how do you read?

i find that when i read i often lose myself and think of other things. or as im reading i dont retain anything. what are some tips so i can concentrate on what im reading and remember whats going on! especially character names and relationships i always need to reference

>>1
I get best ideas while reading. Somehow. I noticed it a few years ago. I guess many people do.

As for concentrating on what you're reading, there's only one tip: read good books. Read Stephen King's "The Shining".

>>2
Stephen King's book aren't good.

1. Read good books. If the book you're reading isn't interesting enough for you to pay attention, quit reading it.

2. Make notes. Seriously. Grab a pen and paper and write the names, relationships & occupations down.

I have to make notes to keep up with characters whenever a book has more than 5 or 6 characters (which is most books).

Ruth Ozeki writes some awesome books

You just need to practice you focus. Pay attention to whether you've been paying attention, and when you realize you aren't, go back to where you lost it and re-read. Sometimes I start thinking about something else and zone out as I read, but I just go back and read it for real.

Don't skim, read the words and descriptions all the way. You might find yourself zoning out if you read at night or you're tired.

I visualize everything, making sure the impressions are intense and lasting, and contextualize relationships and dialogs. So it's not much different from throwing myself into whichever world is being described.

I don't remember and visualize everything, but I remember names, general descriptions, and I try to remember certain details and how conversations and actions are performed.

I usually don't visualize in a complete movie like manner while I'm reading,  I usually visualize after I'm done reading, like a playback of all the information I gathered.  Or I'll think about it before I go to bed.

This is usually why I personally take breaks after a chapter or two depending on how big they are.  Or if a great point in the book is happening, I'll reread it over while imagining it.

read in the morning
read in the total isolation
apply the book to real life
philosophize about the book
read a spark note summary to make sure you following the book correctly

i'm assuming you aren't reading out of interest and as a hobby.

most important rule - don't read when you're tired if you want to remember what you read clearly.

>>10

that's retarded

I agree, if you want to remember what you read, you need plenty of sleep, and a great insite into how to apply what you read into what you do to understand what that aspect applies to and how it works and how it can be be turned into your advantage whatever your direction. : )

>>13
That's retarded. Maybe if you're reading self-help books.

>>14
Yeah. I read to *get away* from real life.