IWTL how to read books without losing focus or forgetting what I just read

IWTL how to actually read books.

I don’t mean learning how to read words. I mean being able to sit down with a book, stay focused, understand what I’m reading, and remember it afterward.

Right now I get distracted after a few seconds, or I read a full page and then realize I have no idea what I just read. Sometimes I keep rereading the same paragraph over and over, but it still doesn’t really stick.

I’d like to build the skill of reading for longer periods, improving my concentration, and actually absorbing what I read.

For people who used to struggle with this:
- How did you train your attention span?
- Are there specific exercises or routines that helped you?
- How do you know when to keep reading vs. slow down and reread?

I’m looking for practical advice or a beginner-friendly system to get better at reading books.