September 2, 2025
Paul Kalanithi’s When Breath Becomes Air (Penguin Random House, 2016) is this year’s Core Book, selected for the ways it explores how to live with wisdom and face death with courage.
Now in its ninth year, the Core Book program invites students, faculty, staff, alumni, prospective students, parents, donors, and the local community to engage enduring questions through interdisciplinary responses to literature and storytelling. This motivation is grounded in the mission of Wheaton’s Christ at the Core curriculum, a distinctive general education experience marked by academic excellence and grounded in the person of Jesus Christ and his truth as revealed in the Scriptures.
Paul Kalanithi’s When Breath Becomes Air joins a rich lineup of literature, including Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead, Daniel Nayeri’s Everything Sad Is Untrue, and foundational Christian texts like Augustine’s Confessions. When Breath Becomes Air is the memoir of a 36-year-old wunderkind neurosurgeon and neuroscientist who receives a grave diagnosis and writes to the end of his life. His book integrates faith and learning in literature, science, and philosophy, while prompting readers to consider a fundamental question: What does one’s life and death mean?
“This book, which will be a gift to all who read it, will especially serve communities that surround a Christian liberal arts college like Wheaton as we seek, with the Psalmist, to ‘number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom,’” said Professor of English Dr. Tiffany Kriner, who oversees the Core Book program.
This year’s Core Book events range from reading groups to library exhibits of books Kalanithi alludes to in his text to community obituary writing projects. There will be a contemporary play; philosophical, scientific, and pastoral conversations on the death of the body; a film screening; and a carefully shepherded spiritual pilgrimage through Wheaton’s cadaver lab. More activities and reading experiences may unfold as individuals and groups gather to read.
“The prose of When Breath Becomes Air is clear, memorable, poetic, arresting, and enlightening,” said Dr. David Lauber, Professor of Theology and Dean of Humanities and Theological Studies. “The book is worthy of a slow read. It invites us to contemplate the themes, truths, and wisdom that emerge from Kalanithi’s pen.”
Dr. Lauber has written brief commentary as well as questions for reflection and discussion on selected passages for groups to discuss. Those can be found, along with other resources, at wheaton.edu/corebook.
—Juliana Bacote