How well do you retain what you have just read?

[lente]

When I read something I remember it pretty well. Even years after I have read a book I still know how the story goes, especially if I read a small summary, then it all comes back. That's why I never read books twice. I'm always on the lookout for new books.

[GraceKrispy]

I don't retain a lot of details about the fiction books I read (I plow through each in a day or so, usually). I do, however, remember the "big picture" idea from the story, and whatever parts really impacted me. Books that are like "fluff" for me are ones I'll reread more often because I remember very little- just that I enjoyed them and they were fun.

I think one of the best things about reading fiction is that some books open my mind to ideas I hadn't thought of before. I love that about reading. Some books offer me a respite from daily life and some relaxation, and still others give me a satisfying feeling, or some vicarious adventure.

Only once (so far) have I started to read a book and realized soon into it that I've read it before. I rarely forget what books I've read, obviously this one really didn't even register. It wasn't good, wasn't bad, it just... was. I didn't bother reading it the second time.

[FlorenceArt]

Originally Posted by GraceKrispy

Only once (so far) have I started to read a book and realized soon into it that I've read it before. I rarely forget what books I've read, obviously this one really didn't even register. It wasn't good, wasn't bad, it just... was. I didn't bother reading it the second time.

I think those are the worst. At least the really bad books make you feel something. Isn't it horrible to read a book and then forget completely about it?

A long time ago, I came to this realization about a movie. Someone was telling me about it and I said I hadn't seen it. She insisted and told me more, and after a long while I finally unearthed it from a dark musty corner of my brain. I had seen this movie, even thought it was OK at the time, and then forgotten all about it. That's when I decided to be more selective in how I spend my leisure time. I'm not sure I held to that resolution though

[GeoffC]

These days I don't remember things I've read, although when re-reading there are often places where I know what's coming next.

For non-fiction books I not only have difficulty remembering, but also, increasingly on understanding....!


This from someone who used to be able to visually remember references in books and on long work-related notices, even down to the level of "it's on page 385, 2nd paragraph !".

[GraceKrispy]

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

I think those are the worst. At least the really bad books make you feel something. Isn't it horrible to read a book and then forget completely about it?
(SNIP) That's when I decided to be more selective in how I spend my leisure time. I'm not sure I held to that resolution though

It's like in some of those reality competition shows- the last thing you want to be is forgettable. Good, bad, it's all publicity, as they say, but nothing? That's death.

It is really hard for me to not finish a book. I grew up being told to "finish all my food" and I transferred that to books. It's only recently that I have allowed myself to *not* finish a book I don't like. If I want to know how it ends, even though I'm not enjoying it, I'll skim every few pages so that I at least get the story line. But life is too short to read crap.

Of course, one girl's crap may be another girl's inspiration...

[rebarnmom]

Originally Posted by GeoffC

These days I don't remember things I've read, although when re-reading there are often places where I know what's coming next.

For non-fiction books I not only have difficulty remembering, but also, increasingly on understanding....!

What he said (because I already forgot what I as gonna' say)!