I can actually remember reading the Chicago phone book enthusiastically as a child. I was fascinated by so many names and the way they changed in one or two letters, then in bigger ways. Also by the way some names went on for pages and others were just a few lines.
Wonderful way to stay out of trouble.
I can’t remember my phone number today without looking at my cellphone, but I’ll always remember the phone number of my youth.
Get Smart - Operator - Jim Croce
https://youtu.be/nu1y1VWjM54
I know my phone number, but nobody else’s. When I was a kid I knew so many friends numbers (and still do). I still remember mine as a kid too.