by Avery Avrakotos, Education and Policy Coordinator

Who says research ethics doesn’t make good beach reading? Just in time for the first day of summer, here are five page-turning books—from historical fiction to riveting memoirs—that are sure to keep you on the edge of your beach chair!

1. The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness – An endowed professor at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law and an expert in the ethical dimensions of psychiatric research, Elyn R. Saks shares her journey with schizophrenia in this powerful memoir.  Saks will also deliver one of three keynote presentations at the 2012 Advancing Ethical Research Conference.

1. Uncaged: A Thriller – In this medical thriller, Paul McKellips, executive vice president of the Foundation for Biomedical Research, explores a world in which animal testing is suddenly banned.

1. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – This New York Times Bestseller offers a spellbinding account of the history behind the HeLa cell, the first immortal human cells grown in culture.  If you have not yet had a chance to read this instant classic by Rebecca Skloot, this is the summer to do it!

1. Open Wound: The Tragic Obsession of Dr. William Beaumont – Rooted in historical fact, author Jason Karlawish’s novel relates Dr. William Beaumont’s relationship with the patient whose condition brought Beaumont professional recognition.

1. State of Wonder – The plot for this riveting novel from critically acclaimed author Ann Patchett revolves around fertility research being conducted deep in the heart of the Amazon jungle.

What books related to research ethics will you be bringing to the beach this year?