copy of beat the reaper? :) based from how you described it, it looks interesting. im planning to read it after pedia :D -AA

Tue Oct 09, 10:13:00 PM GMT+8  
Blogger Lance said...

I still have Leeca's copy. I'm sure she'll lend it to you.

Wed Oct 10, 05:12:00 PM GMT+8  

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