Momster

In our turbo-driven, multitasking world, it’s hard to keep track of anything.  And yet every now and then, when your mind is circling to remember someone’s name or locate the keys that you just put down, it’s hard not to imagine for a fleeting second that perhaps there’s more to your forgetfulness. And sometimes the best way to face an unknown fear is to dive headlong into it. So I’ve rounded up some books that tackle memory and the dreaded Alzheimer’s from all its many angles.

Measure of the Heart (Springboard Press; available only as an e-book), by Mary Ellen Geist
Geist recounts her return to help her mother care for her afflicted father.

Still Alice (Gallery), by Lisa Genova
A hard-to-forget novel that chillingly and compassionately allows the reader to experience memory loss up close as the main character, Alice, watches herself slip away.

I’m Still Here (Avery), by John Zeisel
The president of Hearthstone Alzheimer Care explains the role art can play in enriching a patient’s—and caretaker’s—life.

Alzheimer’s in America (Free Press)
Maria Shriver and the Alzheimer’s Association collaborated on this comprehensive study that addresses recent research, societal impact and the human cost through essays from patients and caretakers.

Love, Loss and Laughter: Seeing Alzheimer’s Differently (Lyons Press), by Cathy Greenblat
An illuminating photojournalist exploration of Alzheimer’s throughout the world.

Where Did I Leave My Glasses? (Wellness Central), by Martha Weinman Lear
Want to know why your memory works the way it does? Lear explains the facts of life when it comes to remembering.

Moonwalking with Einstein (Penguin), by Joshua Foer
To truly get inspired, follow Foer’s mnemonic quest to compete in the U.S. Memory Championship by training his brain to nearly achieve total recall.

What books about memory and Alzheimer’s have you found most helpful? Share in the comments below.

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