To most people (and, to some extent, scientists as well), despite what we’ve learned over the years, the human body is a complex organism. In his book, This Book May Save Your Life: Everyday Health Hacks to Worry Less and Live Better, Dr. Karan Rajan does an excellent job in demystifying the human body with which we feel we are intimately familiar, but about which we really don’t know as much as we should.

While any discussion of the human body is normally a sober one, Dr. Rajan takes a more humous approach, which, to my mind, makes what he says much more approachable as an average reader. Each chapter is dedicated to a different part of the human body and has a very witty chapter title, such as “Privates on Parade: The infernal genius of genitals.” As you can see, Dr. Rajan has a wicked sense of humor.

I was disappointed to see that the book didn’t have an index (at least, not in my advance reader copy) and I think that takes away from its overall utility, but I was pleased to see that it has a very nice Further Reading section, full of references that readers can explore the various topics in more depth.

I’d recommend this book to anyone who is interested in finding out more about their bodies. That said, I’m not sure that those with an extensive background in medicine will gain any additional knowledge, but I, as someone with a working knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, found it worthwhile and a delight to read.

5/5 stars

[Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for my honest and objective opinion which I have given here.]

This Book May Save Your Life is a pithy, sensible, and humorous book of health advice written and curated by Dr. Karan Rajan. Released 9th Jan 2024 from Penguin Random House on their Rodale Books imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

The author has a knack for relating relatively complex physiological and biological concepts in an accessible manner. The chapters are arranged roughly by system. He discusses the digestive system, brain and neurology, heart, lungs, skeleton, the physical senses (each in its own chapter), reproductive system, sleep (fascinating content here), the immune system, and the end of life.

There is a scientifically correct bibliography and links lists which will give interested readers many hours of further reading.

Four stars. This is not the -only- book on which readers should rely, but it could maintain most reader's interest long enough to be a valuable (and entertaining) resource with tips and information which actually could make a difference in their understanding of how their bodies work (and how to know when something is wrong).

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Fascinating facts about bodies that range from fun to gross to terrifying. If you've spent any amount of time going on a WebMD spiral, it's likely you already know some of the content, but there were still some interesting things I learned, and even if I already knew something, it's always good to have health advice reinforced and reminders for why it's important to do things like stay hydrated and sleep well. I'll likely be incorporating some of Dr. Rajan's advice into my life going forward.

Disclaimer that I don't work in the medical field, so I can't comment on the accuracy of the information presented, but to me, Dr. Rajan's medical advice seemed solid and grounded in research.

3.5

A common sense look at the mish mash of flesh, blood and bones that make up the human body with practical advice of how to keep it working once the warranty has expired. But since common sense is really not so common, be sure to gift a copy of this awesome and entertaining book to all of those teens and twenty somethings who think they know best. Rajan's book is easy to follow and the fact that he's a tiktok star will surely impress those younger than 30.

I have been following Dr. Raman on Instagram since the pandemic. I find his style approachable, understandable and very helpful. He doesn’t shy away from medical topics that most do not talk about and offers solutions that everyone can do. Thank you!. This book is written in the same educational, humourous and approachable style that his instagram posts are. I really enjoyed the learning about the organs and parts of the body and how complex they can be. His easy “health hacks” were eye opening and easy to implement. Thank you for writing a book on the human body, health and hacks that we can all understand.

Told with humor and a sense of awe and wonder at the human body, the author parses through his knowledge of anatomy as a general surgeon. Reminiscent of ‘Why do humans fart?’, this was an informative and funny read.

A deep dive into our body systems from a doctor’s perspective. Along the way, Rajan gives helpful tips to “save” you (a play on the title). I thought there was a lot of interesting stuff in this book! Rajan has a very conversational, easy to understand way of presenting the material. My biggest critique is that on a lot of ideas, he does not go super in depth, probably due to page constraints. There were a couple times that I wish there had been more. Despite that, an interesting, informative read!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Informative and highly entertaining "This Book May Save Your Life" is a quick read for any busy inhabitant of the 21st century who would like to become more cognizant about how our body works. Dr. Rajan's sense of humor carries the book throughout the chapters with such ease, that you don't even realize how much you're learning. And "learning while having fun" is one of the best way to retain information in my opinion. The book is organized like a manual of anatomy, with each chapter covering one major system; exceptions are the chapters on the reproductive function and excretion (smooshed in one chapter), and the chapter on sleep (which I agree warranted its own chapter, although it may have followed more naturally after the nervous system, or vision). The book focuses on general, but well documented advice, so don't come looking for miracle smoothies and supplements here. The tried and true ways of prolonging your healthy life are explained against a background of how the different parts of our body work, and especially backfire. A bright light is shone on the shortcomings of this highly evolved human body.

At times this bright light and the humor poked at the failings of the body felt a bit too harsh, I will admit. The immune system isn't quite as faulty as the author makes it to be, nor is it quite as unfathomable either. The chapter on how our body protects itself was actually one of the weaker ones, and I suspect that was because it isn't Dr. Rajan's specialty. Another chapter where I believe more information was needed was the one dealing with the reproductive system. The role of the prostate was muddled and glossed over a lot: for e.g. the seminal fluid the prostate produces is absolutely necessary for sperm to survive, and the prostate location below the urinary bladder is, unlike the author's suggestion, not random; the prostate is meant to prevent leakage of the bladder contents during intercourse. The later-in-life urination problems that men face are irrelevant, considering most men reproduce and pass on their genes by the time that becomes of problem. Having worked on prostate cancer, I always find it a bit funny how few men understand the role of the prostate. The chapter on reproductions should have also discussed pregnancy more, a phenomenon that can after all affect half of the world's population. A few details on how to prepare for a healthy pregnancy, how to recognize potential signs of dangerous conditions like pre-eclampsia or liver toxicity, would have been helpful. But again, I guess this was far removed from Dr. Rajan's specialty (as evidence by the incorrect statement that human birth is dependent on medical assistance--just watch Dr. Danielle Jones for discussions on when birthing at home is and isn't advisable).

Overall though, I've had lots of fun reading this book, and as someone who majored in biology, I learned a lot. I had a hard time putting the book down, as the writing style is easy to follow (and like I mentioned, engaging). And the final chapter on death was a perfect way to end this book. A short discussion on donating organs, not just the body to science, is the only thing I believe it lacked. I highly recommend this brief journey through current anatomical knowledge to everyone over the age of 14. Lord knows the public education system fails many people in many countries. This book may just bridge the gap, for those in need of both basic, and more advanced information. Great debut of a great science communicator.

The book is packed with fascinating insights and health tips, all grounded in Dr. Karan's years of experience working on hospital wards. What sets this book apart is its ability to demystify complex medical concepts and present them in a relatable and humorous manner. Dr. Karan's writing is approachable, making it easy for readers of all backgrounds to understand and appreciate the wonders of the human body.

Throughout the book, Dr. Karan covers a wide range of topics, from the dangers of plucking nose hairs to the importance of not holding in a fart. He provides practical advice for everyday life, such as tapping into natural reflexes to combat stress and managing pain through simple mind tricks. These insights are not only useful but also delivered with a healthy dose of humor, making the book an enjoyable read.

One of the book's strengths is its ability to debunk common myths and misconceptions about health and the human body. Dr. Karan separates fact from fiction, offering evidence-based information that empowers readers to make informed decisions about their health.

Additionally, the book is filled with relatable anecdotes and stories from Dr. Karan's experiences in the medical field, which add a personal touch to the narrative. These stories provide a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of medical professionals and highlight the resilience of the human body.

"This Book May Save Your Life" is a delightful blend of humor, science, and practical advice that will leave readers both entertained and better informed about their bodies. Dr. Karan's passion for demystifying the complexities of human biology shines through, and his book serves as a friendly and accessible guide to understanding and caring for our remarkable bodies.

I highly recommend "This Book May Save Your Life" to anyone interested in health, wellness, and the fascinating intricacies of the human body. Dr. Karan Rajan's witty and informative approach makes learning about our bodies an enjoyable and enlightening experience.

This is a must-read book about the human body and how it works. No part is off limits. Factual and humorous, this eye opening and easily digestible book about the inner workings of the body breaks down barriers that many avoid in conversations with family and friends. We are who we are, and the more we learn about what works and doesn’t work for our bodies, the better off we all are. Dr. Rajan lays it out for us, how our bodies function, how we can help ourselves by helping our bodies function better, and what we should avoid to keep our inner systems working smoothly. Who knew I’d learn a lot and thoroughly enjoy this “ode to our amazing bodies” as Dr. Rajan puts it. I highly recommend this book and recommend taking it a step further. Purchases copies for your family and friends. It will create a cascade effect where conversations about the human body are not to be shied away from but help us bust myths and make it easier to ask questions especially for those moving through their teens and early adulthood, and for that matter, everyone. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book of health hacks is surprisingly entertaining. It’s full of useful information that everyone with a human body should know.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I think this Nonfiction book is going to land on people's shelves because it is a bit different
Each chapter focuses on one organ/body part. He tells you about it with some history of medicine as well as current states. He then has areas called save your self, hacks and a photo at the end of each paragraph . While I wish the photos were in color to break up all the brain juices you use I think it's still great.

This Book may Save Your Life by Dr. Karan Rajan is a well-done compilation about how the body works and suggestions of how to keep everything moving smoothly. It very neatly moves on from one area of the body to another, and it's all pulled together in his conversational style.

Part of the draw is the Doctor's personal awe, appreciation and even at times puzzlement why things work or don't work as they do. While many books like this can come across as a boring, long-winded lecture, Dr. Rajan pulls the reader in, and it feels like you are going on an intriguing journey with him.

5 Stars.

I enjoyed this book, particularly the conversational tone and humour. I found the plain-language explanations thorough. There are no news flashes here; all the advice that Dr. Rajan gives is what I’ve heard from most healthcare professionals and most of what’s in the book I’ve already learned, but Dr. Rajan, through his clever wording and humour makes it all seem new. The book was a pleasure to read. Thank you to Netgalley and Rodale Books for the advance reader copy.

If you love reading about interesting facts like I do, "This Book May Save Your Life" by Dr. Karan Rajan is a great read to pick up. The book is a fun, witty, and modern take on medical facts and helpful tips and tricks to get the most out of our bodies. Throughout the book, Rajan dives into the parts of our body that society thinks are taboo to talk about and shows it's not only acceptable to talk about them but to our benefit and could save our lives. By learning more about how our body works and why it does what it does, we get a true appreciation for all the amazing ways it keeps us alive. I often found myself relaying these fascinating facts to others while reading this book and looking up some of the obscure observations I had never heard of. What a fun read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Rodale Books for providing me with a copy of this fun book!

What a cool and unique book! I really loved all of the health hacks in this book, and how some of them could literally save your life. The author goes through each system in the body and gives us facts about eahc one, along with ways to improve these areas and fun and interesting random things that we might not have known about them. There were a lot of things I had no idea were possible or I had light bulb moments where I said, "Wow, THAT'S why my body does that!" I love books like this where they're fun and just help you leanr the little, less common things about yourself and your body and the bonus is that you can learn things that could potentially save your life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Rodale books for this eARC of this super cool book!

The way this book is presented, I really thought the author was going to share advice that isn't common knowledge or go over medical terms or practices that the general populace doesn't know and should. But instead it was more a general overview of how each system in the body works. It felt more like reading a high school anatomy textbook.