State of Wonder vs The dispensary: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Medicine in Literature, Medicine

State of Wonder

State of Wonder Ann Patchett · 2011 ★★★★☆ 3.9 353 pages · ≈ 6 h 32 m · Moderate Find on Amazon

The dispensary Garth, Samuel Sir · 1699 ★★★★☆ 3.7 89 pages · ≈ 1 h 39 m · Demanding Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 3.9 vs 3.7 — either is a safe pick by score.
The dispensary is the quicker read — about 1 hours vs 6 for State of Wonder.
State of Wonder is the easier read (Moderate), The dispensary more demanding (Demanding).