“What is the meaning of life?”

When Breath Becomes Air is a memoir by Paul Kalanithi. Paul Kalanithi was a very successful person, had a loving wife, completed multiple degrees, and won multiple awards. He was a neurosurgeon, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the peak of his medical career. He decided to write this book in months preceding his death, when he was already terminal. He thought he can thus make an important contribution to the society. Readers are invited into his journey that intertwines the realms of medicine, mortality, and the search for meaning in life. His memoir serves not only as a personal testament but also as a guide for readers to contemplate their own lives and values. It challenges readers to reflect on their priorities and aspirations, urging everyone to live life with a purpose.

Through his introspective journey, Kalanthi explores literature and philosophy, seeking answers and understanding of life’s toughest questions. He faces mortality with courage. He is a doctor who transitions from treating patients to becoming one. He thus provides a unique perspective on illness and healing. He shares his experiences navigating the medical system from both sides of the hospital system. He sheds light on the medical school experience and the life of a medical professional. Additionally, central to Kalanithi’s narrative, is his relationship with his wife, Lucy. Their love, their journey together in the face of realities of illness and mortality, underscores the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Through this story, we are reminded of the power of human connections, life’s fragility, and the importance of embracing each moment. Reading this book is truly an exercise in empathy. It encourages us to contemplate the legacy we wish to leave behind. Kalanithi reminds us to live fully, love deeply, and seek meaning in every breath we take.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.