I’ve been using a method of double-reading books to help me to understand what the author’s main point is and the direction he’s heading. It also helps me get through a book very quickly to determine if it’s worth investing a week or two in order to read it.
The double reading method I’ve been using works like this: Read a book once, but very quickly to get through it in an hour or so of reading time. Then read the book a second time, but deeply.
With this second read-through, you have a better idea of the over-arching point so you will pick up on the foundation the author is laying early in the book. It really helps you to conceptualize and extract value from the book.