Recommendations from Dr. Franklin
Born to Run by Christopher McDougall I read Born to Run while in graduate school, which coincided with my first marathon. The story was both informational and inspirational as it takes you on a journey to the home of the Tarahumara Indians in Copper Canyons in Mexico. The author, Christopher McDougall, exposes their secrets to being able to run hundreds of miles without rest or injury. The book also chronicles the social and historical context of running as well as integrating current research from various scientific fields. Born to Run is credited as bringing both ultra marathon running as well as the minimalist running trend into the mainstream. The hypothesis is that our bodies were designed to run and recent advances in running technology has only hindered our ability as well as lead to increased injury. |
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is about novel that centers around a boy who sets out to solve the suspicious death of a neighborhood dog. Although it is never stated in the book, the main character is believed to display characteristics that are typical of Autism Spectrum Disorder. This unique perspective into individuals' neurodiversity was something that inspired me to continue my education. At the time I read this book, I was a caretaker of a three year old boy with Autism. It motivated me to try to see the world from his perspective instead of exclusively from my own. |