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Poised
"A passionate cancer surgeon in training cares for her patients but struggles to save herself. I didn't want the book to end. Shelley's journey shows that achieving poise comes from slamming into barriers, stumbling, and figuring out how to keep going. This novel will make you laugh then cry and then laugh some more,” -Anna Farro Henderson, author of the forthcoming Core Samples, October 2024
In Poised, a debut novel by Cheryl Bailey, set in 1990s Kentucky, a naïve but spirited doctor, Shelly Riley, slogs through a two-year fellowship. Continually hampered by chauvinist mentors and exhausting training, she battles for the lives of her cancer patients. Without the approval of her all-male mentors, she’ll never practice in her specialized field. Readers will relish the book’s coming-of-age trope based on American society’s fascination with what really happens in hospitals and operating rooms. Like Bonnie Garmus’ Lessons in Chemistry, Bailey gives us a quirky, loveable scientist who shakes off dismissive societal assumptions so she can get down to work. The book’s humor soothes the sting of difficult life circumstances encountered by Shelly, her medical peers in training, and her beloved patients. Cancer care isn't funny, but people are, and Shelly’s devotion to her patients makes Poised sing.
In Poised, a debut novel by Cheryl Bailey, set in 1990s Kentucky, a naïve but spirited doctor, Shelly Riley, slogs through a two-year fellowship. Continually hampered by chauvinist mentors and exhausting training, she battles for the lives of her cancer patients. Without the approval of her all-male mentors, she’ll never practice in her specialized field. Readers will relish the book’s coming-of-age trope based on American society’s fascination with what really happens in hospitals and operating rooms. Like Bonnie Garmus’ Lessons in Chemistry, Bailey gives us a quirky, loveable scientist who shakes off dismissive societal assumptions so she can get down to work. The book’s humor soothes the sting of difficult life circumstances encountered by Shelly, her medical peers in training, and her beloved patients. Cancer care isn't funny, but people are, and Shelly’s devotion to her patients makes Poised sing.
310 pages, Paperback
Published June 28, 2024
12 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 31, 2024
Women are finally gaining respect in the medical field. I am grateful to those that didn't give up in the days when respect was lacking among their peers!
July 7, 2024
In her page-turner debut, "Poised," Dr. Cheryl Bailey takes us on a grueling two-year oncology fellowship journey that draws deeply from her own experiences. Set in an 1990s Kentucky hospital where the protagonist, Dr. Shelly Riley, navigates the passive aggression and gaslighting from the establishment. Every hour of every day seems filled with tension, micro-aggressions, and a complete lack of support from her male bosses.
The novel balances those indignities with the difficult joy of patient care. Despite 15-hour days, Dr. Riley's makes her patients feel respected and they know they are getting the best treatment possible. Her patients reciprocate with love and sharing some of their lives with Dr. Riley. And without spoiling anything, the occasional takedowns of those who grossly overstep are very satisfying.
The novel brings the nonmedical reader into a cancer surgeon's day with just enough detail to inform without intimidating. The description of early morning rounds followed by hours of meticulous surgery puts us in the building and leaves us exhausted at the of the day. The stories find humor and humility in the everyday ups and downs in ways we can all relate.
"Poised" is a triumph of storytelling as it takes us on this breath-taking fellowship marathon and leaves us in awe of those who power through the training it takes to become a cancer surgeon. "Poised" is an outstanding debut and a must-read for anyone wanting to know what makes our doctors tick.
The novel balances those indignities with the difficult joy of patient care. Despite 15-hour days, Dr. Riley's makes her patients feel respected and they know they are getting the best treatment possible. Her patients reciprocate with love and sharing some of their lives with Dr. Riley. And without spoiling anything, the occasional takedowns of those who grossly overstep are very satisfying.
The novel brings the nonmedical reader into a cancer surgeon's day with just enough detail to inform without intimidating. The description of early morning rounds followed by hours of meticulous surgery puts us in the building and leaves us exhausted at the of the day. The stories find humor and humility in the everyday ups and downs in ways we can all relate.
"Poised" is a triumph of storytelling as it takes us on this breath-taking fellowship marathon and leaves us in awe of those who power through the training it takes to become a cancer surgeon. "Poised" is an outstanding debut and a must-read for anyone wanting to know what makes our doctors tick.
July 12, 2024
A significant, important and captivating book describing the situation main character Shelly Riley, and many like her, experiences/d in advanced medical training in (then) male dominated ( and dominating) care areas. For me, it resonated deeply in a “ me also” way and I expect it will for many others, within medicine and in other professions.
This book is relevant well beyond the medical realm.
“Poised” is a coming into personhood story, as much about the roads not taken as the intentional path forged. Persons of significance, as is main character Shelly Riley, do not become so because things are easy.
Rather than shy away from difficult situations, Shelly tackles them with patience, perseverance , grit, candor, humor, compassion, determination and grace.
A remarkable debut novel in which the author achieves characters, patients and colleagues both, who glow and shine. They felt “ known” over time to me. Respect, compassion and caring go every which way in this novel. I cringed, laughed and cried.
The novel builds with great cadence and ends at the right time. But, it was too soon for me.
This book is relevant well beyond the medical realm.
“Poised” is a coming into personhood story, as much about the roads not taken as the intentional path forged. Persons of significance, as is main character Shelly Riley, do not become so because things are easy.
Rather than shy away from difficult situations, Shelly tackles them with patience, perseverance , grit, candor, humor, compassion, determination and grace.
A remarkable debut novel in which the author achieves characters, patients and colleagues both, who glow and shine. They felt “ known” over time to me. Respect, compassion and caring go every which way in this novel. I cringed, laughed and cried.
The novel builds with great cadence and ends at the right time. But, it was too soon for me.
December 31, 2024
Cheryl Bailey is a retired gynecologic oncologist. Her central character is Shelly Riley, who is in a two-year fellowship in the same specialty at a hospital in Kentucky. The culture is a bit of a shock after her years in the Midwest and Northeast, but the greater shock and frustration is the lack of support by her male mentors, one might even say the determination to ensure that she doesn't succeed.
Any attempt to streamline aspects of surgery is forbidden. The only acceptable way is The Way. The powers that be are late to provide the tools of fellowship and leave it to her to find out the hard way that an essential career deadline has already passed. It could be simply a tale of frustration with chauvinism, but it's not.
Riley provides insight into the demands of such a fellowship, the long hours and the lack of time for anything personal. The rewards, however, are also many as she learns the life-affirming ways of the mostly rural southerners she has as patients.
Riley is at times a bit crude for my taste, but I greatly enjoyed the book nonetheless. What former fan of Ben Casey and Dr. Kildare wouldn't?
P.S. I loved the cover art.
Any attempt to streamline aspects of surgery is forbidden. The only acceptable way is The Way. The powers that be are late to provide the tools of fellowship and leave it to her to find out the hard way that an essential career deadline has already passed. It could be simply a tale of frustration with chauvinism, but it's not.
Riley provides insight into the demands of such a fellowship, the long hours and the lack of time for anything personal. The rewards, however, are also many as she learns the life-affirming ways of the mostly rural southerners she has as patients.
Riley is at times a bit crude for my taste, but I greatly enjoyed the book nonetheless. What former fan of Ben Casey and Dr. Kildare wouldn't?
P.S. I loved the cover art.
September 3, 2025
I so enjoyed this book. It was written so well that reading it was effortless and I was swept in by the story of it. Its complete honesty reminded me of Wild by Cheryl Strayed . Another book I so loved. I too worked the medical field, so all of it felt very real. I love easy to read honest books. They help me to know we are not alone in our daily struggles and our steps into wisdom. They are a refreshing and welcome friend.
November 2, 2024
I really liked this book. The characters are interesting and well developed and the story was fascinating since I was a female science graduate in the mid-1960s and looking for a job. It was even harder then to get people to take women seriously who were looking for a job that involved more than the most basic grunt work.
April 26, 2025
Shelly completed 4 years medical school, 4 years as a resident for OB-GYN. Starts 2 years with. Fellowship in Kentucky. Strong woman who was kind and worked hard with all male leaders. They constantly try to tear her down. Good read.
October 29, 2024
Such a good read! Love how much of a boss Shelly was and didn’t take crap from know man.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews