This question is for the readers who keep the "Books Read" thread going every year and anyone else who wants to chime in.

If you had to take a test on some of the books you've read in the last three years, how would you do?

- Would you remember names of four of the main characters?
- Could you describe the plot?
- Could you describe ways the main characters grew or changed?
- Could you remember accurately events that happened in the book?
- how the book started or ended?
- Etc.

I read a couple of books per month, but looking through my list since 2021, I'm not sure there are many on which I could pass a test. Interestingly, as I looked the list, I have detailed memories of what I was doing in my life at the time I read any certain book. For example, I could look through list and name every book I was reading on an airline flight. I can tell you which books I read on vacations or in the hospital. And although I may remember a very summarized version of the plot, I might not remember the name of a single character.

Is my memory bad or do I just not care about what I'm reading? I really enjoy reading, but am I doing any good for myself or just wasting time I could spend watching TV?

I doubt your memory is bad. And iirc I don't think anyone remembers more than 30% of any book they've completed when it's not in their hands. Something like that.

And really, it's just incredibly difficult to capture any sort of distinctive atmosphere in either a novel or creative/narrative nonfiction. Which is part of the reason why audiovisual stuff is much more culturally relevant. Stinks, because a great novel shows the contours of a person/persons better than any other art form, at least imo.

And it's become more difficult for writers to develop good/distinctive style as the world becomes more digitized. I understand that lots of people don't care about this though. Just want the information. Which I get, because take something like Sam Wasson's recent journalistic bio of Francis Ford Coppola. Haphazard style; crude meanderings. Reading his and his movies' wikipedias would be more rewarding.

As far as doing good for yourself by reading, I'd say just do whichever/whatever you enjoy in your leisure time. The rising obsession with productivity/optimization espoused by Peter Attia, Andrew Huberman, and many more like them makes life worse, even if it does make you healthier. Erodes personality, but I digress.

And never feel bad about putting something down early on. Like of all the excerpts of stuff I read, I'd say I buy/check out maybe only 5% of them. Again, searching for that distinctive voice/atmosphere/world. But this is true of any piece of art/entertainment. Artists like Michael Cimino, David Lynch, Kubrick - - I knew I wanted to go deep into their works after just a minute or two of any one of their interviews on youtube.

But people are different, which is good/natural. Like if you/anyone else is only interested in a certain genre and will suck up tons of it, then go on ahead. The modern challenge is how to not be purely consumptive doing this, given the sheer amount of content out there.

Finally, try audiobooks if you haven't already done so. A mediocre book is elevated by a narrator with a rich/appealing voice. True of many podcasts too.

Cliff.Booth said:

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I personally think it heavily depends upon what you're reading. I think the vast vast majority of modern works of fiction are no better than just watching reality TV. But, great works of fiction or works of non-fiction can make you a more informed, better person. I've known some avid readers who are also unwise and ****ty, so just intaking a massive amount of written text doesn't really matter unless it's substantive and causes you to reflect.

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I like some reality TV, but there's not much brainwork involved with it. Even reading the vast majority of modern works means using your brain to create the movie in your head from the text, while strengthening your attention span in the process. A little exercise for the brain, in other words. Reality TV is more like the brain vegging on the couch with a pint of Blue Bell.

Philo B 93 said:

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Cliff.Booth said:

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I personally think it heavily depends upon what you're reading. I think the vast vast majority of modern works of fiction are no better than just watching reality TV. But, great works of fiction or works of non-fiction can make you a more informed, better person. I've known some avid readers who are also unwise and ****ty, so just intaking a massive amount of written text doesn't really matter unless it's substantive and causes you to reflect.

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I like some reality TV, but there's not much brainwork involved with it. Even reading the vast majority of modern works means using your brain to create the movie in your head from the text, while strengthening your attention span in the process. A little exercise for the brain, in other words. Reality TV is more like the brain vegging on the couch with a pint of Blue Bell.

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This is definitely part of it.

I read a lot. It's my number one activity in life. But it is not all the same. I have my epics I am glued to, and then what I call my trashy tv episodes. And everything in between. The low effort, low brain engagement, just fast and fun story telling. Those tend to fade fairly quickly in my mind while the ones that draw me in past a fast entertainment fix, sticks in my head far more.

Philo B 93 said:

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- Would you remember names of four of the main characters?
- Could you describe the plot?
- Could you describe ways the main characters grew or changed?
- Could you remember accurately events that happened in the book?
- how the book started or ended?
- Etc.

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In the last 4 years, I could pass the test for all of the books I've read. The character name question would fail. If I got in a discussion with somebody, I might recall the names. The other questions would be pretty simple.

And great books, I could recall those questions 40 years later. Even books read in the 1980s, I could tell you the plot, main characters (not the names), and conclusion.

I would dominate this test! Been an avid reader all my life and can always recall books I've read from a while back. If the test is simply over what I've read in the past three years, that makes it pretty easy.

For me it depends on the book. Somethings I really dig into and enjoy and remember a ton. Others I know going in this is pure pleasure and I won't remember much.
I never remember character names well, but I am good about their characteristics. Even while reading a book I won't know names well. Oddly, when I read names I just read them as collections of letters instead of actual words, also probably why I'm bad with names in real life.
But I definitely connect with emotions of books. I can remember how they made me feel, or how the characters felt much more than I can remember plot details.


However, my wife remembers nothing. She tears through books constantly and has no recollection. She read the Harry Potter books and then watched the movies and was shocked by some of the major plot points she had read about previously.

I read very little fiction, maybe 1-2 books per year, so yes to your questions on that.
I read non-fiction more, and tend to re-read those books or reference them at least.

The tech guy Naval (A really good person to follow on social media/podcasts) said that it's better to read the 100 best books again & again so you can absorb them vs reading 10000 books that you'll soon forget.
I really slowed down reading new stuff because of this. Reading new stuff just for the sake of it is something I don't have time for.

Apache said:

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I read very little fiction, maybe 1-2 books per year, so yes to your questions on that.
I read non-fiction more, and tend to re-read those books or reference them at least.

The tech guy Naval (A really good person to follow on social media/podcasts) said that it's better to read the 100 best books again & again so you can absorb them vs reading 10000 books that you'll soon forget.
I really slowed down reading new stuff because of this. Reading new stuff just for the sake of it is something I don't have time for.

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I'm always skeptical of those who promote "100 best" lists, personally. Makes reading almost seem like taking requisite prescriptions.

But whatever. I'd say read anything that makes you curious after even just a page or two. I have plenty of recommendations of overlooked recent stuff I think is good/great if anyone wants them.

Me too. I'm always curious how many books didn't make their list.

Top to bottom, left to right, group words together into sentences. Take Tylenol for any headaches, Midol for any cramps.

I read mostly WWII history these days, and can likely recall much about the books I have read (some of the titles are Shattered Sword and The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich). When I was younger, I was exclusively a fiction reader. Of the many books I read from childhood on through the immediate post-A&M years, I would think I'd have the best chance at questions on any of the first 6 Tom Clancy novels, maybe 1 or 2 Stephen King books (IT, The Stand, and The Shining come to mind), but less likely on the sci-fi books I read in high school (titles like 2001/2010, Asimov's robot novels). I would be dubious if my recollection of books like The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, or either The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings would be from the books or the movies.

I didn't take what he said literally to mean use (insert list maker here)'s top 100 and read over and over.

I interpreted what he meant was as this: it's better to re-read, absorb and understand fewer good books deeply than simply speed read everything on the best seller list for the sake of saying you did it.

PatAg said:

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I think what you would find is, while you may think you dont remember much about the books, if you were to start reading them again it would all come back to you mid-read.

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Interesting. Like a deja vu.

Sure. I just don't know who really reads for clout anymore. Maybe guys in that scene? And they all seem to love personal optimization, which I've always thought has been narcissistic. (Not just wanting to be healthy and taking the necessary steps.) Just how they go about it…off-putting.

Also, idk. It's always good to at least try reading, watching, and listening to new stuff, irrespective of age or situation.

I read one or two books a week. Mostly fiction/historical fiction, but I do read non-fiction and history as well. For me, it depends on the book. I may read a series of books, but a month later, the character names will escape me. If I see the book again in Amazon, I will remember reading it based on the main character's name.

Books that I enjoy more, I will have a greater retention. Books that are enjoyable, but don't stand out, I will remember the plot, but not all of the character names.

I read a lot. To me it completely depends on the quality of the work and my interest / enjoyment level of a particular book. The really good ones - I would do well on the test. The average ones - not so much.

Have learned over the years that I can go back and reread my favorites because inevitably I forget a lot of the details even though I know where the story goes. The details make rereads enjoyable.

I suppose it is similar to TV or movies. The good ones stand out and the average ones run together.

I've reread a handful of books over the years, and I've always enjoyed it. But I've mostly felt that my time should be spent reading new stuff. Now I'm rethinking that idea. If I'm only getting 30% out of a good book on the first read, and I can get 80% out after a re-read, then I should devote more time to re-reads. Why risk wasting time on the new Nelson DeMille (which I've heard IS a waste of time), when I can re-read Jurassic Park and enjoy it more while seeing things I missed the first time? This could be the game-changer I needed.

Quad Dog said:

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For me it depends on the book. Somethings I really dig into and enjoy and remember a ton. Others I know going in this is pure pleasure and I won't remember much.
I never remember character names well, but I am good about their characteristics. Even while reading a book I won't know names well. Oddly, when I read names I just read them as collections of letters instead of actual words, also probably why I'm bad with names in real life.
But I definitely connect with emotions of books. I can remember how they made me feel, or how the characters felt much more than I can remember plot details.


However, my wife remembers nothing. She tears through books constantly and has no recollection. She read the Harry Potter books and then watched the movies and was shocked by some of the major plot points she had read about previously.

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I can remember the song but don't ask me the name of the song or album it's on.

Like most of you, it depends.

Philo B 93 said:

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- Would you remember names of four of the main characters?
Could either name a ton, or none at all even if I remember the rough idea of the character

- Could you describe the plot?
Some if might be the most basic level of the plot or a ton of detail.

- Could you describe ways the main characters grew or changed?
Same as question #2

- Could you remember accurately events that happened in the book?
Same as question #2

- how the book started or ended?
Same as question #2

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One thing I'll say, is I'm not necessarily reading to remember. I just want to enjoy something. Just because I enjoyed it doesn't mean I'll remember a ton of detail months/years later. That just means I have a chance to reread books I love and still get entertainment out of them. For instance, I've been considering rereading Old Man's War. I remember the general premise and even a few event, but I don't remember the details. I don't remember a single character's name either.

PatAg said:

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I think what you would find is, while you may think you dont remember much about the books, if you were to start reading them again it would all come back to you mid-read.

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I agree with this in large part. It's the same with me for movies. There have been a few times where I have started movies that I thought I hadn't seen and then about 10 minutes in I realize I actually have seen it.

This is an interesting thread because I actually think about this topic quite frequently and wonder if I have memory issues. I would fail the OP's test spectacularly. I'll finish a book and what I've read fades and is mostly out of memory even within a week. There are a couple of outlier exceptions to this but not many.

My short-term memory only retains critical work things right now. Everything else gets purged. If it's not on my calendar, it doesn't exist. If it's not on my task list, it won't get done.

I've read so many books over the years that I'll buy a new one thinking it looks good, take it home and find another copy I've got that I read 15 years ago.

I forget entire books just a few months after I've read them.

With the exception of the truly great ones. Those are like a painting by a great master. I can remember everything about them, years later.

Not many fall into this category, it's a rare few, but they are like hidden treasures when you discover them.

While we're on this topic, how many of you are bibliophiles? Collectors?

I'd love to have a forum for that, or even a dedicated thread like the gun trading thread on the OB, but instead for buying/selling/trading books.

Anyone else?

4 said:

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While we're on this topic, how many of you are bibliophiles? Collectors?

I'd love to have a forum for that, or even a dedicated thread like the gun trading thread on the OB, but instead for buying/selling/trading books.

Anyone else?

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What level of resources are we talking here? Are we talking about globe hopping to acquire unique historical editions that has no set price? Or getting a special release here or there. Somewhere in between?

I'd be interested but I am definite way more on the humble side of collecting. My Crown Jewels are the leatherbound Sandersons for example.

Well I guess that range holds true for any hobby really. It'd be interesting to see the conversation and offerings for sure. I'm part of a military history book hunting club that will have a unique signed memoir right next to a simple paperback copy of "On War" and everything in between. Some really cool stuff pops up from time to time.

Set one up and see how it goes, I suppose.

Also, completely understand the doubles. Do it often. Last time I moved even found a rare triple copy….

For the most part, if I read it, I don't forget it. I think it's just how my brain works best. I am a really slow reader, though. I am blown away by how many books people on the Books Read thread can get through. If I have a 400-500 page book, and I read every night for 1-2 hours, it's going to take me at least three or four weeks to get through the book, but if you ask me about the book 10 years later, I'll remember details able it. I'll also remember where I was when I read parts of the book.

Because I am such a slow reader, and I find it really difficult to get time to read, I've started listening to audio books. I can get through many more books this way, but I've found I didn't remember the details at all. I remember major plot points, but character names, descriptions, etc. are all just in and out.

4 said:

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While we're on this topic, how many of you are bibliophiles? Collectors?

I'd love to have a forum for that, or even a dedicated thread like the gun trading thread on the OB, but instead for buying/selling/trading books.

Anyone else?

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My wife collects cookbooks. We have over 300 at last count and ended up putting a display case just for them in our kitchen. It's a wide-ranging collection from local fund-raising type cookbooks to celebrity chef cookbooks and everything in between.

Outside of those, we have another 300-400 in our guest room which we use as our "library". We ended up buying bookcases to house those as well. At some point, I want to convert our dining room which is a longer room into a full-blown library-lounge.

If it's a hardback, I keep it. I've replaced paperbacks that I love with hardbacks and gotten rid of the paperback. If it's a paperback type of book, which for me are fun fiction reads (example: The Dresden Files), then I buy those on Kindle now. Otherwise, I only buy hardbacks.

Eliminatus said:

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4 said:

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While we're on this topic, how many of you are bibliophiles? Collectors?

I'd love to have a forum for that, or even a dedicated thread like the gun trading thread on the OB, but instead for buying/selling/trading books.

Anyone else?

---

What level of resources are we talking here? Are we talking about globe hopping to acquire unique historical editions that has no set price? Or getting a special release here or there. Somewhere in between?

I'd be interested but I am definite way more on the humble side of collecting. My Crown Jewels are the leatherbound Sandersons for example.

Well I guess that range holds true for any hobby really. It'd be interesting to see the conversation and offerings for sure. I'm part of a military history book hunting club that will have a unique signed memoir right next to a simple paperback copy of "On War" and everything in between. Some really cool stuff pops up from time to time.

Set one up and see how it goes, I suppose.

Also, completely understand the doubles. Do it often. Last time I moved even found a rare triple copy….

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All of the above I suppose.

YouBet said:

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4 said:

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While we're on this topic, how many of you are bibliophiles? Collectors?

I'd love to have a forum for that, or even a dedicated thread like the gun trading thread on the OB, but instead for buying/selling/trading books.

Anyone else?

---

My wife collects cookbooks. We have over 300 at last count and ended up putting a display case just for them in our kitchen. It's a wide-ranging collection from local fund-raising type cookbooks to celebrity chef cookbooks and everything in between.

Outside of those, we have another 300-400 in our guest room which we use as our "library". We ended up buying bookcases to house those as well. At some point, I want to convert our dining room which is a longer room into a full-blown library-lounge.

If it's a hardback, I keep it. I've replaced paperbacks that I love with hardbacks and gotten rid of the paperback. If it's a paperback type of book, which for me are fun fiction reads (example: The Dresden Files), then I buy those on Kindle now. Otherwise, I only buy hardbacks.

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I'm like you, hardcovers only and preferably first editions.

I really don't like the trend of certain publishers only publishing books in paperback or e book form now. Hate it when hardcover isn't an option.

About 6 mo. after finishing Lonesome Dove, I mistakingly "recalled" that Augusts slapped around the bartender in a Fort Worth bar... wrong. It was in San Antonio.

Lonesome Dove is one of those rare books where you remember a lot after reading. I wish I could understand why.

4 said:

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YouBet said:

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4 said:

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While we're on this topic, how many of you are bibliophiles? Collectors?

I'd love to have a forum for that, or even a dedicated thread like the gun trading thread on the OB, but instead for buying/selling/trading books.

Anyone else?

---

My wife collects cookbooks. We have over 300 at last count and ended up putting a display case just for them in our kitchen. It's a wide-ranging collection from local fund-raising type cookbooks to celebrity chef cookbooks and everything in between.

Outside of those, we have another 300-400 in our guest room which we use as our "library". We ended up buying bookcases to house those as well. At some point, I want to convert our dining room which is a longer room into a full-blown library-lounge.

If it's a hardback, I keep it. I've replaced paperbacks that I love with hardbacks and gotten rid of the paperback. If it's a paperback type of book, which for me are fun fiction reads (example: The Dresden Files), then I buy those on Kindle now. Otherwise, I only buy hardbacks.

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I'm like you, hardcovers only and preferably first editions.

I really don't like the trend of certain publishers only publishing books in paperback or e book form now. Hate it when hardcover isn't an option.

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They're expensive to print; and unfortunately amazon has had a pretty deleterious effect on this, imo.

The American publishing industry isn't great, to say the least. For literary fiction especially.

The Brits definitely do a better job, although even they have joined the trend.

Canelo publishes some really good authors, but they don't do hardcovers at all.

I'll generally try to buy the UK first edition of a book over the US edition if I can.

Just installed huge bookshelves in our former dining room and now library. My wife now wants a ladder on rails to reach the high books.