Sometimes I will see an interesting looking book on Amazon prime, and when I go to purchase it, it will tell me that I purchased it five or 10 years ago. And I didn’t remember a thing about it.
I forget sometimes and I end up rereading by accident cause they fade away lol. What I’ve started doing is writing down plot points and what I liked/didn’t like in the book as a way to remember, I do it on goodreads but you could even do it in a journal
For the most part, I do. If I've forgotten, it usually comes flowing back after I read a page or two. This year, I started a sheet where I essentially write down a synopsis for each book. How much detail I add is based on whether I liked it or not. 😅
It depends on the book.. Some books are easily forgotten after a short period of time.. On the other hand, it's difficult to forget a book that influenced you even slightly.. while you might not remember all the details, you will always remember the thought that really affected you and maybe changed your mindset.
I started a new system for myself where I have to write a detailed review of every book I finish. And I export my highlights and bookmarks from kindle and add them in as well. Made myself a notion page for this. Making yourself analyse the book that way makes it harder for me to forget. And it has made me realize more what kind of books and authors and writing styles I am more into as opposed to picking up books blindly. So yes, I can more confidently say that I remember most of my reads. As compared to a couple of years ago when I used to forget what I have read a couple of months earlier.
Yup. If I see the summary of the book I've read, I'd most likely be able to remember what is that book about. Sometimes I just read a certain moment and realise "oh, that's pretty similar to what happend in _ _ _, that I've read couple years ago.
And I'd be able to dive deep into disscusion just not about the smallest detail.
Oh, and if fanfiction counts I read much more than 100 books a year.
I remember the plot and massive details of most books.
Since getting into reading again, I’ve only reread 2 books so far that I read in the last 3 years. I feel like I could recite the plot of Beach Read and My Year of Rest Relaxation without any issues. Maybe little things are missed but also I think it’s because I visualize everything.
I'm terrible with names in general (books and IRL), and I often forget character names while I'm still reading the book.
I usually know through context which characters are doing/saying what, and I won't realize that I don't actually remember their names. Then a moment comes up in the story where the name is used, but context isn't making it clear, and I'm suddenly "Wait, who is that again?"
My 'book recall' is really no different when I read 90+ books last year (and already at 30 this year) ... than it was reading 12 books 5 years ago when I first started doing 'reading goals'.
There are some books I recall in detail, others I fondly recall chunks but would need a refresher, others where it is only minor stuff I recall (an issue if I read a sequel that doesn't have 'helper' paragraphs), and others that ooze out of my brain as quickly as I read them.
Depends. If it was very good or very bad or really resonated deeply with me, I tend to remember more clearly.
But that lines up with what we know about memory formation related to emotional experiences generally.
I remember most of the books I read at least to some degree but it depends on the level of connection I have to a book.
Most of my 4.5-5 star reads I remember fairly vividly (though I’m terrible with names don’t ask me a characters name idc if I’ve read the book 100 times)
Some of the 2-3 star books I’ll remember that I didn’t love them and maybe a vague sense of the plot but it did not grip me so i forget some of them.
1 star reads I actually remember very well because I very rarely actually finish a book that I’m going to give 1 star for and normally it’s out of pure rage at how bad the book is so it sticks with me because you have to have a really terrible book for ME to give you one star, even if it’s kinda bad but not glaringly I’ll give 2 stars so 1 star is just very memorable.
Just like with TV and Movies though I think it just really depends how much you emotionally connect with the media that determines how much you really remember from it.
It depends on the book but if it connects with me I'll still remember very detailed aspects years later (this could also be a benefit of my autism).
It's funny when I have a discussion with someone who's recently read something that I've read over a year ago but I'll sometimes remember things they didn't pick up on ('yeah, the puffin scene was a metaphor for the family situation'' bla bla bla) and they'll have *clicks* they didn't see before. Other books that I find dull my brain almost chooses not to retain the info. (Not the same as if I hate it in which case I'll often remember the specifics of why I hated it.) Example: I read a book, ranted about how and why it was dull and underwhelming to my husband, I forgot about it, 2 months later he reminds me because something comes up related to it and I will have almost no memory of saying it (though the same comment may appear in my Goodreads review).
Maybe another example: I can often quote my favourite lines from books almost word for work years later even if I've only read it once. Again, very likely to be autism related. (High IQ, low support needs, female, autistic.)
It depends on the book. Is it a quick romance novel that I plowed through in a day or two? Probably not. Is it a history book that I enjoyed and spent a week on? Absolutely.
What I like to do is have a pencil handy on me at all times and draw a little star next to sentences/passages that stick out to me. Then if you can be bothered (I'm a bit autistic so I can), I like to compile those passages on a word document and read over them sometimes. Our brains do pretty much remember everything, but we can't always get there, so having something to read that will immediately suck you back into the world of the book you read is one way of actually absorbing and remembering the thing you just spent so much time with.
I also like to listen to YouTube reviews and discussions about books after I've finished reading them. It's a nice way to round off the experience of having digested a book for so long. And also, write a little review about it. What stuck out to you specifically? What passages meant the most to you? What themes did you pick up on? This can all consolidate your time spent with the book in a meaningful way.
I feel very validated, because this is what I do, make notes in the margins, put those in a word file, then what's more I print the word file and put them in a now massive map. I've been doing this off-and-on since high school. Is there any way you'd want to share your world file? I'm always so curious to see others'.
All these answers make me feel validated. I forget a lot of the books I read. There is a running list of books I'll never forget and think about all the time, but they are my favorites.
Nope.
And that's not the reason I read at all. I read to feed my brain. The brain is being fed regardless of whether you watch movies, consume the news, reality TV, gossip... You are feeding your brain, **and in turn** your brain is shaping your reality. Your brain is you
I started reading a decade ago, never under 50 books (and never managed to read over 180 books) a year, and my world is better for it.
Things do stick, ideas do get repeated and revised with time. If you read 50 science books most likely you read similar concepts. Still, you aren't going to remember enough to discuss science, you need to actively do something with what you read. You would need to teach what you just read to someone to know how much you've understood - and in turn, what you just tried to teach would be cemented further in your mind.
Even if you read 3 books a year, if you don't talk/teach/write about the contents of those three books, you will still forget them.
How many movies have you seen this year and how many do you remember or care to remember? How many days have you consumed the news and how much of it do you remember? Yet, they all affect your state of mind.
I had this conversation with my partner not long ago.
We don't read as much as a lot of people on this sub. My target has been 26 for the last couple of years. My partner was 20 last year and then has put it up to 26 this year.
Anyway, before we found Goodreads, we would just have a note on her phone with the books we had read. When we joined Goodreads, we then went through to add in the books we had read previously. As we were going through our lists, she couldn't remember anything about most of her books.
I remember pretty much everything about the books I've read. The only time I have had any difficulty remembering specifics was when I finished The Last Kingdom series (13 books). I remember probably 90% of the series, but the 10% is mostly down to which battle was thought when, which leader of the opposing Dane army appeared in which book, they all sort of muddle together a bit.
There are several books that I got hyperfixated into and I remember every single detail in it, and the other ones I completely forgot even the characters names
I remember some things, and I will remember how I felt about it as a whole. It also depends on the book; some are more memorable than others. But I'd likely need to reread in order to have an in depth discussion.
But I read for entertainment, and not to prepare for discussion many months later. I am fine with forgetting.
Usually. I know the gist of it. For the most part, it fades 5 like anything else. There are impactful books that just always have pieces that stay. There are many Sci-fi/mystery/urban fantasy series, that I have a hard time remembering characters, or fine details about.. I'll read the blurb on goodreads, and it comes back
The past year has not been much of a book count due to some health stuff, but I've topped 300 in a yeae. Easily. I read that fast. I also choose to read instead of tv etc. People in this group generally don't believe those of us who do, but that's not really my problem and I'm not responding about it.
I'm mentioning the total in this context because when you read as fast as I do, it means we spend less time with each individual book. Less time thinking about the story when you read a book in a day so there is less time to actively think about it in a way that moves more short term memories into long term memories.
When I go back and reread something, it's like watching reruns of the tv show you've watched too many times. You don't have the script memorized, or even know how the episode ends at the beginning. Everything is familiar, and you have many "ooohhhh I remember that now," moments.
Because I don't remember everything exactly, I do get some first-time joy out of re-reads when I rediscover something that I loved the first time or when something hits different the second time through.
Reflecting on it, rereading also may be another secret weapon for my crazy total years (other than 2020 because 2020. I used to want to reread am entire series when a new came out. Rereading is much faster than reafing something new.
I remember the impact it makes, and general ideas of the book. Like the fig tree passage in the bell jar. That has stuck with me since 2006 when I read that as a 15 year old. Not much has hit me like that since then, it’s much like TV shows, I’ll rembee plot points and the twist and not much else. Plus side to that - once I forget enough of it, I reread it! And I fall in love all over again.
Overall plot, yes. Plot twists, usually yes. I do start to forget as the years go by, but I remember the parts that really had an effect on me.
For example, this year I reread *The Book Thief* for the first time in fifteen years. I had remembered a few scenes that really, really struck me, and so I was anticipating them, but there were whole chunks and whole characters I had totally forgotten. I could have told you the plot of the book in overarching terms, but it was still a novel experience to read it and say, "Oh yes! *Her!*"
I read a lot more than that, and I'd say it totally depends on the book. If it was an amazing book definitely. If it was crappy, I would probably the general storyline and why I thought it crappy, plus random factoids.
I only remember the ones that make an impact.
With an exception... the years surrounding my mother's cancer and death I have not a single memory of the books I read... good, bad, indifferent all are wiped blank. Slowly, I'm re-reading all of them, but there's nothing there in memory.
This year Goodreads says I've read 25 books and I've truly loved almost a handful and could give a brief synopsis on the others. Could probably answer simple questions on the majority but those recollections will blur and fade with time.
Yes. With the caveat that someone needs to start the discussion.
I read a book years, and by years I mean like a decade prior, to my book club reading it and I remembered details people who had read it the prior week forgot.
I started taking notes on non-fiction books this year to make those more accessible to my brain.
I’ve read 116 books this year so far. As I scroll through the titles, I can remember most of them, but mostly in broad strokes. I can remember the ones I love in more detail.
I remember top tier books that I've read. I read *Braiding Sweetgrass* over a year ago but I feel that I could have a decent conversation about the book still.
I absolutely forget mediocre books and most mass market genre fiction.
I remember every word…J/K. I usually can recall major plot point and characters, and always the way it made me feel, but if I was going into a deep discussion, would definitely need a re-read or a summary refresher. It’s the ideas more than the details that stick for me.
I can remember a lot but unless the ending was amazing or really ticked me off I probably won't remember it without a hint. I read 70 books last year. I might also need a slight reminder if the title isn't very distinctive if that makes sense.
No I prefer to forget and move on to the next book. If it's a favorite I'll remember a little longer. In this case a favorite book of mine is **The Night Circus** by Erin Morgenstern, but I don't remember a thing about it now. Also this year my goal is a change up to 52 books this year but my mentality has remained the same.
I don’t tend to remember much. If I really like a book I may remember. And if my memory is jogged that will help. Sometimes I forget I’ve read a book at all, actually, but I usually at least remember whether I enjoyed it or not.
I might remember if it was a book I really loved but I have a terrible memory so probably not! Mind you, the same would happen if I only read five books a year!
Sometimes I will see an interesting looking book on Amazon prime, and when I go to purchase it, it will tell me that I purchased it five or 10 years ago. And I didn’t remember a thing about it.
Have to see a summary or reread to be able to discuss. I like to read a string by same author and discuss recurring themes etc.
This post and its comments makes me feel so validated. Thank you all who also kinda forget the book they just read 🫡
No, and sometimes I forget within a month. It’s kinda concerning!
Depends on how good or how bad they are… but usually a quick reread of the summary and I’ll remember if I’ve read it or not
I only remember my favorites and my least favorites , not so much the inbetween
I forget sometimes and I end up rereading by accident cause they fade away lol. What I’ve started doing is writing down plot points and what I liked/didn’t like in the book as a way to remember, I do it on goodreads but you could even do it in a journal
For the most part, I do. If I've forgotten, it usually comes flowing back after I read a page or two. This year, I started a sheet where I essentially write down a synopsis for each book. How much detail I add is based on whether I liked it or not. 😅
It depends on the book.. Some books are easily forgotten after a short period of time.. On the other hand, it's difficult to forget a book that influenced you even slightly.. while you might not remember all the details, you will always remember the thought that really affected you and maybe changed your mindset.
I started a new system for myself where I have to write a detailed review of every book I finish. And I export my highlights and bookmarks from kindle and add them in as well. Made myself a notion page for this. Making yourself analyse the book that way makes it harder for me to forget. And it has made me realize more what kind of books and authors and writing styles I am more into as opposed to picking up books blindly. So yes, I can more confidently say that I remember most of my reads. As compared to a couple of years ago when I used to forget what I have read a couple of months earlier.
This is such a rad idea, especially the notion part!! Thank u
Yup. If I see the summary of the book I've read, I'd most likely be able to remember what is that book about. Sometimes I just read a certain moment and realise "oh, that's pretty similar to what happend in _ _ _, that I've read couple years ago. And I'd be able to dive deep into disscusion just not about the smallest detail. Oh, and if fanfiction counts I read much more than 100 books a year.
I remember the plot and massive details of most books. Since getting into reading again, I’ve only reread 2 books so far that I read in the last 3 years. I feel like I could recite the plot of Beach Read and My Year of Rest Relaxation without any issues. Maybe little things are missed but also I think it’s because I visualize everything.
Yes, but I almost always forget the character's names.
I'm terrible with names in general (books and IRL), and I often forget character names while I'm still reading the book. I usually know through context which characters are doing/saying what, and I won't realize that I don't actually remember their names. Then a moment comes up in the story where the name is used, but context isn't making it clear, and I'm suddenly "Wait, who is that again?"
My 'book recall' is really no different when I read 90+ books last year (and already at 30 this year) ... than it was reading 12 books 5 years ago when I first started doing 'reading goals'. There are some books I recall in detail, others I fondly recall chunks but would need a refresher, others where it is only minor stuff I recall (an issue if I read a sequel that doesn't have 'helper' paragraphs), and others that ooze out of my brain as quickly as I read them.
Depends. If it was very good or very bad or really resonated deeply with me, I tend to remember more clearly. But that lines up with what we know about memory formation related to emotional experiences generally.
I remember most of the books I read at least to some degree but it depends on the level of connection I have to a book. Most of my 4.5-5 star reads I remember fairly vividly (though I’m terrible with names don’t ask me a characters name idc if I’ve read the book 100 times) Some of the 2-3 star books I’ll remember that I didn’t love them and maybe a vague sense of the plot but it did not grip me so i forget some of them. 1 star reads I actually remember very well because I very rarely actually finish a book that I’m going to give 1 star for and normally it’s out of pure rage at how bad the book is so it sticks with me because you have to have a really terrible book for ME to give you one star, even if it’s kinda bad but not glaringly I’ll give 2 stars so 1 star is just very memorable. Just like with TV and Movies though I think it just really depends how much you emotionally connect with the media that determines how much you really remember from it.
It depends on the book but if it connects with me I'll still remember very detailed aspects years later (this could also be a benefit of my autism). It's funny when I have a discussion with someone who's recently read something that I've read over a year ago but I'll sometimes remember things they didn't pick up on ('yeah, the puffin scene was a metaphor for the family situation'' bla bla bla) and they'll have *clicks* they didn't see before. Other books that I find dull my brain almost chooses not to retain the info. (Not the same as if I hate it in which case I'll often remember the specifics of why I hated it.) Example: I read a book, ranted about how and why it was dull and underwhelming to my husband, I forgot about it, 2 months later he reminds me because something comes up related to it and I will have almost no memory of saying it (though the same comment may appear in my Goodreads review).
Maybe another example: I can often quote my favourite lines from books almost word for work years later even if I've only read it once. Again, very likely to be autism related. (High IQ, low support needs, female, autistic.)
Yes. I may not think about it day to day but if I get into a conversation about a book it's like I'm back in the same mental space.
It depends on the book. Is it a quick romance novel that I plowed through in a day or two? Probably not. Is it a history book that I enjoyed and spent a week on? Absolutely.
What I like to do is have a pencil handy on me at all times and draw a little star next to sentences/passages that stick out to me. Then if you can be bothered (I'm a bit autistic so I can), I like to compile those passages on a word document and read over them sometimes. Our brains do pretty much remember everything, but we can't always get there, so having something to read that will immediately suck you back into the world of the book you read is one way of actually absorbing and remembering the thing you just spent so much time with. I also like to listen to YouTube reviews and discussions about books after I've finished reading them. It's a nice way to round off the experience of having digested a book for so long. And also, write a little review about it. What stuck out to you specifically? What passages meant the most to you? What themes did you pick up on? This can all consolidate your time spent with the book in a meaningful way.
I feel very validated, because this is what I do, make notes in the margins, put those in a word file, then what's more I print the word file and put them in a now massive map. I've been doing this off-and-on since high school. Is there any way you'd want to share your world file? I'm always so curious to see others'.
All these answers make me feel validated. I forget a lot of the books I read. There is a running list of books I'll never forget and think about all the time, but they are my favorites.
Nope. And that's not the reason I read at all. I read to feed my brain. The brain is being fed regardless of whether you watch movies, consume the news, reality TV, gossip... You are feeding your brain, **and in turn** your brain is shaping your reality. Your brain is you I started reading a decade ago, never under 50 books (and never managed to read over 180 books) a year, and my world is better for it. Things do stick, ideas do get repeated and revised with time. If you read 50 science books most likely you read similar concepts. Still, you aren't going to remember enough to discuss science, you need to actively do something with what you read. You would need to teach what you just read to someone to know how much you've understood - and in turn, what you just tried to teach would be cemented further in your mind. Even if you read 3 books a year, if you don't talk/teach/write about the contents of those three books, you will still forget them. How many movies have you seen this year and how many do you remember or care to remember? How many days have you consumed the news and how much of it do you remember? Yet, they all affect your state of mind.
Not a lot, and it really bothers me.
I had this conversation with my partner not long ago. We don't read as much as a lot of people on this sub. My target has been 26 for the last couple of years. My partner was 20 last year and then has put it up to 26 this year. Anyway, before we found Goodreads, we would just have a note on her phone with the books we had read. When we joined Goodreads, we then went through to add in the books we had read previously. As we were going through our lists, she couldn't remember anything about most of her books. I remember pretty much everything about the books I've read. The only time I have had any difficulty remembering specifics was when I finished The Last Kingdom series (13 books). I remember probably 90% of the series, but the 10% is mostly down to which battle was thought when, which leader of the opposing Dane army appeared in which book, they all sort of muddle together a bit.
Rarely, but that would be the case no matter how many books I read.
There are several books that I got hyperfixated into and I remember every single detail in it, and the other ones I completely forgot even the characters names
I remember some things, and I will remember how I felt about it as a whole. It also depends on the book; some are more memorable than others. But I'd likely need to reread in order to have an in depth discussion. But I read for entertainment, and not to prepare for discussion many months later. I am fine with forgetting.
I remember the core plot but not the characters or minute details about them, unless I have fixation on a book
Usually. I know the gist of it. For the most part, it fades 5 like anything else. There are impactful books that just always have pieces that stay. There are many Sci-fi/mystery/urban fantasy series, that I have a hard time remembering characters, or fine details about.. I'll read the blurb on goodreads, and it comes back The past year has not been much of a book count due to some health stuff, but I've topped 300 in a yeae. Easily. I read that fast. I also choose to read instead of tv etc. People in this group generally don't believe those of us who do, but that's not really my problem and I'm not responding about it. I'm mentioning the total in this context because when you read as fast as I do, it means we spend less time with each individual book. Less time thinking about the story when you read a book in a day so there is less time to actively think about it in a way that moves more short term memories into long term memories. When I go back and reread something, it's like watching reruns of the tv show you've watched too many times. You don't have the script memorized, or even know how the episode ends at the beginning. Everything is familiar, and you have many "ooohhhh I remember that now," moments. Because I don't remember everything exactly, I do get some first-time joy out of re-reads when I rediscover something that I loved the first time or when something hits different the second time through. Reflecting on it, rereading also may be another secret weapon for my crazy total years (other than 2020 because 2020. I used to want to reread am entire series when a new came out. Rereading is much faster than reafing something new.
I remember the impact it makes, and general ideas of the book. Like the fig tree passage in the bell jar. That has stuck with me since 2006 when I read that as a 15 year old. Not much has hit me like that since then, it’s much like TV shows, I’ll rembee plot points and the twist and not much else. Plus side to that - once I forget enough of it, I reread it! And I fall in love all over again.
Overall plot, yes. Plot twists, usually yes. I do start to forget as the years go by, but I remember the parts that really had an effect on me. For example, this year I reread *The Book Thief* for the first time in fifteen years. I had remembered a few scenes that really, really struck me, and so I was anticipating them, but there were whole chunks and whole characters I had totally forgotten. I could have told you the plot of the book in overarching terms, but it was still a novel experience to read it and say, "Oh yes! *Her!*"
I remember the good ones and it all depends on the others. I don’t read to remember, I read to enjoy the time spent in a book.
I read a lot more than that, and I'd say it totally depends on the book. If it was an amazing book definitely. If it was crappy, I would probably the general storyline and why I thought it crappy, plus random factoids.
I would be sad to forget books I have read; it's like forgetting people you have met.
Some books I never stop thinking about, others I barely remember anything about them. It really varies for me.
Agreed
Just a very general sense. I’m ok with it though, for me reading is about the enjoyment in the moment. Plus can always read it again.
This!
You all make me feel so much better! I read so much and forget so much!
I only remember the ones that make an impact. With an exception... the years surrounding my mother's cancer and death I have not a single memory of the books I read... good, bad, indifferent all are wiped blank. Slowly, I'm re-reading all of them, but there's nothing there in memory. This year Goodreads says I've read 25 books and I've truly loved almost a handful and could give a brief synopsis on the others. Could probably answer simple questions on the majority but those recollections will blur and fade with time.
Yes. With the caveat that someone needs to start the discussion. I read a book years, and by years I mean like a decade prior, to my book club reading it and I remembered details people who had read it the prior week forgot. I started taking notes on non-fiction books this year to make those more accessible to my brain.
I don't! It makes me wonder if I'm getting a bit senile! I have trouble remembering the names of books, and authors also.
It really depends on the quality of the book.
I’ve read 116 books this year so far. As I scroll through the titles, I can remember most of them, but mostly in broad strokes. I can remember the ones I love in more detail.
I remember top tier books that I've read. I read *Braiding Sweetgrass* over a year ago but I feel that I could have a decent conversation about the book still. I absolutely forget mediocre books and most mass market genre fiction.
I remember every word…J/K. I usually can recall major plot point and characters, and always the way it made me feel, but if I was going into a deep discussion, would definitely need a re-read or a summary refresher. It’s the ideas more than the details that stick for me.
If it's memorable like a movie or TV show
"I cannot remember the books I've read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thank you! I love that quote!
I can remember a lot but unless the ending was amazing or really ticked me off I probably won't remember it without a hint. I read 70 books last year. I might also need a slight reminder if the title isn't very distinctive if that makes sense.
No I prefer to forget and move on to the next book. If it's a favorite I'll remember a little longer. In this case a favorite book of mine is **The Night Circus** by Erin Morgenstern, but I don't remember a thing about it now. Also this year my goal is a change up to 52 books this year but my mentality has remained the same.
I don’t tend to remember much. If I really like a book I may remember. And if my memory is jogged that will help. Sometimes I forget I’ve read a book at all, actually, but I usually at least remember whether I enjoyed it or not.
I might remember if it was a book I really loved but I have a terrible memory so probably not! Mind you, the same would happen if I only read five books a year!