Paul Kalanithi was a talented neurosurgeon when he was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer at the age of 36, he dies around a year or so later. During that time he wrote, but didn't complete, this book. His wife wrote the Epilogue. The book relates his journey from medical student to patient, while confronting issues about what constitutes a meaningful life. While obviously very sad, it's ultimately a life-affirming and optimistic book, in the manner of Atul Gawande and Oliver Sacks. Beautiful.