White Coat Black Art 59:15 White Coat Black Art Book Talk
A book has the power to heal us. In this live event hosted by Dr. Brian Goldman and recorded at Hamilton Central Library, prominent doctors, nurses and audience members will talk about the books that have inspired them.
In Hamilton, Ontario, more than 170 book lovers had the opportunity to tune in to a special live recording of a library-centered episode of “White Coats, Black Art” on May 25th.
The Black Arts Book Talk, hosted by Dr. Brian Goldman at the White Court, Hamilton Public Library’s central branch, invited panelists and audience speakers to share recommendations for books that have had a positive impact on their mental or physical health.
Read more about White Coat, Black Art Book Talk's recommendations below:
Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civil Life by Eric Klinenberg
Sociologist Eric Klinenberg's “Places for the People” examines how shared spaces like libraries, churches and parks can help deepen social connections and overcome divisive conflicts.
“I'm very concerned these days about how isolating and divided our society has become,” said Dr. Jane Philpott, dean of health sciences at Queen's University, a former federal health minister and author of Health for All: A Doctor's Prescription for a Healthier Canada, who recommended the book.
Dr. Jane Philpott (right), dean of health sciences at Queen's University and former Minister of Health, endorsed “Places for the People” by Eric Klinenberg. (Penguin Random House/CBC)
“We need more spaces like libraries and parks. Even health centers could become more open spaces where people can gather.”
Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance and Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science, by Atul Gawande, PhD
Surgeon Dr Atul Gawande's 2002 book “Complications” explored the uncertainties that vex medical professionals: how involved patients should be in their treatment, and how junior doctors can gain experience without putting lives at risk.
Better, published in 2007 and also written by Gawande, examines how medical professionals are working to improve their skills while acknowledging the many mistakes inherent in the field.
“This book really shaped the way I wanted to start my career,” said Dr. Sheela Singh, professor and chair of the neurosurgery department at McMaster University, who recommended both books.
Dr. Sheela Singh, professor and chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at McMaster University, recommended Better and Complications by Dr. Atul Gawande. (Evan Cohn)
Singh cited shunt surgery as an example of how Gawande's book helped him find better solutions to everyday problems.
To reduce complications, Singh and her team suggested moving shunt procedures to earlier hours when operating rooms are at their cleanest and installing signs on operating room doors to indicate when procedures are in progress.
She said the “simple” intervention led the infection control team at Hamilton Health Sciences to praise Singh and his colleagues for halving shunt infection rates.
The Book of Boundaries by Melissa Urban
The Book of Boundaries by Melissa Urban helps readers set clear limits on the energy they expend serving the needs of others.
Sarah Fang, a registered nurse, author, and podcast host, recommended “The Book of Boundaries” by Melissa Urban. (Evan Cohn)
“My biggest weakness is that I take on too much and don't know how to say no,” said Sarah Phan, a nurse, author and podcast host who recommended the book.
“I think at the end of the day it's because we don't know how to draw boundaries with other people… That's why this book really resonated with me.”
The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama
Former US First Lady Michelle Obama's second book, “The Light We Carry,” offers readers candid, personal stories from her own life and offers guidance on how to adapt to change.
Amy Archibald Varley, a nurse, author and podcast host, recommended the book, which she read during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Events like the death of George Floyd in 2020 have brought uncertainty to her life, and reading Obama's book has taught Archibald Varley how to be more compassionate with herself.
Amy Archibald Varley, a nurse, author and podcast host, recommended Michelle Obama's “The Light We Carry.” (Evan Cohn)
She now starts her day very differently: by talking to herself in the mirror.
“[I] “I wake up and say, 'Good morning Amy, how are you? I feel amazing today.'”
The audience also shared their thoughts about the books that inspired them.
“Breath” by James Nestor
Breath, by James Nestor, takes an in-depth look at respiratory science, highlighting how nasal breathing can improve your physical and mental health.
“I experienced firsthand how the way you breathe can impact your health, your quality of life, your energy and your passion,” said Chris Eddy, an audience member at the library event who recommended the book.
Chris Eddy recommends “Breath” by James Nestor. (Evan Cohn)
Eddie read this book when he was leaving his corporate job.
Nestor's book taught Eddie to focus on breathing through his nose, and he still tapes his mouth shut before going to bed to improve his breathing.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Paul Kalanithi's When Breath Becomes Air follows a neurosurgeon's battle with stage four lung cancer and examines cancer treatment in the United States from the perspectives of both doctors and patients.
“This little book was extremely important to me. [on] “This was the exact moment in my cancer journey,” said audience member Leslie Vaughn, who wrote a testimonial. “I had been through four rounds of chemotherapy for advanced stage three ovarian cancer… it was life-shattering.”
Leslie Vaughn recommended “When Breath Becomes Air” by Dr. Paul Kalanithi. (Evan Cohn)
The book's message of resilience resonated with Vaughn, and she now goes on regular canoe trips with her aunt, Susan Barrecca.
Discovering Eden: A Life of Arctic River Rowing by Alex Hall
Discovering Eden is an autobiographical examination of river guide Alex Hall's life exploring the waterways of northern Canada.
Susan Barrecca, one of the audience members who recommended the book, was inspired by Hall's story of a blind man who became an avid river rafter.
Susan Barrecca recommends Discovering Eden by Alex Hall. (Evan Cohn)
“I discovered that Alex had zero tolerance for quail, so I started going to the gym four days a week,” Barrecca says, “I hired a CrossFit trainer to help with balance and strength, and I told Leslie we had to become river girls.”
Leslie and Susan have floated rivers in all seven states and three Canadian territories.
This is Euthanasia: A Doctor's Story of Helping Terminally Ill Patients by Dr. Stephanie Green
Canadian physician Stephanie Green's This is Assisted Dying is a research book on medical assisted dying (MAID) that helps readers understand the thinking behind MAID, exploring why people living with illness choose to end their own lives.
“It happened at a really difficult time in my life … my mother-in-law was dying of inoperable cancer,” said Annette Hamm, co-host of CHCH Hamilton's weekday morning show and audience member who recommended Green's book.
Annette Hamm, co-host of Hamilton CHCH's weekday morning show, recommended This is Assisted Dying by Dr. Stephanie Green. (Evan Cohn)
Although Ham's mother-in-law ultimately chose hospice care over MAID, the book helped her cope with her mother-in-law's journey through death.
“I realized that there is such a thing as a beautiful death.”
“Siddhartha” by Hermann Hesse
Hermann Hesse's ninth work, Siddhartha, is a 1922 novel about the eponymous protagonist who encounters the real-life Buddha during his journey to spiritual enlightenment.
One member of the audience, Ravi Selvaganapati, recited the novel after taking the entrance exam for one of India's prestigious engineering colleges.
“I was devastated when I failed the exam,” he said, adding that he learned from the painful experience.
Ravi Selvaganapati recommends Hermann Hesse's “Siddhartha.” (Evan Cohn)
Selvaganapathy now encourages people to focus on life's journey rather than individual destinations, “more like Indiana Jones or Jacques Cousteau than Alexander the Great.”
Looking for some powerful book recommendations? Check out the complete list of books recommended by audience members, panelists, and Hamilton Public Library staff at the White Coat, Black Art Book Talk.
