Best Book To Increase Memory Power
Best book to increase memory power plus a simple Flashrecall routine that turns every chapter into spaced-repetition flashcards so the ideas actually stick.
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This is a free flashcard app to get started, with limits for light studying. Students who want to review more frequently with spaced repetition + active recall can upgrade anytime to unlock unlimited AI generation and reviews. FlashRecall supports Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Russian, Hindi, Thai, and Vietnamese—including the flashcards themselves.
How Flashrecall app helps you remember faster. Free plan for light studying (limits apply)FlashRecall supports Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Russian, Hindi, Thai, and Vietnamese—including the flashcards themselves.
So, What’s The Best Book To Increase Memory Power?
So, you’re looking for the best book to increase memory power and actually remember what you read? Honestly, the best combo isn’t just one book – it’s a good memory book plus a study system like Flashrecall that forces you to review and recall stuff until it sticks. Books teach you techniques, but Flashrecall (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085) makes sure those techniques and facts don’t fade after a week. It creates flashcards instantly from text, images, PDFs, and more, then uses spaced repetition and active recall so your memory actually improves long term. If you want real results, grab one of the books below and run everything through Flashrecall while you read.
How To Actually Use Memory Books So They Work
Here’s the thing:
Reading a book about memory does not automatically give you a better memory. You have to:
1. Learn a technique from the book
2. Turn it into questions or flashcards
3. Review it regularly with active recall and spaced repetition
That’s where Flashrecall comes in:
- You can snap a photo of a page, highlight a section, or paste text, and Flashrecall will auto-generate flashcards for you.
- It uses spaced repetition and sends study reminders, so you review right before you’re about to forget.
- It works offline, on iPhone and iPad, and is free to start.
- You can even chat with your flashcards if you’re unsure about something and want it explained differently.
So as you go through any of these books, don’t just highlight. Turn the key ideas into flashcards in Flashrecall and your memory power will actually go up, not just feel like it did.
1. “Moonwalking With Einstein” by Joshua Foer
If you want one book that makes memory feel fun instead of like homework, this is it.
- It’s half story, half memory training.
- Foer goes from “average memory” to US memory champion in a year.
- He explains techniques like:
- Memory palaces
- Visualization
- Chunking
- Every time Foer describes a technique, make a quick card:
- Front: “What is a memory palace?”
- Back: “A mental place you fill with vivid images to remember information in order.”
- Use Flashrecall’s spaced repetition so these concepts don’t disappear after you close the book.
- Try small experiments: memorize grocery lists, to-do lists, or random words, then add your results as notes in Flashrecall.
2. “Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning” by Brown, Roediger, McDaniel
This one is less “party tricks” and more science-backed learning. If you’re a student or professional, this is gold.
You’ll learn:
- Why re-reading is basically fake productivity
- Why testing yourself (active recall) is way more effective
- Why spaced repetition beats cramming
- How to mix subjects (interleaving) to learn deeper
This book is basically the theory behind what apps like Flashrecall actually do.
- Highlight key principles, then:
- Paste the text into Flashrecall
- Let it auto-generate flashcards from that section
- Example card:
- Front: “Why is re-reading bad for learning?”
- Back: “It feels fluent but doesn’t strengthen retrieval; it’s mostly recognition, not recall.”
- Then let Flashrecall’s automatic reminders push those ideas back to you over days and weeks.
Now you’re not just reading about good learning—you’re literally doing it.
3. “Moonwalking With Einstein” Style Books: Memory Palaces & Tricks
If you’re more into practical techniques than stories, you might like books focused directly on methods, like:
- “How to Develop a Super Power Memory” by Harry Lorayne
- “The Memory Book” by Harry Lorayne & Jerry Lucas
They cover:
- Peg systems
- Number–image systems
- Name–face memory tricks
- Memory palaces in more detail
- When you learn a system (like a peg list from 1–20), put the pegs into Flashrecall:
- Front: “Peg for 7?”
- Back: “Cow (for example)”
- Practice daily with Flashrecall until the pegs are instant.
- Then use those pegs to memorize:
- Lists for exams
- Steps in a process
- Presentations
Flashrecall’s offline mode makes it easy to practice anywhere—bus, train, waiting in line, whatever.
4. “Unlimited Memory” by Kevin Horsley
This one is short, direct, and very practical. Great if you don’t want a huge textbook.
You’ll learn:
- How to focus better
- How to visualize information
- How to build stronger associations
- How to remember numbers, names, and ideas
- As you read a technique, immediately test it on something from your life:
- A client list
- Vocabulary for a language
- Exam topics
- Turn those into flashcards in Flashrecall:
- Use image-based cards by snapping photos or uploading screenshots.
- Flashrecall’s active recall and spaced repetition will lock the techniques into long-term memory.
5. “The Art of Learning” by Josh Waitzkin
Not a classic “memory” book, but a learning and performance book that indirectly boosts memory.
Flashrecall automatically keeps track and reminds you of the cards you don't remember well so you remember faster. Like this :
It covers:
- How to learn deeply, not just quickly
- How to handle pressure and performance
- How to build skills step-by-step
Why it helps memory:
If you understand how you learn best, you can design better study systems, and your memory naturally improves.
- Turn his key principles into reflection-style flashcards:
- Front: “What does Waitzkin say about embracing failure?”
- Back: Your own summary.
- Flashrecall lets you edit and refine cards as your understanding grows.
- You can even chat with your flashcards in Flashrecall if you’re unsure and want to explore an idea more deeply.
6. “Deep Work” by Cal Newport
Again, not strictly a memory book, but a focus book—and focus is a huge part of memory.
You’ll learn:
- How to reduce distractions
- How to actually sit and think deeply
- Why shallow multitasking kills real learning
Better focus = better encoding = better memory.
- Set up a simple system:
- Read for 25–45 minutes
- Then spend 10 minutes turning key ideas into Flashrecall cards
- Let Flashrecall send study reminders so you review those ideas regularly.
- Over time, your brain starts to treat learning as something it revisits—not something it crams and forgets.
7. “Remember It!” by Nelson Dellis
Written by a 4-time USA Memory Champion, this one is super approachable and visual.
You’ll get:
- Step-by-step memory palace examples
- Fun illustrations
- Practical exercises
Perfect if you like things broken down clearly with real-world examples.
- When he gives an example (like memorizing a list), create:
- One deck for techniques
- One deck for practice lists
- Flashrecall is great for this because you can:
- Manually create cards for each technique
- Or just paste text and let it auto-generate them
- Then keep revisiting those techniques until they feel automatic.
But Which Is Actually The Best Book To Increase Memory Power?
If you want a single pick:
- For fun + inspiration: “Moonwalking With Einstein”
- For science + real learning: “Make It Stick”
- For practical tricks: “The Memory Book” or “Unlimited Memory”
But honestly, the real “best” solution is:
Because:
- Books explain what to do
- Flashrecall makes you actually do it, repeatedly, until it sticks
How Flashrecall Turns Any Memory Book Into Real Results
Here’s how you can use Flashrecall with any of these books:
1. Capture The Ideas Fast
- Take photos of key pages
- Paste quotes or summaries
- Drop in PDFs or notes if you have digital versions
- Use YouTube links (lectures, summaries) and turn them into cards
Flashrecall at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
The app will auto-create flashcards from that content so you don’t waste time formatting everything.
2. Turn Theory Into Questions
Memory only improves when you pull info out of your brain, not just push it in.
So structure cards like:
- “What is a memory palace and how does it work?”
- “Why does spaced repetition improve long-term memory?”
- “What’s the difference between recognition and recall?”
Flashrecall is built around active recall, so every review session is basically a mini workout for your brain.
3. Let Spaced Repetition Do Its Thing
You don’t have to remember when to review—Flashrecall does that:
- It shows you cards right before you’re about to forget
- It spaces out reviews automatically
- You just open the app when it reminds you and run through your cards
This is literally what books like “Make It Stick” recommend—but automated.
4. Use It For Anything, Not Just Memory Books
Once you’ve got the hang of it, use Flashrecall for:
- Languages (vocab, grammar)
- Exams (medicine, law, engineering, business)
- School / university subjects
- Work projects, presentations, frameworks
It’s fast, modern, and easy to use, and it works offline, so you can study anywhere.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Read About Memory, Train It
If you’re hunting for the best book to increase memory power, grab one of the titles above—especially “Make It Stick” or “Moonwalking With Einstein.”
But don’t stop at reading.
Pair your book with Flashrecall (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085), turn the best ideas into flashcards, and let spaced repetition + active recall do the heavy lifting.
That’s how you go from “I read a cool book on memory once” to “I actually remember stuff weeks and months later.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the fastest way to create flashcards?
Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.
Is there a free flashcard app?
Yes. Flashrecall is free and lets you create flashcards from images, text, prompts, audio, PDFs, and YouTube videos.
How do I start spaced repetition?
You can manually schedule your reviews, but most people use apps that automate this. Flashrecall uses built-in spaced repetition so you review cards at the perfect time.
What is active recall and how does it work?
Active recall is the process of actively retrieving information from memory rather than passively reviewing it. Flashrecall forces proper active recall by making you think before revealing answers, then uses spaced repetition to optimize your review schedule.
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Practice This With Web Flashcards
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Try Flashcards in Your BrowserInside the FlashRecall app you can also create your own decks from images, PDFs, YouTube, audio, and text, then use spaced repetition to save your progress and study like top students.
Research References
The information in this article is based on peer-reviewed research and established studies in cognitive psychology and learning science.
Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354-380
Meta-analysis showing spaced repetition significantly improves long-term retention compared to massed practice
Carpenter, S. K., Cepeda, N. J., Rohrer, D., Kang, S. H., & Pashler, H. (2012). Using spacing to enhance diverse forms of learning: Review of recent research and implications for instruction. Educational Psychology Review, 24(3), 369-378
Review showing spacing effects work across different types of learning materials and contexts
Kang, S. H. (2016). Spaced repetition promotes efficient and effective learning: Policy implications for instruction. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3(1), 12-19
Policy review advocating for spaced repetition in educational settings based on extensive research evidence
Karpicke, J. D., & Roediger, H. L. (2008). The critical importance of retrieval for learning. Science, 319(5865), 966-968
Research demonstrating that active recall (retrieval practice) is more effective than re-reading for long-term learning
Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1), 20-27
Review of research showing retrieval practice (active recall) as one of the most effective learning strategies
Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58
Comprehensive review ranking learning techniques, with practice testing and distributed practice rated as highly effective

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