I mean I know it’s very common to forget details and minor characters etc. but I realised I don’t remember things about some books I read in 2022 and even a few which I read just last year. And I barely remember anything about books I read more than four years ago except the overall plot and general idea, no matter how much I loved reading it back then. Maybe it’s because of how I was younger and reading things more mindlessly but this gives me a feeling of uncomfortableness as if I can’t count these books as finished and I’m being a liar when I say so. I obviously can’t read them again when there are so many books to read and not enough time. It’s not applicable to all of my books, there are some certain books that I will always remember due to the effect they had on me but I was curious to see if there are people like me or how common is it. It kind of stresses me lol, maybe it’s time for me to start B-12 supplements.
edit: now I’m starting to see how normal this is, thanks to everyone who replied/replies! I’m taking tips for my next reads as well, have a nice day! <3
by No_Range_6402
20 Comments
Do you remember everything you’ve done two years ago in general? Genuine question.
For me its basically the same. I will only remember a few general plot points for an average read after 1-2 years. However, I tend to remember both excellent and terrible books longer (although still not very detailed).
I hardly know anyone who remembers the exact details of what happened in their life with exact details 1 year ago. So it is natural that you forget the minute details but remember the overarching plot points. It doesn’t make u a liar. It makes u a normal human.
I might not remember minute details of the story, but I’ll usually remember the overall gist. If you’re reading a whole lot of books, slowing down and reading fewer might help.
You also mentioned the idea of how there are so many books and not enough time. Rather than look at that as a challenge, I see that as one of the incredible things about reading — that there always will be an endless supply of books, many more than I’ll have the chance to read. I’ll never be bored.
Ofcourse…unless and until that book had a deep impact on you ..you won’t remember much…may have a vague remembrance of the story that the book had if you came across the title..
It is very normal for me, less so for my wife. She has a much better memory than I do, so doesn’t typically need to reread books in a series for instance when the new installment is released. I’ve read Song of Ice and Fire 4 times through because every time a new book came out I had to read the old ones again first just to remember what was going on.
This has an upside for me though. Every few years I get to revisit my favorite novels and enjoy them again. I remember things as I go through them, and I get more out of subsequent reads of books I’ve read before. But I also get to experience them again as if I haven’t read them before. It’s great.
2 years?! I forget 3 or 4 books down the line
I forget that I even read them! I was looking up a book today on Goodreads and I’d read it a couple years ago. Reading the plot summary was vaguely familiar but it was a mystery so it was much like most mystery summaries. There are books I love that very much stay with me, but not often.
I’ve got a friend who will read a book fairly quickly and, years later, once I’m reading it, be able to recall specific clues and scenes and character names and everything. It’s insane.
Meanwhile, I can read a book and within weeks forget specific character names and just have general feelings and vibes about the book, even if I love it!
I just accept that people absorb information differently throughout their lives, and it doesn’t even have to be just about reading, could be about anything. I know a lot of music song names, bands, and lyrics, so maybe that’s where all my book knowledge goes?? Who knows.
Two things I keep an eye on though:
1. I try and digest the books I read through notes, book club discussions, online forums, etc. I find that discussion and conversation helps me remember a book’s details a lot longer.
2. I keep in mind when I’m rereading a book if, while reading, I begin to have the deja vu feelings of having read it before. As long as I do I’m good. Means my brain is working at least sometimes!
It’s definitely normal. I’ve read so many books that it’s difficult to keep track.
I finish the book I rate it and then I forget what happened but I know I liked it 😂
It’s normal. That’s why some people like myself annotate, keep notebooks, etc.
It’s perfectly normal. I enjoy reading them, the pleasure’s in the experience, but I think it’s an unusual book that actually sticks in detail years later, and says more about the book than about me.
It depends, for me, but this is a reason I like to have some sort of external forum to help me digest the book. That could be me writing a review, having a discussion about it, or listening to a podcast or youtube analysis of the book; I find that if I’ve processed it in some way, things stick much better over time.
Of course I also try to log everything and take a couple of notes because my brain has started leaking…
I remember bits! lol in saying that, reading a series, and if I have to wait a month for the next book, I have to re-read the last few pages for a recap!!! The good thing is, when you come to re-read it, not only will you have the excitement of “I love this book I can’t wait to read it” you’ll notice things you didn’t the first time round, and it’ll almost be like reading it for the first time again!
This is normal.
My experience:
Some books aren’t that memorable.
Some books cause a reaction within you, immediately or over time, even if they don’t provoke precise recollections.
And some books you’ll remember vividly.
I can’t remember what I read last month…
I forget most of and especially the endings of books and movies, which is perfect. I can re-enjoy a lot of media that way.
I’m listening to an audio book of a book I read last year. I have a much better understanding of the material and wanted to revisit it.
Some books I reread every year. Some I can go a decade and not read.
Yeah! Your brain can only hold so much info and important stuff takes priority.