Overview of REMEMBER

Harvard neuroscientist Lisa Genova reveals why we forget names yet remember trauma. "Remember" demystifies memory science with insights praised by Steven Pinker, offering practical strategies that transformed readers' lives. Sleep more, stress less - your memories aren't failing, they're just being human.

Key Themes in REMEMBER

  • memory formation
  • attentional focus
  • neuroscience of forgetting
  • cognitive health
  • brain plasticity

Quotes from REMEMBER

  • Memory lapses are universal human experiences, yet they often trigger anxiety about cognitive decline.

  • Memory isn't a single system but a complex network of interconnected processes.

  • Our brains aren't designed to remember everything-they prioritize what matters most while discarding the mundane.

  • Each memory physically changes your brain, creating lasting alterations in response to experiences.

Characters in REMEMBER

  • Lisa GenovaAuthor and Harvard-trained neuroscientist
  • Henry Molaison (HM)Famous case study who could not form new memories
  • Akira HaraguchiMan who memorized pi to 111,700 digits

About the Author

About the Author of REMEMBER

Lisa Genova, neuroscientist and New York Times bestselling author of Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting, combines her expertise in brain science with accessible storytelling to explore memory, Alzheimer’s, and neurological disorders.

A Harvard-trained PhD in neuroscience and former Harvard Medical School instructor, she bridges academic rigor with empathetic narratives, drawing from her work with organizations like the National Alzheimer’s Association and DementiaUSA. Her TED Talks on memory and Alzheimer’s prevention have garnered over 11 million views, and she’s appeared on The Dr. Oz Show, Today, and NPR.

Genova’s acclaimed novels—including Still Alice (adapted into an Oscar-winning film), Left Neglected, and Every Note Played—examine neurodiversity and resilience. Still Alice has sold over 2.6 million copies worldwide and been translated into 37 languages, cementing her reputation as a leading voice in neuroscience literature.

Download Summary of REMEMBER

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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

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