Electronic books affecting memory? - Cure Parkinson's

Cure Parkinson's

26,583 members27,897 posts

Electronic books affecting memory?

kaypeeoh profile image
11 Replies

Weird, I read 61 hours by Lee Child several years ago. But I read it on a Nook. I've got all of Child's books on my Nook. In a real bookstore I spied __61 Hours.__ Scanning the back page it didn't seem familiar.

Maybe I had planned on reading it on my Nook but never did; The past year has been a nightmare of complications and problems. So I bought the paperback and am reading it now. There are some familiar parts but not all.

Parkinson's Disease affects balance but not memory. It's not Alzheimers. But is the problem my Nook? Do I have to visit the bookstore and buy all the Child books on paperback?

Anyone else had this problem of retention with electronic books?

kpo

Written by
kaypeeoh profile image
kaypeeoh
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
11 Replies
Enidah profile image
Enidah

Yes, I have the same experience with my Kindle. You can ask me what I'm reading and I have no idea what the book is called. If you're reading a physical book you see the cover and the name of the book and the author every time you pick it up to read and it is a sensory experience as every book feels and smells and looks different. I miss that sensory relationship with books but I have too much arm pain and I read in bed before I go to sleep... too hard to hold the books up. So what you're talking about makes perfect sense.

I have had the experience of starting a book and then realizing that is very familiar and I must have read it already. My memory deficit affords me the opportunity to re-read books and enjoy them twice. That's what you call putting a positive spin on something.☺️

PD doesn't cause memory problems? I'll have to check on that because I certainly thought it did.

kaypeeoh profile image
kaypeeoh in reply toEnidah

Thanks for the note. A friend said it's easier to SCAN an e-book compared with reading a real book. The simple act of turning pages keeps one focused on the material. I know there must be a way of dog-earing the page electronically that I've stopped at but haven't learned how.

kpo

Juliegrace profile image
Juliegrace in reply tokaypeeoh

Are you asking about a bookmark function? If you are, you simply tap lightly in the upper right corner of your device and you will see a blue bookmark. Tap again to make it go away.

bookish profile image
bookish in reply toEnidah

I am really sorry that you are having too much arm pain to hold a book. I have had the same problem in the past. Your post made me really happy because of the description of the sensory pleasures of real books. I have to confess that I (try to) sell books (old ones) for a living, having had to change my job years ago because of health problems. I love reading and love books, which is why I chose to do this. I used to use a wooden book stand which sat over my legs on the bed and had little clips to hold the pages open, like a music stand. Not perfect, but better than no books. Now you can get book pillows which look much better and probably work better too. I love to re-read, especially when really struggling - going back to a well-known and much loved book is so soothing. My best wishes to you

BlueHawaii profile image
BlueHawaii

My understanding is that PD most certainly can cause memory issues. In fact, it is some people's presenting symptom.

Astra7 profile image
Astra7

I read loads of books on Kindle, but have almost no memory of them unless they are particularly special. I think it’s because I don’t have a colour picture to link the book too. It might also be that I read a lot of trash!!

ned-kelly profile image
ned-kelly

i have just been sent 50 plus e books for free help yourself please.

beforeus.com/shopcart-ebook...

alaynedellow profile image
alaynedellow

I find i can skim my kindle easily. Lose that bond with a real book. But kindle is light n ready to go if just a light read. Just read Harper Lee's 'go set a watchma' in hardback and really enjoyed it.

kaypeeoh profile image
kaypeeoh

Still reading Lee Child's Jack Reacher. He's in south Dakota in winter and trying to get out. I copied this:

"The wind was steady out of the west. All the way from Wyoming. It was bitter. Reacher had been in Wyoming in winter, and survived. He made a mental note never to risk it again..."

He's in a snowstorm in South Dakota in negative temps and he's worried about our Wyoming weather.

Tomorrow is Dad's army funeral. He was cremated two years ago but mom was never able to have the funeral. I think it's only happening now because I showed up and insisted.

I brought a black suit I haven't worn in 10 years. It took ten minute to secure the elastic waist band and I can't close the shirt's top button. No way of buttoning the coat. And I forgot to bring a tie. I doubt my brother has a tie to lend..

He's leaving for Sturgis tomorrow right after the funeral.

honeycombe3 profile image
honeycombe3

kaypeeoh

PD doesn't cause memory pbroblems? I haven't come across this before. It seems to me to be on a par with saying that you don't get pain with PD. Even assuming that PD meds are the real culprit I believe that the memory will become the trending issue. We all remember different experiences in different ways. For instance I recall how I felt about whatever I trying to recall. I often can't recall the maIn character's names or the path of the plot but I have intense emotional reactions. Also different triggers can include/ inhibit certain emotions.

I love reading and writing. Words are my stock in trade so I tend to favour those written by wordsmiths: Carol Shields and Mervyn Peake are good examples. I love the smell and feel of books, I find them evocative of bygone experiences and emotions. My condition is now such that to handle them is tiring. I have tried Kindle but I can't relate to it like the real thing. My next venture will be audio books. Any other suggestions?

Rosenmu profile image
Rosenmu

I think there are issues PD causes that down the line can effect the memory and brain function in ways other than the dopamine issue. An example is sleep, not enough sleep which PD can effect, and your brain doesn't function as well. Although to my knowledge PD does not effect blood sugar levels and insulin resistance which are issues for the brain and memory, brain fog. I can see if you aren't feeling well from PD and you eat junk because you want that lift it brings, that can definitely effect the brain. Cause and effect, but not necessarily PD on it's own as it targets a specific area of the brain, dopamine central.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

coloring books

This may sound simplistic and silly, but I want to mention how much coloring in adult books with...
rhyspeace12 profile image

Gentle books for children

Take a look at "Does it hurt, Granny?" on www.dawnmay.com I was diagnosed in April 2012, in the...
sparkyparky profile image

PD has the audacity to rob us of body mind and soul

now the disease wants my vision too... My favourite activity (besides spending time with my...
ivyanne profile image

A memory for my mother

Five days ago, on Wednesday, April 26, my mother, Ana Maria Rivera Melgar, passed away. Those of...

ITCHING THAT IS RELENTLESS AND SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM UNDER THE SKIN

It's only been on my arms so far, but it is relentless and it isn't my skin, it seems to be...
Precious44 profile image

Moderation team

See all
CPT_Aleksandra profile image
CPT_AleksandraAdministrator
CPT_Anaya profile image
CPT_AnayaAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.