Books

Your favorite local bookstore will have these books available in-store or for ordering. Try your library too for physical copies (when they reopen) or digital copies from the library or other online services. If you use Amazon, please click here to order any of these books. Amazon donates a small percentage of all purchases made through this link to Ohio End of Life Options.

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande

“American medicine, Being Mortal reminds us, has prepared itself for life but not for death. This is Atul Gawande’s most powerful—and moving—book.” – Malcolm Gladwell

• Here’s a short interview and five-minute video with Dr. Gawande: 5 Questions to Ask at Life’s End.

Aging with a Plan by Sharona Hoffman

“This book offers a concise, comprehensive resource for middle-aged readers who are facing the prospects of their own aging and of caring for elderly relatives—an often overwhelming task for which little in life prepares us.” – Sharona Hoffman

• Here is more about the book and author, including a video of her lecture at The City Club of Cleveland.

Modern Death: How Medicine Changed the End of Life by Haider Warraich

“Dr. Warraich’s quest is remarkable: He wants us to confront the act of dying. A caring and thoughtful doctor, he also writes beautifully—drawing from his own patients and from statistics, medical ethics, literature, and the sciences.” – Siddhartha Mukherjee

• Here is an interview on NPR’s Fresh Air with Dr. Haider Warraich.

On My Own by Diane Rehm

“Rehm doesn’t have all the answers, nor does she pretend to. What she does have, as always, is a flurry of important questions, perfectly considered and potently posed.” – USA Today

When My Time Comes by Diane Rehm

Through interviews with terminally ill patients, and with physicians, ethicists, spouses, relatives, and representatives of those who vigorously oppose the movement, Rehm gives voice to a broad range of people who are personally linked to the realities of medical aid in dying.

• Read more about this book and listen to an audio clip here.

Wild and Precious Life by Deborah Ziegler

A memoir about the life, death and paradigm-shifting advocacy of Brittany Maynard, written by her mother.

• Find digital versions of the book and learn more about Deborah and her work here.

Extreme Measures: Finding a Better Path to the End of Life by Jessica Zitter

“Part memoir, part exposé, this book is an insider’s view of intensive care in America and its impact on how we die… A clarion call for end-of-life care that aligns with what each patient values most.” – Lucy Kalanithi

• Learn more about Dr. Zitter and her work, and download a discussion guide here.
• The short documentary from 2016, Extremis, features Dr. Jessica Zittner and is currently available on Netflix.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

“Thanks to When Breath Becomes Air, those of us who never met Paul Kalanithi will both mourn his death and benefit from his life. This is one of a handful of books I consider to be a universal donor—I would recommend it to anyone, everyone.”—Ann Patchett

• Read an article online by Dr. Paul Kalanithi in The New Yorker.

Choosing to Die: A Personal Story by Phyllis Shacter

“Phyllis Shacter courageously shares the first personal story ever written about Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED). This memoir and guidebook follows the journey she took with her husband, Alan, once he decided to VSED so he didn’t have to live into the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease.” — from the publisher

• Download a discussion guide and listen to an interview with Phyllis Shacter.

Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? By Roz Chast

“An amazing portrait of two lives at their end and an only child coping as best she can, Can’t We Talk about Something More Pleasant will show the full range of Roz Chast’s talent as cartoonist and storyteller.”— from the publisher

• Laugh and read all about Roz Chast at her website.