Do you remember the books that you've read?

"I cannot remember the books I've read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Regular readers of this blog will know that I consider myself to be a somewhat voracious reader. I always have a book or three on the go, and I read across different genres as well as a mix of fiction and non-fiction. I read quickly but carefully, I don't skip ahead, and with a well written book I enjoy savouring each word. Sometimes I even take notes, or at least write short impressions in my journal.

However I must admit that I am terrible at remembering a book once I've finished it. I usually find that there is something in each book I read that really sticks with me. It might be an event, a character, or even just a small piece of description. Apart from that, after a few weeks the plot is generally lost to me.

People will often ask me if I've read a particular book, and I know that I have, but I just can't remember what it was about. I can watch a film adaptation without worry because I have no idea how the story ends, let alone if it was faithful to the book. Many times I've gone to log a new book in Goodreads and discover that I've already read it, sometimes quite recently.

Photo credit Susan Q Yin via Unsplash

I have a particular problem with books that I read on Kindle. I think it's because both the tactile experience of a physical book and seeing the book cover around help it to fix in my mind. All Kindle books look exactly the same when you are reading them, whereas physical books vary in font size, type and page colour.

However once I've finished a book I do have a very strong impression of whether or not I liked it. If it's a physical book that I loved then it goes straight onto my bookshelf, and I can re-read with joy because even if I can't remember it I know that it is worth it. And some of my favourite books I have read many times, and I can remember them well.

When I really get into a book I literally can't put it down. That's why I love the portability of my Kindle - I can have it in one hand while I stir the dinner or brush my teeth. There is also always a new book that I want to read. So I view my experience of reading very much as something that I am enjoying in the moment. It doesn't matter too much if all I can remember about the book is that I loved reading it!

Can you remember all the books that you've read?