Book reviews
It seems we are all in need of some healing. And I guess this is always true, to some degree, but now probably more than ever. Thinking about it, a few links that might help. From life writing through the practice of breathing to creative work and choosing joy! Continue reading Choosing Joy! Friday Assorted Links #17
It has been difficult week, I think for many? I found respite participating, entirely online, in Conrad’s Literary Festival, that takes place each fall in my hometown, Krakow, Poland. This year, the festival is entirely online, and has an ambitious list of guests. Continue reading Friday Assorted Links #16
It is raining all day in Philly today. So, let’s start with some new books! Here are my favorite links of this week. Enjoy the weekend! Continue reading Friday Assorted Links #15
The idea of what a brain is and what it does has drastically expanded over the last few decades. During my medical school training (mid-90s) we learned nothing about the brain’s plasticity (then an unknown concept to me) and focused on studying its anatomy and physiology that was mostly static. “Not much changes over time, and if does, it is usually a loss” – was … Continue reading The Brain and Neuroplasticity.
School starts soon for some, and many parents are worried about the educational experience associated with remote learning. Here is a fantastic article on The Importance of Becoming a Self-Directed Lifelong Learner by David Handel, MD. He talks about meta-thinking and learning from first principles. Worth reading! My 14 y/o daughter ran home the other day convinced she just saw the Asian giant “murder” hornet. … Continue reading Friday Assorted Links #6
Most of us have a narrow view of trauma. We think of trauma as an extreme, eruptive and dramatic experience. It comes to mind when we hear about acts of violence, natural disasters or loss of loved ones. Yes, this is trauma. No doubt. But trauma has also an unfamiliar face. One that is subtler, less ostensible, and often unrecognized even by those who are … Continue reading Cancer and the Experience of Trauma.
A new book by neuroscientist and philosopher, Sam Harris: “Making Sense. Conversations on Consciousness, Morality and the Future of Humanity.” You may know him from his popular podcast under the same name. Best known in the US for her Neapolitan Quartet novels (you can also see the TV adaption by HBO), Ellena Ferrante’s new novel, “The Lying Life of Adults” is coming out on Sept. … Continue reading Friday Assorted Links #5 (all books)
While in his late 50s, my dad was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). His course of illness was rocky. He spent a few tough years in and out of hospitals. He died suddenly, at 62, because of an intracranial bleed when MDS transformed itself into acute leukemia – a common pathway (I wrote about it here). During his illness he was under the care of … Continue reading Dr. Azra Raza: is this time to change the way we fight cancer?
The iconic and longtime host of “Jeopardy!” announced in March 2019 that he was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. His course has been rocky; interspersed with some periods when the disease was under control and he felt optimistic, and some when he did not feel well and suffered bouts of depression and severe pain. But he never stopped working. Even during the pandemic, when … Continue reading Today is Alex Trebek’s 80th birthday.
Marcin Chwistek, MD 