What book, having nothing to do with medicine, has influenced your life the most and why?
"Charles Dickens' 'A Tale of Two Cities,' in my opinion, has both the best opening and closing lines of any book I've ever read. Between those opening and closing lines is a story of sacrifice geared to the truly important things in life. Humanity, love, and giving are the things that end up being the heroes."
"'2001, a Space Odyssey,' by Arthur C. Clarke, for me, went beyond mere science fiction and explored what physicians explore on a daily basis--wonder for humanity, crossing boundaries of what is known, and venturing into the unknown."
'All work and no play,' as the saying goes. The interviewer wants to make sure you can be engaging outside of your medical safety zone and also wants to learn a little about you as a person. Non-fiction is OK, but don't cite a self-help book, because that's still work and no play. You can't go wrong citing a classic. Be careful of best sellers, for they can become dated very quickly. Below are just random examples of books for illustrative purposes, of course. There is no expectation that you have read any of the ones mentioned.
"I read a book called 'Music of the Spheres,' by Jamie James, in which he gives a history of when the arts--especially music--separated from science during the Renaissance. This resonated with me because being a physician is both science and art, and how they fit together and how they're separable shouldn't be a conflict but a reconciliation."