2007-11-12T14:01:00.001-08:00

Michelle Au started medical school armed only with a surfeit of idealism, a handful of old ER episodes for reference, and some vague notion about “helping people.”

This Won’t Hurt a Bit is the story of how she grew up and became a real doctor.

It’s a no-holds-barred account of what a modern medical education feels like, from the grim to the ridiculous, from the heartwarming to the obscene. Unlike most medical memoirs however, this one details the author’s struggles to maintain a life outside of the hospital, in the small amount of free time she had to live it. And, after she and her husband have a baby early in both their medical residencies, Au explores the demands of being a parent with those of a physician, two all-consuming jobs in which the lives of others are very literally in her hands.

Au’s stories range from hilarious to heartbreaking and hit every note in between, proving more than anything that the creation of a new doctor (and a new parent) is far messier, far more uncertain, and far more gratifying than one could ever expect.

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR THIS WON'T HURT A BIT (and other white lies)

"An account of medicine, marriage and motherhood, executed with style and enough humor to offset the not-always-happy endings for patients...An upbeat memoir by a woman still imbued with the idealism to serve, but also to be there for her husband and two sons." (Kirkus Reviews)

"In this treasure of a medical memoir, Au makes doctors seem fallible and funny...Get ready for a new appreciation for the training and life of doctors." (Booklist)

"Even better than your favorite episodes of ER or Grey's Anatomy, THIS WON'T HURT A BIT packs in all the elements of a truly great read. I laughed, I cried, I cringed and cheered, I learned a lot, and when I finished, I was preoccupied with a sense of awe from the experience for days. In fact, I wish I knew Michelle Au personally so I could call her and say, Tell me more." (Lisa Genova, New York Times bestselling author of "Still Alice" and "Left Neglected")

"A breezy, irreverent account of a doctor's education. Michelle Au's cheek makes for a witty and entertaining read." (Sandeep Jauhar, author of "Intern: A Doctor's Initiation")

"Forget Grey's Anatomy. If you really want to know what it feels like to be a doctor--especially a new doctor--read this book. Dr. Au hits the bull's-eye." (Katrina Firlik, MD, author of Another Day in the Frontal Lobe: A Brain Surgeon Exposes Life on the Inside )

"A fascinating account of how a smart, driven woman navigates the harrowing parallel worlds of modern medicine and family. This is an excellent book by an engaging writer and admirable doctor. It's also a delight to read." (Michael Ruhlman, author of Walk on Water and The Soul of a Chef)

“Here is the experience of medical school, and parenthood, rendered with candor and clarity and poignancy by one who dares tell us all how it goes as those who aim to heal others learn to contend with their own vulnerabilities, their yearning to know so much, achieve so many competencies, and all the while grow steadily to become accomplished physicians for their patients.” (Robert Coles, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Medical Humanities, Harvard Medical School)

"Funny, accurate, and entertaining. Like "Kitchen Confidential" for hospitals, only less debauchery and more diapers." (Julie Holland, MD, author of Weekends at Bellevue: Nine Years on the Night Shift at the Psych ER)

"As anyone who reads her blog knows, Michelle Au is a gifted writer. THIS WON'T HURT A BIT is an honest account of how Dr. Au balances physician training with the demands of family life. Her witty observations of our health care system are interspersed with stories that can either break your heart or make you laugh. They are always poignant, and give both physicians and patients a fresh, insightful look at how medicine is practiced today." (Kevin Pho, MD, creator of KevinMD.com)

THIS WON'T HURT A BIT (AND OTHER WHITE LIES): My Education in Medicine and Motherhood