The June edition of Monthly Musings on American Healthcare kicked off with a series of articles and podcasts about current and upcoming books. So, I was curious to know know if readers of this newsletter make time for reading fiction and/or nonfiction. Here are the results:
My thoughts: I’m impressed that readers of Monthly Musings consume equal parts fiction and nonfiction books—both in high quantities.
In my recent interview with physician and author Abraham Verghese on the Fixing Healthcare podcast, he noted that the best leaders he has known all read fiction. He pointed out how it can expand horizons and offer unique insights into life.
Thanks to al who voted! To participate in future surveys, and for access to timely news and opinion on American healthcare, sign up for my free (and ad-free) newsletter Monthly Musings on American Healthcare.
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Dr. Robert Pearl is the former CEO of The Permanente Medical Group, the nation’s largest physician group. He’s a Forbes contributor, bestselling author, Stanford University professor, and host of two healthcare podcasts. Pearl’s newest book, “Uncaring: How the Culture of Medicine Kills Doctors & Patients,” is available now. All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.
Though I have several favorites across these two genres, the pair that stands out to me now includes Abraham Verghese’s first novel “Cutting For Stone” and a brilliant nonfiction work called “The Leadership Challenge” by Kouzes and Posner.
A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffet was a great fiction book that transported me to warmer place with every page as I sat reading in the frigid Michigan winter last year. I would love to find books in that similar vein. As for nonfiction there have been different books at different times and I enjoy biographies learning from others the most. But, the first one that fell in my lap that opened my eyes to just thinking different was How to Win Friends and Influence People. A classic that I use strategies to build relationships with others to this day.