Chadwick Boseman’s death a few days ago shook all of us. It was unexpected and it happened at a time, and in a year, that has been one hell of a ride.

As usual, when things like this happen, I find myself going down a rabbit hole, trying to find meaning and trying to get a better understanding of death and life. I start questioning everything. Why do good people die? Is it even worth it? Am I on the right path? What will people say about me when I am gone?…

I am sure a lot of you can relate to this.

And the book that came to my mind while thinking all these thoughts was “When breath becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi. So it made perfect sense to make it the book of the month this September.

I read this book a few years ago when Bill Gates recommended it on his Facebook page. I remember crying so hard after I finished reading the book.  It just felt soo incomplete and soo unfair. But that was what made it such a good book. It was real. It was life.

The book is a memoir by Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon, who got diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in his mid thirties. A time when he was arguably at the peak of his life and nearing the peak of his career.

It chronicles how he deals with this diagnosis, his thoughts on life, death, mortality, purpose and the value of time.

It is hard to pick a favorite quote from this book, but here is one that always evokes a lot of thinking and reflection:

“…the fact of death is unsettling. Yet there is no other way to live”

This book is really powerful and it is really relevant for this time and year. So join me in reading, and don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comment section as you read. I would love to hear them??

PS: If you are wanting to get a copy of this book and you have no idea how to, send me an email at Ifyroberts@gmail.com