5 books to read in 2022

If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to read more in 2022, we’ve got you covered. The DO searched the internet and book lists to find five well-regarded reads that are highly relevant to DOs and osteopathic medical students in 2022. Two of the books below center on fictional pandemics, while one examines the health impacts of COVID-19. Rounding out the list are books offering new insights on the impact of trauma and a fresh look at the history of American health care.

Bonus: The January edition of The DO Book Club includes three additional books recommended for 2022 by our books columnist Daniel J. Waters, DO, MA: Lightning Flowers: My Journey to Uncover the Cost of Saving a Life by Katherine E. Standefer; Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley (1818 edition); and The C-L Psychiatrist by Omar Mirza, DO. The full article has detailed reviews of these three books.

Inflamed: Deep Medicine and the Anatomy of Injustice by Raj Patel and Rupa Marya

New York Times bestselling author Raj Patel and physician, activist and co-founder of the Do No Harm Coalition Rupa Marya team up to uncover the links between health and structural injustices. Inflamed explores the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on racial disparities, the rising number of inflammatory illnesses, mass uprisings around the world and more. The book also takes readers on a tour of the human body while highlighting the connection between our biological systems and the inequalities of both our political and economic systems. Inflamed seeks to heal not only our bodies, but also the world.

Emotional Inheritance: A Therapist, Her Patients and the Legacy of Trauma by Galit Atlas

Due to be published on Jan. 25, 2022, this book sheds light on generational trauma and the effect it has on our lives. Atlas combines patient stories, personal stories and decades of research to help readers identify the connections between our individual life struggles and the “emotional inheritance” we all carry.

Doctors and Friends by Kimmery Martin

Doctors and Friends explores the lives of three female physicians who have been close friends since medical school. After reuniting for a trip to Spain, the outbreak of a rapidly spreading virus throws the world into chaos. The book’s main characters—Hannah, Compton and Kira—must deal with impact of this virus, both personally and professionally. Although the book was published in 2021, it was written before COVID-19. Doctors and Friends combines wit, poignancy and relatable characters in a story that elicits both tears and laughter.

Exploring American Healthcare through 50 Historic Treasures by Tegan Kehoe

Over the course of 50 chapters, along with 50 photographs, Exploring American Healthcare through 50 Historic Treasures highlights museum artifacts that tell the story of both famous and ordinary people’s experiences with health care throughout American history. This book also covers famous moments in medicine, including the discovery of penicillin. Each artifact tells a unique story and provides clues as to how its users and creators approached fundamental questions in health. Exploring American Healthcare through 50 Historic Treasures is due to be released on Feb. 15, 2022.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Station Eleven tells the story of the Great Lakes region before and after a fictional swine flu pandemic has ravaged the world’s population, killing most of the Earth’s inhabitants. The book follows a group of nomads as they travel around the region. Originally published in 2014, Station Eleven has recently been adapted into a miniseries on HBO Max. The series premiered on Dec. 16, 2021, and is now available for streaming. Station Eleven has sold over one million copies and is a “can’t miss” story for 2022. Read a longer review of Station Eleven by The DO’s books columnist from November 2021 here.