When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

‘When Breath Becomes Air’ is author Paul Kalanithi’s unfinished memoir. Paul Kalanithi was a neurosurgeon who at age 36 was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. The book chronicles his life through his school and college days, his internship, his marriage, and his desires and frustrations of becoming a new father. He seemed to have it all, then his diagnosis is made known and treatments began. Although he never gave up, he never gave in, even when the pain overtook. His main question ‘What makes life worth living even in the face of death?

Paul Kalanithi was not only a brilliant heart surgeon, but a phenomenal writer. Once he received his diagnosis, his writing took on a different purpose. Although his story remains unfinished due to his death in 2015, he gives us an insight to his joys and his pain throughout his short life. I thoroughly enjoyed reading his words of wisdom. His story of being a doctor turned patient, and his struggles with both, were incredibly insightful. ‘When Breath Becomes Air’ is a very poignant story about love, life and death that will bring tears to your eyes and joy to heart. A must read!