How to Retain More Information from Audiobooks

Use your location to make memories more sticky

Photo by Distingué CiDDiQi on Unsplash

I’ve listened to many audiobooks over the years. Some were great, some were mediocre. Some of them I remember more than others. But I think my ability to remember the content is strongly tied to where I was and what I was doing when I listened to them.

Listen While Moving

Let me try to explain myself. Most of my audiobook listening takes place while I’m wearing earbuds and moving. That’s usually while I’m on runs by myself. Maybe on a bike ride or car ride as well. Sure, there are times when I’m plowing through an audiobook while standing in the kitchen making dinner, but a majority of my listening comes while I’m moving.

Why does this matter? Well, it’s becoming clear to me that my most memorable audiobooks are closely tied to the landmarks or routes I was running when I was listening to them. Could it be that my brain was more ready and willing to absorb this knowledge because I was exercising? Are the visual cues of passing landmarks just another anchor point for memories to attach themselves to?

My Experiences

Let me give you a super-specific example. I explicitly remember listening to former NBA Coach Phil Jackson’s excellent audiobook…