[glassprongs]

If I plan to use the knowledge then I either apply it immediately or take notes so I can apply it when ready.

If I don't plan to use the knowledge then I take away an over simplification of the topic and any thought provoking key points.

[dondraper36]

This is exactly what I have noticed as well. For example, when reading Designing Data-Intensive Applications for the first time I had absolutely no exposure to distributed systems and concepts like partitioning or replication. Even though it wasn't that difficult to understand the chapters, I couldn't truly appreciate the information.

Now, however, with more experience and the necessity to deal with these issues at work, I keep revisiting DDIA on a regular basis and this is when the book truly shines for me.

It just bothers me at times that even though I read quite a lot, the amount of information I can confidently restore even within a few days is not even close to 50%.

Taking notes is definitely something I should try, in addition to organizing a handy set of bookmarks in Raindrop whenever I encounter something useful.