Lisa Genova’s latest book addresses brain function and memory formation. Having studied this in graduate school thirty years ago I was interested in how the research in this area has evolved over the years. I was surprised that so much of what Genova discusses was consistent with theories from years ago. She did an excellent job of providing everyday examples to illustrate the concepts. This reads much like a cognitive science text but it is a great resource for educators as well as those concerned with the aging process. Knowing how memories are formed can impact teaching modes and styles. It can also help the aging population better understand the difference between memory loss and never-formed memories. I enjoyed it and I recommend it.

Lisa Genova has a degree in biopsychology and a Harvard Uni PhD in neuroscience.   She's also written award winning novels, most notably Still Alice which was made into an Oscar winning movie.     Knowing all of these facts didn't guarantee I'd enjoy her latest non-fiction title <b>Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting</b> but it certainly increased my enthusiasm for reading it.    For the record, I was spellbound from the very first word until the last and am sure it will be a book I will long remember (pun intended) and will return to time and again.

I made copious notes as I read, so great was my interest and my level of engagement with the book.  It was both informative and incredibly easy to read as she used accessible language and included examples that I'm sure would resonate with readers of all ages.     Not only did she explain how the memory works but she set out to assure readers that forgetting can be equally important (yes, you read that right...I was surprised too).     A couple of her chapters were dedicated to Alzheimer's, differentiating between normal lapses of memory and those memory changes and losses that are more likely to be of concern.     Importantly she wrote about everyday things we can each do to protect our memories and to reduce the risk of Alzheimers.

Sure, I'll admit I have a strong interest in brain function so perhaps I'm biased but I honestly believe this book will be a huge success.   
There is something of value to be found for all readers whether like me you're simply interested in learning, or you're a student looking to enhance your study skills or if you or other family members are aging and showing signs of memory loss.   Highly recommended.

 My thanks to the author, Harmony Books, (an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC) and NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review which it was my pleasure to provide.
4,5 stars o Goodreads

When I received this ARC, I was worried that it would be like reading a textbook about the brain. I shouldn’t have worried. This was one of the most interesting books I’ve read in a long time. Genova writes in such a way that it seems like she is just chatting with the reader. I liked the way she mixed medical research with personal anecdotes. There were explanations about the different areas of the brain and what types of memories they aid. I particularly liked the reassurances about normal lapses in memory and tips to hopefully prevent Alzheimer’s. Highly recommend!

Genova is one of my favorite authors, and I have never forgotten her book “Still Alice”. This book helps me understand why I REMEMBER!

A big thank you to Lisa Genova! She took away my secret fear that I must be heading towards dementia. Just last week I was in the middle of talking and completely forgot my point! It’s okay! Genova explains why this happens.

One cool thing I learned was how to remember a grocery list (of course any list will do). Six items were listed and I’ll be darned, when I used her method I could remember every item, in fact, still can!

Genova has packed a lot into this book, but sometimes I felt things were repeated too often. Well duh, that was probably the point!

Loved it!
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review.
Mention Lisa Genova and I am in. I loved Still Alice both for her authoritative views on diseases or injuries to the brain, but for her writing style. Remember is a non-fiction read on memory, how we remember, what we remember and what we forget, and what is normal aging vs Alzheimer’s. The topic is interesting, but Genova puts it all in plain language that is easy to understand without ever talking down to the audience. Books like this could easily go off the rails with too many scientific terms, but Genova having a background in novel writing helps her present this information well. Way better than a textbook. I’ve already mentioned it to several people and will recommend this to patrons. 5*

Tried my best to get into this book as I have loved everything Lisa Genova has written and I was so excited to read this book. I love her style of writing (similar to Malcolm Gladwell) but unfortunately for me this read a little bit too much like an article in a scientific journal. Perhaps I will try again when I am more focused and don't have anything else to read, but currently its a no from me.

When I heard Lisa Genova was coming out with a new book, I was super excited...then I learned that it was a non-fiction. Hmmm...well, I have loved all of her books so I'll give this one a try. I LOVED it!! This is the first time that I take notes while reading a book. She explains how the brain works, the different types of memories, how memories are created and the importance of forgetting in layman terms so her readers can follow along. I truly enjoyed it! I highly recommend it!

Thanks Lisa Genova for writing it, NetGalley and Rodale Inc for the ARC.

Lisa Genova is one of the five people I would love to invite to a dinner party (remember those, once upon a time?). I have read every one of her books and the latest, Remember, is a book about the workings of memory. What great conversation we could have!

Lisa knows a lot about this subject as she is a neuroscientist. She breaks down complicated information in an easy to read and understandable way. I had no idea that we have a number of memory centers in the brain and how they differ related to what memories are being stored. Her chapters are broken down by various memory-related information. Pay Attention, In the Moment and Muscle Memory are just a few. Lisa also includes brain exercise examples the reader can try. I didn’t do very well (sad face). An excellent book.

*will post closer to publication date.

I normally don’t read non-fiction, but I’m sure glad I read this one. It was very informative, without being cumbersome. I’ve had several relatives with dementia and I was concerned about my own memory, but I am reassured that my senior moments are completely normal. I will definitely be recommending this book to my family and friends.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Remember by Lisa Genova is a compelling read for anyone interested in memory and brain health. I was drawn to this book because I am a fan of Genova’s writing. Information concerning the science of memory and forgetting is written for all readers, no advance degrees necessary. For a non-fiction book, this was “unputdownable.” I highly recommend Remember to anyone searching for quick and easy tips to protect your memory, but also for readers who enjoy learning a new thing or two.

This is the third or fourth book that I’ve read by Lisa Genova, and the first that is a non-fictional portrait of a disease. Genova already covered the fallibility of memory in Still Alice, but this covers the topic of memory for those who worry about their own memory slipping, or their loved ones, and more. From Marilu Henner’s remarkable memory to those she counts among her friends who suffer from some level of memory loss, those who are struggling, this covers a vast amount of territory. Still, Genova always manages to keep it from becoming anything close to a textbook presentation of a scientific topic, even though she includes lots of facts, at the same time she also manages to keep this readable, even entertaining at times.

Memory is based on many things, but also influenced by our emotions of that moment. If we associate a place, for instance, with a moment that brought us great happiness, falling in love, a moment in time or place, or achieving a lifelong dream, these memories of a place are then influenced by those feelings - which isn’t a bad thing, necessarily, but let’s say if that love story has a less-than-happy ending, your desire to return to that once special place may diminish because of the association. ’Memory is the sum of what we remember and what we forget.’

For those worried about dementia, or those worried about loved ones who are struggling with their memory, or anyone interested in this topic - this is a must read. Genova’s style of sharing makes this a captivating read, offering advice on how to improve your ability to retain information, along with advice on how your lifestyle affects your memory. Reading this felt more like a personal conversation with Genova, or sitting inside a classroom with a loved and trusted teacher who always held your attention, whose every word was welcome, reassuring advice from a friend. Genova offers anecdotes that offer some comfort for those everyday lapses in memory - forgetting the name of a person who met once at a party, forgetting where you parked your car, or left your car keys, or returning from the store only to realize you forgot to pick up one of the items that you went there to buy.


Pub Date: 23 Mar 2021


Many thanks for the ARC provided by Rodale Inc. / Harmony Books

#Remember #NetGalley

Lisa Genova distills the science into a compelling, easy-to-read, insightful book. She teaches that the memory slips we all commonly have shouldn't cause us stress. She also gives tips for improving our memories. She communicates with wit, empathy, and clarity.

Some of the takeaways are somewhat obvious — for example, that we can improve our memories by paying more attention — I assume that she addresses those topics not because they are novel or insightful, but because they are important.

Overall, a great book!

Lisa Genova has written a wonderful resource about memory and the science behind it. She makes the neuroscience involved in remembering events, facts and learned skills accessible to everyone. I found myself highlighting passages which I found enlightening and personally useful. Highly recommended to anyone questioning whether they have normal memory issues, or neurological disease.

This book was about memory, what it is and how to enhance it. Written by a Ph.d neurologist famous for novels utilizing her knowledge, most notably, Still Alice, it as a good treatise using layman’s language. Although I was expecting a novel, I’m glad I read it.. it as very easy to understand and offered good recommendations and reassurances.

A perfect blend of science and advice
Practically everyone worries a bit about their memory and would like to understand more about how it works, how to protect our ability to remember, what to expect as we age, and what kinds of issues are genuine cause for concern.
To improve your memory it helps to understand how it works. Genova explains the three kinds of memories: semantic (George Washington was our first president.), episodic (my wedding day), and muscle (how to tee off on the golf course), which are handled somewhat differently in the brain. She also breaks down the steps in memory. First, we have to pay attention to acquire the memory, then we must store it in our short-term memory, consolidate it into a long-term memory, and retrieve it when we need it. These steps use different parts of the brain, and all of the steps must work properly if I want to pass that test or avoid sending that golf ball into the weeds.
Lisa Genova, who is both a neuroscientist and a talented fiction author, is the perfect person to explain memory to general readers, and she does a truly masterful job. Many books on scientific subjects ostensibly for laypeople read as if they are intended for an academic journal, while others dumb things down to the point that the reader doesn’t really learn anything. Genova hits the “sweet spot”, and I came away with a much better understanding of how my memory works (or doesn’t work). It was a useful book, but it was also fascinating, like the story of HM, the famous patient whose hippocampus was totally destroyed. He could not acquire any new semantic or episodic memories and would not recognize a doctor who came to treat him every day, but he still could form new muscle memories and learn new physical skills!
Spoiler Alert: There is no magic cure for memory problems, and some people will get Alzheimer’s no matter how hard we try, but there are steps we can take to improve or protect our memories at any age. Remember gives the readers a number of things they can do that will “improve or impair” their memory. The science background helps the reader understand the basis for why elements like sleep or stress or diet can affect our memory. It gave me some insights into where I think I might personally be most vulnerable and what I might do to keep my memory functioning better longer.
Whether you are interested in science or just want to retain your ability to remember, Remember is a book I do not think you will forget!

I've read many of Lisa Genova's fiction works, which are extremely informative and focus on specific diseases and conditions, giving the audience an inside look at what the patients go through.

This nonfiction work delves into the mind, how and why we remember and forget. It contains very readable short chapters, separated into topics that deal with various aspects of memory. It's fascinating and enlightening; lots of tidbits to weave into everyday conversation. She also provides strategies on how to improve your memory and when to actually be concerned about your own mental well-being.

I got this book on a whim because I recognized the authors name, Lisa Genova. I did not realize it was non-fiction. I do read quite a few non-fiction books so I was game to try this one. The book is named correctly, it is all about our memories and what we forget. Memory is important to me since my father died of Alzheimer's and I am always looking for signs. No one wants that dreadful disease! Well this book helps put some of the Alzheimer's concerns to rest. You don't have that disease just because you cannot remember why you walked into the bedroom or what you were going to grab from the refrigerator.

The book is very readable and tells good stories about real life people that have amazing memories and some people that leave things in cabs that you would never think they would forget. To me the best part of the book was the last section where she tells us some practical things we can do to improve our memories. I took notes through the last section so I can remember some of her suggestions. Hint: writing things down is a good thing to help you remember but there are many other suggestions that can be implemented easily into everyday life to help us remember.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #LisaGenova, #Harmony for a copy of #Remember in exchange for an honest review. If you are interested in learning more about the brain and how it works or put your mind to rest that you don't have early onset Alzheimer's because you cannot remember where you left your glasses, this is an interesting book. I really appreciated the practical ways to improve memory.

I have read all of Lisa Genova's books and each one has a special place in my heart. This one is on a completely different level but once again, she has nailed it. I am in my 60's and unfortunately I have alzheimers in my family tree. This book could not have come at a better time in my life. The explanations and suggestions she gave will certainly help me watch but not worry needlessly. I feel like I just had a multiple hour psychiatric session, except it was enjoyable. I highly recommend if you sometimes think you are l0sing your mind when you forgot where you parked your car when it was just because you did not pay attention. I will anxiously await my next read from Ms Genova. I was granted an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review. High 5 stars.

So very interesting! i learn so many things! If you are interested in memory or the brain, than you should check this book and no worry it's really easy to read, surprisingly easy! i highly recommend it!

As someone who never picked up Still Alice because it touched too close to home, I was thrilled to see this non-fiction book by the same author. Somehow, delving into the science of this personal and scary subject matter feels more empowering than scary. I think this would also make for a great audiobook.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.