Century snares Dr Rajan’s myth-busting survival guide to the human body

Century has signed the first book by Dr Karan Rajan, an NHS general surgeon whose medical myth-busting videos have seen him amass over seven million followers across TikTok, Instagram and Youtube.

Jess Ballance, former editor at Century, bought world rights in two books from Tasha Hall at Ibison Talent Group. Century will publish the first, This Book May Save Your Life, in hardback, audio and e-book in December 2023.

As well as being an NHS general surgeon, Rajan is a senior clinical lecturer at the University of Sunderland Medical School and formerly of Imperial College London.

This Book May Save Your Life is described as his “myth-busting survival guide to the human body.” Its synopsis goes on: “Though the odds are stacked against us, the human body has an extraordinary ability to adapt and survive. In his book, Dr Karan Rajan explains the weird and wonderful bodily functions that keep us going, and offers practical advice to help you thrive.

“Full of everyday health hacks to worry less and live better, This Book May Save Your Life will teach you: the art of sleeping better; what your fingernails can reveal about your health; how good thoughts can help you to manage pain; and the secrets behind the best trip to the toilet you’ll ever have.”

Rajan said: “I have a love-hate relationship with the human body. An angry appendix almost killed my cousin so I’ve been determined ever since to expose the inner workings of this assortment of cogs we call the human body to understand how it tries to ruin our lives through various flaws, glitches and dangerously beautiful complexities.

“In this book I’ll cover topics such as sleep, gut health, ageing, brains and beyond and weave the story of the human body with my own personal anecdotes so you can not only understand your physical self but hopefully worry less and live better.”

Callum Crute, commissioning editor at Century, said: “I’m so proud to be publishing the first book by Dr Karan. Just like his videos, the book will reveal what a miraculous mess the human body is, will leave readers in stitches (metaphorically), and ultimately offer ways to live a better, healthier life.”