How to Remember (Almost) Everything, Ever!

August 15, 2016
The brain is “one of the most incredible computers on Earth,” Eastaway writes in the introduction to this manual devoted to how memories are formed and retrieved, and how the memory can be made stronger. Memory games, exercises, and experiments provide readers with ways to gauge and build on their strengths, and Eastaway includes additional insight into the inner workings of the mind with anecdotes about amnesia, memory triggers, photographic memories, and other topics. A final section shows how the mind can be tricked into memorizing chunks of information through 50 mnemonics, including ways to remember the first seven U.S. presidents, the colors of the rainbow, and the smallest atoms. It’s a solid, interactive guide for readers with a natural drive toward self-improvement, as well as those curious about the mind’s capabilities. Ages 7–up.

November 1, 2016
Grades 4-8 This nonfiction import from Great Britain straddles a fine line between study aid and novelty book. After a brief introduction, the book is separated into three parts: part one investigates different ways to train one's brain to retain information, part two discusses the scientific sides of the brain and the way it works in terms of memory, and part three is a collection of 50 mnemonics for readers to learn. The writing is conversational, keeping the tone of the book casual and fun rather than academic and ponderous. There are many experiments that readers can try to increase their brain power or improve their memory skills. Line art breaks up the text, as do word lists, quizzes, and challenges that require the reader to flip through pages. Although there is an attempt to present this book as a resource for students who want to increase their study skills, a lack of sources and overall reference qualification makes this a book that will appeal most to fans of puzzles and games.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)