Like amazing characters and plot? Read this book.
Like knowing there are worse hospitals than the one you got your head stapled shut in? Read this book.
Josh Bazell does it right with his novel Beat the Reaper. The simple fact that he wrote this while doing his residency makes me not ever want to sit on a paper covered table with him and simultaniously makes me want to follow him on rounds.
Tough economy getting you down and can't fork over the dough for a new book? There's this thing in your town called a library. Use it.