I’ve been reading quite a decent amount since I was a kid, and I’m now in my late 20’s. I’ve recently realized that the books I’ve read in the last couple of years, I struggle to remember much about them.
I can remember the general outline of the story, or most of the major plot points, but any character names or place names I struggle to remember.
I’ve been going through and reading many fantasy/sci-fi series, and it usually feels like once I get to book 2 of whatever new series I’ve picked up, I can’t remember the previous series I read.
For example, I’m currently reading The Thief series, and really enjoying it. However I’m finding that I can’t remember much of the names or characters from the Red Rising series, which I read just before this. I can remember most of what happens, and I remember really enjoying it, but names just get lost entirely.
If you were to ask me what happens in the books I read the last couple of years, I would be able to tell you in quite decent detail, but I’d struggle with any names.
The only exceptions are books I read when I was young, like the Lord of the Rings books or the Hyperion books.
Does anyone else have this issue? How can I better remember details like this?
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Your memory is limited, things that are not essential will get thrown away. Books you’ve read as a child are core memories, things that shaped you up to be who you are today. Something you’ve read as entertainment/habit the last few months is just not as important. The plot? Yes, important, so your brain keeps it. Names? Nah, that can be forgotten most of the time. It’s a “perk” of being a biological entity of blood and flesh, with a brain that works in mysterious ways, but can somehow store huge amounts of information.
i dont think it’s about memory being limited but about data processing efficiency. the brain knows it takes a lot more effort to remember those things which are not that important so we forget them, but we could totally remember them.
That’s a nice way of looking at it, I just figured that my memory was getting worse
Are you good with names in general irl? I’ve never been great with names in real life or in books. For that reason I’ve always appreciated books with an index of characters to help me keep track. Sometimes I make one myself for books with a lot of characters.
My theory is that some people’s minds index via proper nouns more than others. I’m more likely to remember a story you told me than your name. It usually takes me multiple times meeting someone before their name sticks unless I make a concerted effort, but I’ll remember they said they worked in construction and had 2 dogs. Just to throw a wrench in my theory I’m somewhat likely to remember the dog names…
No, not really. That’s a good point too, I just never thought about it that way since I can remember all my childhood characters so vividly.
Does anyone else have this issue? How can I better remember details like this?
I take notes while I read, on index cards that I then index in my 'global ’ note system (see ‘Zettelkasten’ for more on that) which allows me to instantly retrieve info on every single book I’ve read no matter how recently or how long ago, among many other topics.
I did consider doing this, but gave up after a few books as it started feeling like more of a chore and breaking my immersion. I think it might be a good idea to write up some short summaries after I’ve finished a book and give me more time to think about it as well?
I did consider doing this, but gave up after a few books as it started feeling like more of a chore and breaking my immersion.
At first it is so, really… Slow and cumbersome.
Like anything new, I’m tempted to say. And it took me a while to learn to ride a bike, to write (even more so in English than in my native language).
But then it should become more of a second nature, something you won’t even notice much. To be gross for a second, it’s a bit like you don’t break your immersion when you pick up your nose while you’re reading, right? Not that I would imply you ever do such a thing, it’s just me that is so poorly educated… and I can admit that doesn’t break my immersion ;)
More seriously, the key element is to find the set up that works the best for you. The one that will create the less friction between you and your note and the book.
For me, it’s an A6 sized piece of paper, plus a tad larger piece of cardboard (to rest said piece of paper upon when I write) and a cheap ballpoint pen. I slide it in the book (the pen resting in my hand or in my shirt pocket) and I don’t even have to think about it when I don’t need to take any note. The moment I want to mark a passage, have any question or any idea regarding what I read, I slide it out, jot the page number, add some key words for when I will read it later so I will remember what it was about, and slide it back in. I’m back to reading barely noticing I made a pause.
But I insist, when starting out it will be cumbersome and… not great. Just give it more time to get used to it ;)
I don’t see a problem. All my life, since childhood, I didn’t care much to remember anything what is fantasies- books, music, artists names,creators ect. If it’s not direct my friend ( a good one) I will not even try to remember. I have peaceful mind. About citations of writers ect,if they were that good- I would remember 🤣maybe.
My memory has always been poor. I have sometimes forgotten full books: like it’s in my read pile, but it doesn’t ring a bell. I’m in my 30s btw. It is what it is, I read for fun and I’m not interested in keeping significant logs. I only keep a list of read books and a grade (minimal account on goodreads).
Meanwhile that’s how my memory always worked. However, it increases the reread value of reading so there’s that.
I’ve been going through and reading many fantasy/sci-fi series, and it usually feels like once I get to book 2 of whatever new series I’ve picked up, I can’t remember the previous series I read.
are you me? lol
because i’ve been doing this for the last 25 years with emberverse books by s.m. stirling – i got hooked on the first 3 books of the series before life/career took over and now that i try to read the remaining books in the series, but i have to stop because i can’t remember what the narrator is referring it.
the best part: i left a bookmark with my handwritten note reminding myself to go back and re-read the previous books to remember what’s going on and i found 3 such bookmars in the same book that i forgot i had written to myself. lol
It’s the reason I only read book series that are already finished. By the time the next book comes out I usually have to catch up on what the character names were again
i also have similar memory issues, but unless you dedicate extra effort just to remember this it’s really hard to do. i think it’s probably related to what you (and your brain) categorize as relevant. in my case i just don’t care, i usually remember who the characters are based on other stuff. there are some cases where you do need to remember the names though, like if you read books with a ton of characters. in those cases having some notes could be useful. but all in all i think people could learn to appreciate works without the need to understand everything. you were a bit high when you read that chapter? no worries, you’ll fit the pieces at one point. unless you’re studying the book, a lot of times it’s not necessary to do those things. reading is a balance between fun, comprehension and context.
