Alot of good advice has already been given by semperjeff and snowdoc (of whom I have yet to learn their identity
). Like they said, everyone has their different preferences...I'll give you mine. First I want to start out by saying that I was one of those eager MS-0s that bought like a ton of books and 2 tons of review books before we even started the ward experience. I wanted to be "ready". This was the most stupid thing I could have ever done. I still have a whole shelf of books I have never picked up, espcially review books. For review books, I recommended that you buy them as you need them, because once you buy them at the book store, you can't return them. So yeah, now for my book suggestions:
Anatomy
I had the clinically orientated anatomy book from undergrad; I didn't use it much in undergrad and I barely used it my first year of medical school. It has alot of nice blue boxes with clinical correlates, but it doesn't contain any correlates that you can't already find in BRS or from the lecture powerpoints. So purchse that book at your discretion. For me, what really helps with anatomy is KNOWING THEIR POWERPOINTS LIKE THE BACK OF YOUR HAND. Once you do that, then you can fill in the gaps with BRS. When I came time for the anatomy mock, I had never really read BRS, so i didn't want to start it all of a sudden. Instead I chose the anatomy review book that was highly ranked in the back of First AID; it was called USMLE Road Map: Anatomy. I read this book through twice and I really loved it. It is more high yield to me than BRS. I've heard that BRS though is better to use as you take the class. Either way, you need to check them out to figure out your preference, but the anatomy powerpoint lectures are going to keep you busy enough; don't waste too much money buying extra books.
Physio
Physiology is not taught very well at LLU with the exception of endocrine physio. The school requires you to buy a seperate book for each bloody physiology section. I think this is overkill. If you have more of a phD mind, then get the
physiology textbook by Boron. One of the top 3 students in our physiology class used this book. He's already pretty smart, but I'm sure Boron gave him the INDEPTH info he needed. As for me, I'm a simple man, you just wants the facts. I'm good in physio, but I'm not a physio God. For me,
Physiology by Costanzo was the best thing since sliced bread. It had all those little books they wanted you to buy in one package, and she explains it really well. I would also suggest you buy BRS Physiology by costanzo for a quick review.
Biochem
If you have ever been tortured during times of war, like bamboo shoots underneath your fingernails...Biochem is worse. Just not taught well here. Sometimes the teachers really feel like we care to learn about the most breaking research in biochemistry. While the research is important, what we need to learn is what will be on Step 1, and they don't do too good of a job teaching this. Either way, Lippencotts Illustrated Reviews should be great for this class. I didn't read it much, but when I did, it was quite helpful. I also liked BRS Biochemistry. One of our professors likes to stress nutrition..he also happened to write High Yield biochem. HY Biochem isn't very helpful, but it may have you to get some of his nutrition problems right. If I had done it again, I would not have bought HY Biochem.
Cell Structure & Function
BUY ROSS, BUY ROSS, BUY ROSS. I did not get to read this book all that much, but if you really master reading this book you'll know what you need to know for their tests and the mock board. Even if you don't use it much, it is a easy read and helpful when you use it (especially because at the end of each tests she includes alot of pictures, and the pictures in Ross help you get those pictures on the test right). I wish I had not wasted my time buying review books for this subject (meaning both BRS and High Yield). When studying for the mock board, their class notes for gold (at least for me).
Immunology
The sheer amount of notes you get for this subject is truly amazing. The class notes are really thorough and should be all that you need. I would adviset that you wait and see if you need the book by Benjamini. I bought the book and read about 2 chapters in it. It was helpful, but I probably could have just borrowed it from someone.
Embryo
I bought review books for this class, but didn't use BRS or HighYield much. I didn't buy the recommended textbook either. I just studied the notes, and looked at animations for embryo online which tied things together much quicker for me than any 2D image on paper could. His class notes should be enough for you though.
Patient Diagnosis (PDX)
Their lecture notes is all you need for this class. If you know these notes like the back of your hand, you WILL do well. Its always good to buy mosby's as a reference book, but it won't help you kill the class like good their notes will.
Neuroscience
The teacher for this class is AMAZING. His notes are great and really explain anything. I used his notes and different websites which allowed you to view pictures of the brain. One atlas which is gold is the atlas by Dearmond. It won't help you so much in the beginning of the class, because you don't go over brain sections until the end of the year, but at the end of the year that atlas is GOLD. So yeah, all I used was his notes, websites, and that Dearmond atlas.
EBM
This class was the bane of my existence. I don't think that the book for the class would have helped me out too much either. I can't really give sound advice on how to do well in this class. Follow the other's advice on this one.
UYP
DO NOT BUY THE BOOK FOR THIS CLASS. His notes are definitely all you needed. This class appeals not to the knowledge part of your brain, but to the feeling side. Sometimes you'll narrow it down to 2 answers, and you have to use your gut to pick the right one. Just know the notes and work on your compassion, lol, and you should do well in the class. He may bring a question or 2 from the book, but almost not one reads the book, so you won't be hurt by it.
Review Books
I didn't use FirstAID all that much, but sometimes I wish I did. Like I said, i bought ALL THE HIGH YIELD AND ALL THE BRS BOOKS BEFORE CLASSES STARTED. Don't make the same mistake. Buy them as you need them. The ones I did use are:
USMLE Road Map: Anatomy
BRS Physiology
BRS Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
that is just my list. Others used many more books. Once again, I advise that you check the books out...wait till classes start, and then decide if you need them. The class notes should hold you over while you are trying to decide.
Use the slide sets in the library to practice!!! They're sooooooo much worse than your pretty slides and trust me you'll want experience with cruddy slides.
