Summary
AsGrey’s Anatomyenters yet another hiatus before its 21st season, audiences who want more of the hospital drama should consider picking up these ten fiction and nonfiction books.Medical drama showshave been a staple of network television for decades now, butGrey’s Anatomyis the queen of the genre. Running since 2005, the ABC series has become the longest-running scripted primetime show and it doesn’t seem close to stopping.
Over the years,Grey’s Anatomyhas captured countless different facets of life as a doctor. ThroughMeredith Grey’s character, audiences have experienced the highs and lows of being a surgeon, and the cruel realities of modern medicine. On the flip side, the medical dramacan be fun too. The show’s constant drama and romance are part of what makes it iconic. Although itis between seasons, there are several books in the romance, drama, and memoir genres ideal for anyGrey’s Anatomylover.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 Ending Explained
With a wildfire crossover with Station 19, things in the Grey’s Anatomy season 20 finale heated up quickly, with big reveals and a cliffhanger ending.
10How To Save A Life: The Inside Story Of Grey’s Anatomy: Lynette Rice
A Behind The Scenes Look At Grey’s Anatomy
Considering how popularGrey’s Anatomyis, it’s no surprise that books have been published about the television series.How to Save a Life: The Inside Story of Grey’s Anatomyis just one example. The 2021 book isa nonfiction exploration of the history ofGrey’s Anatomy.The book uses interviews and behind-the-scenes intel to craft a thorough summary of the drama from its origins in 2005 to its current status as a television giant.
To read this book is like taking a trip down memory lane, reliving all the most memorable and exciting moments from the series.
What makesHow to Save a Lifesuch a great read forGrey’s Anatomyfans is its in-depth analysis. To read this book is like taking a trip down memory lane, reliving all the most memorable and exciting moments from the series. Plus, Riceexplores key on-screen moments but also dives into the drama taking place behind the camera. In many ways,How to Save a Lifeis the perfect handbook for theGrey’s Anatomyfan, and will teach viewers everything they ever wanted to know about the series.
9When Breath Becomes Air: Paul Kalanithi
A Doctor’s Journey From Neurosurgeon To Patient
Another nonfiction book that is perfect forGrey’s Anatomylovers isWhen Breath Becomes Airby Paul Kalanithi. This 2016 memoir tells the story of Kalanithi’s lifea ashe goes from ambitious medical student to seasoned neurosurgeon to cancer patient. Though Kalanithi’s story is sad, it is also moving and thought-provoking. It is a meditation on what it means to live a good life, and an exploration of the dynamics between doctor and patient.
Paul Kalanithi’s memoir parallels the storiesGrey’s Anatomyhas been telling for twenty years. LikeGrey’s Anatomy,When Breath Becomes Airshowcases the vulnerable, human sides of doctors. Furthermore, it shines a light on the sometimes thin line between doctor and patient. CountlessGrey’s Anatomycharacters have become patients over the years, including neurosurgeon Derek Sheppard, and in some ways, Kalanithi’s story is Derek’s story come to life.
8Flight Season: Marie Marquardt
Two Teens Learn About Life From A Hospital Patient
For thoseGrey’s Anatomyfans who are younger than average, the young adult novelFlight Seasonis the perfect read. The contemporary romance book follows formerbest friends TJ and Vivi who are stuck in the heart ward of a hospital for a whole summer, babysitting a problem patient, named Angel. Despite their complicated past, TJ and Vivi overcome their issues with the help of Angel’s wise life lessons.
Mixing medicine and personal relationships,Flight Seasonis the perfect young adult version ofGrey’s Anatomy.Although TJ and Vivi are not doctors,their interactions with Angel are reminiscent of Meredith or her peers learning more about themselves through their patients.Plus, the book includes romance in a hospital setting, which is key inGrey’s Anatomy.Overall, Marie Marquardt’s novelFlight Seasonis a good pick.
7Perfectly Undone: Jamie Raintree
A Doctor Faces Unresolved Family Trauma
AlthoughGrey’s Anatomycan be funny and sweet, it has plenty of dark moments as well. Jamie Raintree’sPerfectly Undoneexemplifies these moments completely. This adult contemporary romance centers onDr. Dylan Michels who, after refusing her boyfriend’s proposal, must finally face the lingering traumaof her sister’s premature death.Things get more complicated when Dylan’s boyfriend reveals a secret of his own, leaving Dylan questioning everything.
Ultimately,Perfectly Undoneis like a spinoff episode ofGrey’s Anatomy.
Perfectly Undonehas it all when it comes toGrey’s Anatomysimilarities. There’s a doctor main character, a complicated romance, unresolved family issues, and secrets strewn throughout. The cherry on top is that the book takes place in Portland, Oregon, just one state away fromGrey’s Anatomy’sSeattle. Ultimately,Perfectly Undoneis like a spinoff episode ofGrey’s Anatomy.Though there is a new doctor and a new location, the drama and hospital ambiance are exactly the same.
6The Worst Guy: Kate Canterbary
Two Doctors Form A Tense, Steamy Bond
Despite its hospital setting,Grey’s Anatomynever holds back in the romance department, and this next book is similar.The Worst Guyby Kate Canterbary focuses on Sebastian,a doctor whose life is turned upside down by the appearance of a new surgeon named Sara. Though Sebastian and Sara are prone to fighting, they’re even more prone to being attracted to each other. In this way, the doctors must find a way to be civil and be together without losing their jobs or minds.
The Worst Guyis the best choice for those who loveGrey’s Anatomy’sromances. Just like in the TV series,the characters inThe Worst Guymay be in a hospital, but that does not stop themfrom engaging in their secret love affair. Their intense dynamic is thrilling, and is only made more intense by their proximity in the workplace. In the end,The Worst Guyis like the enemies-to-lovers romanceGrey’s Anatomynever had.
The Worst Guyis the second in Kate Canterbary’sVital Signsduology centering on doctor romances. The first book is calledBefore Girl.
5Hotshot Doc: R.S. Grey
A Surgeon Becomes Her Crush’s Assistant
Another steamy option for romance lovers is R.S. Grey’sHotshot Doc.The story followsa young woman who, after her boss retires, takes a position as the surgical assistant to her crush, Dr. Russell. Though he has a reputation for being cold and cruel, the main character can’t help but be drawn in by him, leading to a messy and passionate affair.
Although R.S. Grey has a number of doctor-centered romance books on her resume,Hotshot Docis one of her stand-outs.Hotshot Docmay not have the same level of seriousness asGrey’s Anatomydoes, but their medical romances are easily comparable. In many ways,Hotshot Docis reminiscent of the early days ofGrey’s,where McDreamy and McSteamy caused romantic chaosaround Seattle Grace. In this way,Grey’s Anatomyfans definitely have to check outHotshot Docand R.S. Grey’s similar titles.
4The Queen Of Hearts: Kimmery Martin
Doctor Best Friends Reexamine Their Pasts
ThoughGrey’s Anatomyis famous for its romantic plots, friendship is just as important. A book that perfectly represents this is Kimmery Martin’sThe Queen of Hearts.Released in 2018, this contemporary novelfollows Emma and Zadie, two women who have been best friends since medical school. However, when a familiar face returns to their lives, the duo must reflect on past events and uncover secrets they’ve long been keeping from each other.
The Queen of Heartshas all the right commonalities withGrey’s Anatomy,but the most important is friendship. The connection between Emma and Zadie brings to mind unforgettableGrey’s Anatomypairings like Meredith and Cristinaor Derek and Mark. On top of that,the introduction of a familiar face from the past is a common plot device onGrey’s,with characters like Addison, or even Mark. Overall,The Queen of Heartshas the perfect amount of medicine mixed with drama.
3Doctors: Erich Segal
Best Friends Become Doctors Together
A novel that was likeGrey’s AnatomybeforeGrey’s Anatomyeven existed is Erich Segal’s book,Doctors.The 1988 book followsBarney Livingston and Laura Castellano, neighbors and best friends who enter medical schooland learn to become doctors together. Over the course of decades, readers see how Barney and Laura’s relationship changes, along with their careers.
AlthoughDoctorscame long beforeGrey’s Anatomy,the two definitely share some key themes. Although Meredith and Derek are on different career tracks when they meet,Grey’s Anatomyshowcases how their relationship grows and changes over many years in the same way that Barney and Laura’s doesinDoctors. Furthermore,Doctorsincludes a similar ensemble of doctors just likeGrey’s Anatomyhas. IfGrey’s Anatomytook place in the 1980s, this is probably what it would look like.
2This Is Going To Hurt: Secret Diaries Of A Junior Doctor: Adam Kay
A Doctor Journals His Medical Experiences
One final nonfiction book that is great for audiences who love the medical side ofGrey’s Anatomyis Adam Kay’s memoir,This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor.Kay wrote the book in between shifts as a junior doctor with the UK’s NHS. It includesfunny, heartwarming, disgusting, and tragic stories witnessed by Kay himself, giving a sneak peek at what it is truly like to be a doctor.
This is Going to Hurtis a top pick forGrey’s Anatomylovers because it is essentially the series in real life. While there is likely less romance and personal drama, thebook offers the same fascinating problems that come with being a doctor.From patient care to medical mistakes, Kay sums it all up into one emotionally riveting book. For those missingGrey’s Anatomy’sunique medical cases,This is Going to Hurtis the book for you.
This is Going to Hurtreceived a TV adaptation of the same name produced by the BBC and starring Ben Whishaw.
1The House Of God: Samuel Shem
A Satirical Look At Medical Training
The final book forGrey’s Anatomyfans is likely the most unique of all.The House of Godis a satiricalnovel written in 1978 that follows the horrible conditions and experience of training as a medical intern. Though written to be raunchy and extreme,The House of Godoffers some interesting insight into medical training and the logic behind it.
The House of Godis more similar toGrey’s Anatomythan one might think. Both are stories centered on medicine and medical professionals, but they are stretched and dramatized with fiction. ThoughGrey’s Anatomytakes a more dramatic stance andThe House of Godis more humorous, both complete the same goal. They are entertaining and somewhat informative looks at the reality of being a doctor.The House of Godis a renowned piece of medical fiction, and therefore, is a great read after watchingGrey’s Anatomy.
Grey’s Anatomy
Cast
A high-intensity medical drama which follows Meredith Grey and the team of doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial, who are faced with life-or-death decisions on a daily basis. They seek comfort from one another, and, at times, more than just friendship. Together they discover that neither medicine nor relationships can be defined in black and white.
