You’ll never believe what’s inside people’s heads! This humorous and heartwarming collection of stories from a neurosurgeon reminds us all that life is hopeful, tender—and a little bit squishy.

OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD:
Stories from the Operating Room That Will Make You Laugh (or Cry)
by Barbara Lazio
Sourcebooks, September 2026

Inside every skull is a story of heart, humanity―and the occasional hairball.

You might think brain surgery is all cool precision and high-stakes drama. Sometimes it is. But more often, it’s a gritty, smelly, surprisingly absurd job―one that involves titanium screws, tumors the size of grapefruits, and moments so human they’ll break your heart or make you snort with laughter behind your surgical mask. In Off the Top of My Head, Dr. Barbara Lazio peels back the sterile curtain of the operating room and shares the unexpected stories that come with a life spent elbows-deep in the human brain.

With warmth, wit, and a scalpel-sharp eye for detail, Dr. Lazio invites readers into her world―where mortality is never far away, but neither is meaning, connection, or the occasional gallows-humored joke.

Inside, you’ll find:

• Gripping behind-the-scenes moments from the OR―equal parts miraculous and messy
• Memorable patients facing the unimaginable with courage, humor, and grace
• A rare glimpse into the emotional life of a neurosurgeon
• Unexpected levity in the face of death, grief, and the unknown

Whether she’s rebuilding a shattered skull or laughing through tears with a family on the edge of loss, Dr. Lazio reminds us that behind every dramatic headline or surgical success is something deeply, beautifully human.

OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD is a book for anyone who wonders what really happens when the brain―and life―hangs in the balance.

Dr. Barbara E. Lazio is a neurosurgeon with experience in the surgical treatment of conditions affecting the brain and spine, with a special interest in the treatment of benign and malignant tumors. She specializes in stereotactic radiosurgery for the treatment of brain tumors. She completed her neurosurgery residency at the University of Maryland, where she was the first woman to graduate from the program. She enjoys getting to know her patients so she can help them return to activities that are important to them. A native of Ohio, Dr. Lazio has called the Pacific Northwest home since 2010. Outside of work she and her husband, Matt enjoy hiking, cycling, and spending time with their daughters.