2021: Ugghhhh devastating / incredibly well-written / heart-breaking / life-affirming

A fabulous, poetic, meditative memoir that is not for the faint of heart. Dr. Kalanithi GOES there, and forces readers to reflect upon their own mortality. For example, he poses the question: if you knew you were going to die at some point in the next year, would you and your wife get pregnant? Would you rather have a little piece of you live on, and be there for your wife when you couldn't? Or would you not want to put the pressure of having to deal with a newborn and a dying spouse on one person?

I'm thrilled to see that Dr. Lucy Kalanithi, whose words and editing deserve almost as much praise as Dr. Paul's do, is hosting her own podcast now and continuing his great work. Perhaps because I read this on the precipice of my own upcoming life transition did it affect me so. Bring some tissues for the epilogue.