Posted by 10 Memory Improvement Books to Teach You How to Remember Anything
Memory Improvement books are a great way to improve your brainpower. If you’re someone who struggles with remembering names or information, you probably often have that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when you realize that you’ve forgotten something.
Luckily, memory improvement isn’t impossible, and there are many books on the market that can help you learn how to remember practically anything and improve your memory in general. In this article, we’ll review ten of the best books on improving your memory so that you can take control of your brain and boost your confidence and intelligence.
1) Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer
This is a fascinating read that chronicles Foer’s quest to become a memory champion. While it can be a bit too technical for some, others will find themselves learning invaluable techniques that they can immediately apply in their own lives.
Foer’s style is conversational and engaging, and he makes his point across without making you feel like your average brain isn’t capable of learning and using these skills. One word of warning: This book isn’t necessarily easy reading by any means – if you aren’t particularly interested in memory or psychology, it may seem like an uphill battle at times.
That said, it’s well worth it for anyone who has always wished they could remember where they left their keys.
2) The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle
This book takes us into three of America’s great homegrown sports, baseball, basketball, and football and reveals something stunning: in each sport there are a handful of cities or regions that produce far more talent than all others.
These places have no greater natural resources than their rivals, nor do they have better access to coaches or equipment. What they do have is something less tangible but more powerful: a culture that breeds excellence.
In The Talent Code, Coyle draws on cutting-edge neuroscience and psychology research, much of it his own — to describe exactly what goes on at these hotbeds for developing talent, such as Ann Arbor and Fort Wayne in basketball; Santa Clara County and Long Island in baseball; Indiana in football.
3) Train Your Brain by Thom Hartmann
Hartmann’s book teaches you how memory works and, more importantly, what you can do to improve your own. Hartmann breaks down memory improvement into four key steps: Train Your Brain (How Memory Works), Upgrade Your Software (Tips for Improving Your Workday Memory), Supercharge Your Hardware (Brain Exercises for a Sharper Mind), and Escape from Cubicle Nation (Improving your Long-Term Memories).
This is a great starter book for those new to memory improvement. While it may not give advanced tips and techniques, there are several self-hypnosis exercises that can help you remember anything. While it is extremely easy reading, it will train your brain on how memory works as well as provide some short term strategies.
4) Masterminds & Wingmen by Michael J. Mauboussin
I’m a huge fan of Michael Mauboussin’s work on behavioral economics, and his book is packed with practical lessons. The first several chapters are all about building rapport with other people and how much of an impact that can have on your success.
There are also some powerful lessons about setting goals, how important it is to write them down, what you should do after you set them, etc. and effectively communicating in groups. Masterminds & Wingmen isn’t actually focused on improving memory, but as I mentioned earlier, one thing that often affects memory is effective communication with others.
5) Deep Work by Cal Newport
Cal Newport, author of Deep Work and an associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University, offers a guide to getting more done in less time by reclaiming your attention from distractions.
We’re spending our days juggling multiple tasks, Newport says. And we’re always trying to optimize for how many things we can get done in a day, or a week. But it turns out multitasking isn’t necessarily efficient.
6) A Mind for Numbers by Barbara Oakley
Oakley’s book is aimed at college students looking to get more out of their studies, but it will benefit anyone who wants a mental workout.
A Mind for Numbers is designed to help you learn how your brain works and use that knowledge to boost your ability to memorize and retain information from social security numbers and medical information (like blood type) to random lists of words like those on memory competitions.
The book helps you develop better study habits, break down complex topics into simpler pieces, and increase your attention span. It also goes beyond rote memorization by providing some concrete exercises you can use even when studying other things.
7) Memorize anything in less than a week! (Cognitive Productivity Book 1) by Joe Baker
This book teaches you how to memorize all sorts of things. Each chapter covers a different memorization technique, explaining it in an easy-to-understand way with lots of great examples and practice exercises. With practice, you’ll be able to memorize poetry, shopping lists and anything else you need.
I read through this book once and then started using what I’d learned—it really works! (Cognitive Productivity Book 1) by Joe Baker: This book teaches you how to memorize all sorts of things. Each chapter covers a different memorization technique, explaining it in an easy-to-understand way with lots of great examples and practice exercises.
8) Focus and Good Stuff Will Follow by Mike Bryan
This book has a very specific focus on how to improve your memory. If you’re looking for general tips and tools, look elsewhere, but if you want an in-depth strategy for improving your memory then Focus is a great place to start.
It’s extremely detailed but easy to read, and focuses on a specific type of memory (visual) which is helpful if that’s what you need help with. The author provides real-world examples of putting his strategy into practice, including follow up questions at key points so you can really dig into understanding where he’s coming from.
There are exercises sprinkled throughout that give you opportunities to apply his strategies right away, too. A great option for beginners.
9) Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed
Does an elite athlete’s brain work differently than yours? What if you could design a memory-boosting computer? We can’t access our brains like we do our iPhones, but in Black Box Thinking, Matthew Syed shows us how we can transform how we learn, how we innovate, and how each of us can achieve more.
Forget everything you’ve ever been told about talent, Syed debunks old myths and introduces us to exciting new research that reveals just what is possible.
10) Spark – The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain (for Body, Mind, Spirit – Empowerment Book 2) by John J. Ratey, Mark A. Pollack
Spark is a book about exercise and neuroscience, written by John J. Ratey and Mark A. Pollack. The following table of contents should give you an idea of what it’s about: Introduction / Greetings / Why We Wrote This Book / How To Use This Book / Step 1: Prepare Your Mind and Body for Action / Step 2: Exercise Your Mind and Body with Optimal Exercises / Step 3: Lifestyle Changes That Support Exercise, Growth, and Healing / Discovering Secrets Along The Way For Optimal Health
Memory Improvement Books Conclusion
There are so many tricks for improving your memory, but at its core, one thing is clear: memories aren’t made, they’re grown. With repetition and commitment, you can build stronger memories with much more detail than those who wing it.
We can teach ourselves to remember and we don’t need a magic pill or crazy software program. As long as you have a pen and paper (or keyboard), you have everything you need.
