The Perpetual Now: A Story of Amnesia, Memory, and Love

The Perpetual Now (Doubleday) tells the story of Lonni Sue Johnson, who previously designed New Yorker covers and now suffers from viral encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, which has given her amnesia. Michael Lemonick, a visiting faculty member and Scientific American editor, examines how Johnson’s case has shaped the understanding of neuroscience and memory in the scientific community, while also providing a dramatic narrative of her experience. Despite significant challenges, Lemonick emphasizes Johnson’s indefatigable optimism, which shines through in her interactions with others: “She’s having a blast, and she wants you to join her,” Lemonick writes.