Books Like When Breath Becomes Air

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi has a particular pull. A neurosurgeon diagnosed with terminal cancer writes about what makes life worth living, right up until the end.

What tends to stick with readers is its emotional, thought-provoking and memoir feel. Short, unbearably honest, and worth every difficult page. Below are 7 books that carry that feeling in different ways, matched on shared mood, themes and reading experience. When Breath Becomes Air is a short, easy-paced read (reading level: beginner-friendly), so we've noted where each pick is quicker, slower or heavier.

The book you loved

When Breath Becomes Air

Paul Kalanithi

7 books you might enjoy

1.
Man's Search for Meaning
Viktor Frankl
Like When Breath Becomes Air, Man's Search for Meaning is thought-provoking. Both carry the #profound tag. It's a more demanding read than When Breath Becomes Air.
Short · Easy pace · Easy to follow
Explore this book →Books like Man's Search for Meaning
2.
Me Before You
Jojo Moyes
If it was the emotional side of When Breath Becomes Air you loved, Me Before You delivers it too. Both carry the #tearjerker tag. It runs a bit longer than When Breath Becomes Air.
Medium · Fast pace · Beginner-friendly
Explore this book →Books like Me Before You
3.
Educated
Tara Westover
Educated shares When Breath Becomes Air's emotional and thought-provoking appeal. Both carry the #memoir tag. It runs a bit longer than When Breath Becomes Air.
Medium · Fast pace · Beginner-friendly
Explore this book →Books like Educated
4.
The Diary of a Young Girl
Anne Frank
If it was the emotional and thought-provoking side of When Breath Becomes Air you loved, The Diary of a Young Girl delivers it too. It runs a bit longer than When Breath Becomes Air.
Medium · Easy pace · Beginner-friendly
Explore this book →Books like The Diary of a Young Girl
5.
The Glass Castle
Jeannette Walls
The Glass Castle shares When Breath Becomes Air's emotional appeal. Both carry the #memoir tag. It runs a bit longer than When Breath Becomes Air.
Medium · Fast pace · Beginner-friendly
Explore this book →Books like The Glass Castle
6.
Born a Crime
Trevor Noah
Born a Crime shares When Breath Becomes Air's emotional appeal. Both carry the #memoir tag. It runs a bit longer than When Breath Becomes Air.
Medium · Fast pace · Beginner-friendly
Explore this book →Books like Born a Crime
7.
Shoe Dog
Phil Knight
Shoe Dog shares When Breath Becomes Air's emotional appeal. Both carry the #memoir tag. It runs a bit longer than When Breath Becomes Air.
Medium · Fast pace · Beginner-friendly
Explore this book →Books like Shoe Dog