I am currently reading the by far most difficult book I've ever tried to read. (Windows Internals) Usually I would just read a book without any problems and pretty quickly, but now I feel a bit overwhelmed, so I thought it would be helpful to gain advices from people who probably went through the same thing. So... I'd like to have your opinions of how to read a difficult book based on your own experiences.
Thanks.
After reading each section, take a break and reflect on the section to maek sure that you understand it.
Get the tools (windbg etc) and follow the experiments in the book. This book is not just for reading, it is meant to have its examples tried.
Here's a classic.
Scribble on the book as you read it. Take notes. Rewrite the bits that confuse you and compare what you've written with what the original says. Discuss it with others; read it together with others. Where there are code examples, apply them. Apply the book's techniques to your own projects.
Read a small portion and try to apply it. Write a simple program that uses some aspect of what you've just learned. Lather, rinse, repeat.