About reading & interpreting a book more effectively:
When I am reading something I will have to report on or talk about later, I make notes after each section of reading on what my impressions were, what facts need to be remembered, etc. Sometimes when I do that I do not even have to look at the notes later.. especially if I was interested in the topic.
The very act of collecting my thoughts and writing them down seems to help.
THis may also be of help..
http://www.readinglady.com/mosaic/tools/Student%20Reading%20Comprehension%20Strategies%20explanation%20from%20Leslie.pdf