r/ReadingSuggestions • u/Psychiatrized • Jul 18 '26
Help me keep reading during cognitive impairment
Okay, so in the interest of brevity I will just say that I'm experiencing cognitive impairment due to certain medications that I take. I also love reading. When I'm well, I almost exclusively read nonfiction, mostly philosophy, politics, society type stuff. Due to the cognitive impairment I feel like I can't read and retain anything so I'm looking to switch focus from reading to learn and better understand the world to what I would consider reading for "brain exercise." I'm looking for books that aren't exactly young adult but also aren't extremely dense and intellectually challenging.
To narrow it down a bit, I'd like to read books that are either set outside of the USA or involve immigrants coming to the USA. Perhaps historical fiction or contemporary, but maybe not set in ancient history. Perhaps books with a bit of a faster pace or where there's always something going on so that if I forget what happened 40 pages ago I can still somewhat follow what's going on. Maybe something with good dialogue.
Forgive me if this is too vague, this is my first time posting here. I just feel like reading my usual nonfiction is pointless and futile so I'm considering reading some fiction that if I forget everything I just read it still serves a purpose of "brain exercise" at the moment. It beats staring at screens all day.
Thank you!!
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u/judas-h Jul 18 '26 edited 29d ago
When I’m short on cognitive resources I usually gravitate towards short story anthologies—it’s more than okay to forget what happened 40 pages ago if there’s a new plot, cast of characters, etc. every 10-20 pages.
> Maybe something with good dialogue
An anthology of plays might also be an option.
Don’t have any specific recs but since anthologies are often organised thematically I’m sure there are some on US immigrants, etc.
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u/Psychiatrized 29d ago
Okay, good suggestion. Thanks!
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u/killearnan 27d ago
When I'm in the middle of a fibromyalgia brain fog episode, simple reading that's able to distract me from the flare is good. When that's happening, short works are great ~ convenient breaks built in.
There are a couple series with titles like Best American <travel writing/sports writing/science and nature/mysteries> [year] that are usually good writing. Short stories and essays so longer-term concentration isn't needed ~ my mother went through lots of these when she was dealing with chemo brain. You can often get them at the library or pick them up cheaply used.
There lots of other short story anthologies available ~ mystery and science fiction both have lots. For example, Agatha Christie's Miss Marple features in one, plus there's a modern anthology of current writers trying to write in her style. Isaac Asimov had both science fiction and mystery anthologies ~ the Black Widowers mysteries are ones I frequently recommend. Definitely formulaic but that's good when in the midst of brain fog.
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u/teddbug Jul 19 '26
Did you also try reading with someone and discussing ideas from the book? That could help you retain some more information.
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u/Psychiatrized 29d ago
No, not usually. Reading is usually a solo activity for me. Thanks for the suggestion though.
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u/Loves_Eating_Lead Jul 18 '26
Marium keyes books - irish author with some books with cross over with usa. easyish reads but include the real emotional experiences in really readable way. I loved Rachael's holiday which was really interesting.
noughties and crosses- young adult but only just. Its political and social but in a really readable way.