Reading is one of the hobbies I've been lucky enough to upkeep while in pharmacy school. Any one in professional graduate school knows that its difficult to balance your school readings, with recreational reading. These four books are perfect for my fellow healthcare and science friends looking to learn outside their required readings.

1. The Disappearing Spoon By Sam Kean
This fun and witty book describes the mythology, art, medicine, history, etc. of the periodic table. I know quite a few of these stories left me shocked so you're guaranteed to be armed with plenty of fun facts for your next cocktail party.

2. Gut by Giulia Enders
Ever wonder how your gut works the way that it does? How it absorbs, how it functions, how there seem to be SO many problems with our guts in the western world? This book describes everything you could possibly want to know about your gut in easy-to-understand language and with some fun pictures. The gut is so much more important than we think about it in our everyday, time to give it the appreciation it deserves!

3. Heart Matters by Kathy Magliota
If you're looking for an inspiring, kick-ass, girl power memoir, this is the book for you. Dr.Magliota is among the small ranks of women cardiothoracic surgeons and she details all of her struggles and triumphs to getting there. A timely read considering the #thisiswhatasurgeonlookslike hashtag inspired by the Time Magazine women surgeons cover!

4. Dr.Mutter's Marvels by Cristin O'Keefe-Aptowicz
This book is one of my favorites by far, and it may be because it focuses a lot on my graduate school, Thomas Jefferson University! You'll be transported back to Philadelphia in the mid-nineteenth century where hand-washing wasn't enforced and medicine was pretty much whatever goes. If you're familiar with Philadelphia, you know the Mutter Museum contains Dr.Mutter's collection of medical marvels from his time as a surgeon. This story details how he went from surgeon, to museum inspiration and how his legacy has affected modern medicine.