Review 223: Remember

Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting by Lisa Genova
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is a general book on memory, looking at general brain function in that area. It covers how your memory tends to work, and why it doesn’t, such as when you don’t pay close attention to something, you aren’t likely going to remember it.

The book also goes over a few ways to keep your brain healthy, and how to optimize memory, using tricks such as a “memory palace” which is a word association with images. Genova also covers Alzheimer’s, very briefly, as well as ways to help prevent the effects as we age. Although research is still ongoing, following these actions such as: getting enough sleep (7-9 hour per night), eating healthy and getting aerobic exercise will always be good advice.

This may be something to read as a companion with Jonathan Foer’s Moonwalking with Einstein, about people who compete in Memory competitions. As this book gives more general and practical advice about memory.

I listened to the audiobook and the author as narrator did a decent job of the task.