What is the Power List Reading?: Part 2

See Part 1 here

Brenna Rondeau: This may seem strange, but I recommend “Sex at Dawn: How We Mate, Why We Stray, and What It Means for Modern Relationships” by Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jetha. This is of course mainly about human sexuality, but the authors approach it in a heavily anthropologic way. I more so enjoyed the vignettes of human history and cultures outside of my western American culture. For example, there are points of discussion about matriarchal societies, as well as cultures in which children are raised by entire communities because paternity is not entirely certain. It is an excellent reminder that the way our society is structured now is not the only possible way nor necessarily the correct way.

Kalisha Hill: Specifically, a book all physicians should read: “Growing Physician Leaders” by Mark Hertling.

María del Rocío Martín López: “The Leader Who Had no Title” by Robin Sharma. Everybody can be a leader in their field and make a change! As scientists, leadership that seeks change and development must be a priority in our life.

Syed T. Hoda: Any book that reminds you of the fragility of human thought, emotion, and being a person. There is no scientist without the person. There is no Pathologist without the person. Feed your inner person with art, writing, music, and fascination endlessly and without dilution or restrictions. Currently I am steeped in the biography of the incredible musician Alice Coltrane entitled "Monument Eternal"; ask me next week and it will be something different!

Tahir Pillay: I would recommend "Chemistry for Breakfast: The Amazing Science of Everyday Life" by Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim. This is an engaging and accessible exploration of the chemistry behind daily routines and common experiences. Nguyen-Kim, a chemist and science communicator, delves into the molecular and chemical processes that underpin everyday activities, making complex scientific concepts understandable and fascinating for a general audience. The book takes readers on through a typical day, explaining the chemistry behind everything from brushing teeth and brewing coffee to cooking meals and even falling in love. Each chapter focuses on different aspects of daily life, breaking down the science in a way that is both informative and entertaining.

Anna Sarah Erem: “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman; “Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin; “Bad Blood” by John Carreyrou or/and “Bottle of lies” by Kathrine Eban.

Eric Daley: I am currently reading “Bad Code: Overcoming Bad Mental Code That Sabotages Your Life,” which I highly recommend. The author explores how the human brain is more powerful than any computer, and accessing that power requires intentional mental choices and tools. Negative mental code sends messages that hinder both personal and professional growth, ultimately proving destructive. In contrast, good mental code is positive, forward-thinking, and healthy, empowering motivation and change – essential qualities for leaders.

Richard Scolyer: Perhaps it is a bit controversial but I would suggest my autobiography, “Brainstorm,” which is due to be released shortly. I was diagnosed with a very poor prognostic form of glioblastoma (IDH wildtype unmethylated with a whole host of other adverse prognostic factors), in May 2023. Treatment and outcomes haven’t been improved in almost 20 years, and it is essentially incurable.

In contrast, in my field (melanoma) we have made incredible advances in the treatment of advanced stage melanoma patients over the past 10–15 years. Previously, 5-year survival rates were less than 5 percent, but now are more than 50 percent, principally because of breakthroughs in the use of immunotherapy. We have also proven that immunotherapy given before surgery improves response rates (as judged by pathological assessment) and survival in stage III melanoma patients. 

I am the first patient in the world to be treated with neoadjuvant combination immunotherapy to generate scientific data that may change the field. The scientific data that has already been generated from my tumor has sparked interest in the field and a clinical trial is currently being developed to test this in a robust manner. My book will be released on November 1, 2024.

Magdalena Czader: Walter Isaacson’s “The Code Breaker.” It is a fascinating biography of Jennifer Doudna, a Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry for work on gene editing. The book chronicles Doudna’s early interests and a complex road to a groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas system.

Saswati Das: "Deep Medicine: How Artificial Intelligence Can Make Healthcare Human Again" by Eric Topol is a book that I believe every physician/pathologist should read. This book offers a fascinating take at how AI can impact healthcare by giving doctors technology-enabled tools to ensure delivery of better patient care. Topol shares his insights on how AI can improve diagnostic precision, reduce the burden of administrative tasks, and empower physicians to concentrate on the human aspect of medicine. This book is a must read to comprehend future interaction of technology and healthcare.

Severino Rey Nodar: For those whose focus is endocrine pathology, just like myself, I highly recommend “Surgical Pathology of the Thyroid (Major Problems in Pathology Collection)” written by Virginia LiVolsi in 1990. I think all of us in endocrine pathology should read it.

Amal Shukri: "Atomic Habits" by James Clear is a must-read for scientists. The book delves into the science of habit formation and how small, consistent changes can lead to significant improvements over time.

Brittany Teeter: “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. It is a great book. Everyone should read it! 

Kelsey Hummel: "Being Mortal" by Atul Gawande explores a surgeon’s journey through end-of-life care with his patients and his father. Gawande discusses how the US medical system focuses on curing disease and prolonging life, raising important questions about the cost of this ideology. What is the impact on the patient? And on the healthcare system? When should we consider prioritizing quality of life over quantity of years?

The end of life forces us to ask hard questions about what we value. But we do not have to wait until then to reflect on these issues. Throughout my medical training, the pursuit of knowledge and skills to improve people's lives has been all-consuming. Yet, I frequently found myself so engulfed in my career that I overlooked the quality things that make life meaningful. No matter how much we, as scientists, strive to achieve our dreams and make medical advancements, we must always remind ourselves of our humanity and how we can nurture the values that make life worth living. 

Lois E. Rockson: “The Emperor of All Maladies” by Siddhartha Mukherjee. It is a well written narrative on cancer's impact on humanity. Mukherjee weaves poignant personal accounts of cancer’s impact with scientific findings and advancements in cancer detection and treatment.

Pierre Mainill-Varlet: I highly recommend “The Future of the Professions: How Technology Will Transform The Work Of Human Experts”, written by Richard Susskind and Daniel Susskind. This thought-provoking book sets out two technology-led futures for today’s professions. One of these hypothetical futures is simply a more efficient version of the reality we find ourselves in today, with professionals leveraging technology to streamline ways of working and boost productivity. The other hypothetical future is more transformational and depicts today’s professions being gradually replaced by systems and technologies. The authors theorize that, while both futures will likely exist, the second future will dominate in the long term. The book encourages us to consider how technology could transform the work of all professionals and what this means for the way we share our expertise.