text: There is a technique called skim-reading that you can develop, where you literally scan the page, searching only for the relevant key details. \n\nThe technique for this is to remember that generally, each paragraph will only have one point to make within it, so once you feel you've extracted that point, move on. \n\nThis technique is partly intuitive, but really, you have to perceive the book in a differnt light, rather than something to be pored over, and relished, it is simply a tool to extract information from. \n\nDon't put pressure on yourself though, it takes time. Eventually, your eyes will learn to disregard the chaff (skimming over words such as 'and, 'is', 'they' 'we' etc, and focus only on the bits that give you the gist of the story / thesis.