Is it true that if you read a book a few minutes before you sleep, you remember everything the next day?

Question

My English teacher was telling us about this. Usually if you read a book 10-20 minutes before falling asleep, you can remember exactly what happened. Even if it's just a couple of pages. But is this really true?

Answer 1

Sort of.

If you are asking if cramming for a test works, then reading right before sleep will work IF you go straight to sleep after reading, and IF you don't allow anything else to enter your long-term memory after you wake up. But if you allow anything else of substance into your head, anything at all, it won't work.

If you are asking whether you can read a novel, poem, or article right before bed and remember it well enough to report on it the next day, that depends. You have to read in an attentive manner so that it enters your long-term memory, so the most important issue is whether you care about what you're reading. If it enters your long-term memory, the restorative properties of sleep can help seal it in your brain.

This isn't a cure-all to help you choke down a boring book. When you read it matters less than whether you care about it. But if you need that extra edge, then sure, sleeping on it can be pretty helpful.

Answer 2

I've never heard that before. I guess its true because I do a lot of late-night reading and I remember everything. Then again, I remember everything even when I read during the day.

Answer 3

I don't know if there is any science behind it, but I read almost every night just before I sleep, and I don't have any trouble remembering what I've read. It's only a problem if I am really, really tired or really, really don't care about what I am reading.

Answer 4

I read every night before I go to bed, and I always remember what I read, and sometimes, I actually dream it. You should try it and experiment on it yourself.

Answer 5

Actually yeah. i think back and yeah i do remember everything. That is so weird. Huh....

Answer 6

I would say no. At least in mine experience.