This year's summer reading selection promises to create discussions by questioning the medicalization of end of life decisions.
The Carolina Summer Reading Program announced its selection of Atul Gawande’s book, “Being Mortal,” Thursday. According to a UNC news release regarding the book choice, the decision to pick Gawande’s book was made by a nine-person panel made of equal parts faculty, staff and students.
Senior Arvind Krishnamurthy was part of the selection committee that picked “Being Mortal.” He said he was inspired to join the committee after facilitating conversations about summer reading books as a Residence Advisor.
“I saw the impact a summer reading book could have,” Krishnamurthy said. “That experience prompted me to want to give back by being on the committee.”
Krishnamurthy said the summer reading program helps students grow as they enter UNC.
“I think one of the fundamental parts … about college is you shouldn’t be the same person when you leave college as when you got to college,” he said. “I think one thing the summer reading book can do is to use the platform of the University to change students.”
Department of American Studies professor Tim Marr was the chairperson of the book selection committee. He said “Being Mortal” made such a good summer reading selection because of its ability to spur discussions.
“A good summer reading book is one that challenges people to think in new ways about things they might not have thought of before,” Marr said. “’Being Mortal’ fits the bill because it’s focused on what qualities we value in comprising a good life.”
“It promotes dialogue on how we must work together to evolve practices to enhance our capacity to understand the deep meanings of life and give it dignity and integrity for all people till they live to their last end.”
