The Plot Escapes Me

So, how much can you remember? Do you need lists and alarms to remind you what to do and when? Or do you have some kind of photographic memory that allows you to remain an amazing percentage of the information that comes your way on any given day? Can you remember how many touchdown's your favorite football player scored two years ago, or what your wife wore on your first date? Or do you struggle just to remember your husband's birthday and your parent's anniversary?

I read an article recently by James Collins where he was discussing why he reads as much as he does, when he simply cannot retain even a small percentage of the information found in these books. He had this to say:

"These are books I loved...but all I associate with them is an atmosphere and a stray image or two, like memories of trips I took as a child. Nor do I think I am the only one with this problem. Certainly, there are those who can read a book once and retain everything that was in it, but anecdotal evidence suggests that this is not the case with most people. Anecdotal evidence suggests that most people cannot recall the title or author or even the existence of a book they read a month ago, much less its contents.

So we in the forgetful majority must, I think, confront the following question: Why read books if we can't remember what is in them?"

This is an important question for me, as I strive to read 5 books every month, as well as several periodicals. For the past 10 years I have charted this reading, striving to cover a variety of genres and styles. But last year I was fired from my long term preaching position, and for the past 12 months I have been slowly winnowing my book collection with the (sometimes) able help of Half Price Books. And as I sorted books, I (like Mr. Collins) realized how little of these volumes I could really remember.

And so I have asked myself, why continue to read (and often purchase) so many volumes? I guess the only thing I can say is that I have a thirst for knowledge. It is this thirst, this quest, that keeps my creative fires burning. Even when I am not 'remembering' the material well, I believe it is grist for the creative mill, and fuel for my fire. So I will keep reading, but maybe I will check more out from the library, or continue my solid relationship with half price books. I need it to survive.