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Stop forgetting what you read: The art of retaining nonfiction đź§
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If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking. - Haruki Murakami, Norwegian Wood
Hi Reader, a few years ago, I finished reading what I thought was one of the most impactful nonfiction books I’d ever come across. I highlighted passages, nodded along to the key insights, and felt inspired to change my habits. But a few months later, when I tried to recall the book’s lessons, my mind went blank. The details that had felt so valuable at the time were gone, leaving only a vague impression of what I’d learned. Sound familiar? Many of us experience this frustration. Nonfiction books are packed with knowledge, strategies, and life-changing advice, but so much of it slips away if we’re not intentional about how we read and engage with the material. The truth is, retaining what you read isn’t just about memory—it’s about active engagement. When you approach reading with a purpose and use strategies to connect with the material, you’ll hold on to more of the ideas that matter and be able to apply them when it counts. The science of forgettingHave you ever wondered why it’s so hard to recall the details of a book just days or weeks after you’ve finished it? The answer lies in how our brains process and store information. German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus studied this phenomenon over a century ago and introduced the concept of the forgetting curve. His research revealed that, without reinforcement, we forget up to 80% of newly learned information within just a few days. This rapid memory decay happens because our brains prioritize efficiency: they let go of information we don’t actively use to make room for new experiences. But the problem isn’t just about memory—it’s also about how we approach reading. When we read passively, skimming words or simply consuming ideas without deeper engagement, those ideas are less likely to stick. In contrast, active learning—through questioning, summarizing, or applying what we read—encourages our brains to store information in ways that make it easier to recall later. The good news? Retention isn’t fixed. It’s a skill you can develop. By understanding how memory works and adopting habits that promote active learning, you can remember more, recall ideas more easily, and truly benefit from the books you read. While you're readingHow you approach a book as you’re reading can make all the difference in what you retain. Active engagement is the key. Here’s how to do it:
Reading actively may take a little extra time, but it ensures the ideas stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. After you finish readingWhat you do after finishing a nonfiction book is just as important as how you read it. The goal is to solidify what you’ve learned and make it easily accessible for the future. Here’s how:
By taking these steps, you’ll transform your reading into long-term learning and make the book’s lessons a lasting part of your life. Next week's book releasesWhat I've been readingLast week I was enthusiastic about getting back into reading, and what can I say? I had a really bad reading week. But I try not to stress too much about that because I know that better times are definitely coming. I will continue The Bill Gates Problem this coming week. If you would like to see snippets from this book while I read it, follow me on Instagram. I often post book snippets in my stories. Thanks for reading! I'll be back in your inbox next Sunday. Let me know what you'd like to see explored in future issues. Talk soon, P.S.: Don't have time to read an entire book but still want to soak up the key insights? Head over to my online shop for expertly crafted book summaries that give you all the wisdom in a fraction of the time! Perfect for busy readers who crave knowledge on the go:
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​Miss Nonfiction
I'm a reader who loves to talk about nonfiction books and all things personal development. Subscribe and receive weekly news on the latest book releases, my reading updates, and more!
It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor. – Seneca Hi Reader, reading is often seen as a quiet, solitary activity—just you, a book, and maybe a cup of coffee. And while that sounds amazing, what if I told you that reading in public could be even more powerful? I don’t mean reading on public transport (though that’s great too). I’m talking about reading as part of a network—discussing books, sharing ideas, and learning alongside others. Some of my biggest...
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Courage calls each of us differently, at different times, in different forms. But in every case it is, as they say, coming from inside the house. – Ryan Holiday, Courage Is Calling Hi Reader, before we get into this week's topics, I have some things to share. First, I've started updating my book summaries that I have uploaded on Gumroad so far. They now come in a new design, and each book that I summarize will come in three different formats: A long, written summary (usually between 20 to 50...