Improving your memory with Joshua Foer: Moonwalking with Einstein

There are items and services I use, like, and sometimes write about here at braeuNERD, where you can find affiliate links. If you take action (i.e. make a purchase) after clicking them, I'll probably earn a few bucks from it and get myself a coffee (at no extra cost to you!). I only recommend items and services I've vetted or books I've read.

You can ask my boyfriend (and probably many other friends) how annoying it is that most times I remember the tiniest details of a conversation or event. In some situations, it comes in very handy. In others, it can be torture. But of course, I also forget things – it is not that good.

Before reading this book I had not realized how much my upbringing and school’s education method made this “good memory” a now-inherent characteristic of me. That, and other experiences, have added to how attentive I am to my surroundings day-to-day (my overall anxiety might have something to do with this too – but moving on). You see, the ability to remember anything (or everything) is not something we’re necessarily born with. We can all work on it to improve our memory. No matter how young or old we are.

That’s what Joshua Foer demonstrates through this book as he tells us the story of how he ended up participating in the U.S. Memory Championship (yes, that’s a thing). A still-unpopular history lesson, intriguing super-humans, and an often funny style, the author brings us along in his personal journey, and gives us some tips and tricks to train our brains and improve our memory. It’s light, fun to read, and helpful. Say goodbye to writing down your grocery lists!