Here are a few suggetions that might help with retention:
1- read less material
2- set a pre-determined amount of info that needs to be retained and understood before advancing to the next reading
3- use mental concept maps, these are tools for visualizing the connections between concepts
4- do not sacrifice quality for quantity (refer to no. 1)
You need to decide what is the main purpose in reading the material. If it is understanding and retaining you need to slow down and take steps to ensure that happens. Don't get caught up in the habit of reading a bunch of books for the sake of reading a bunch of books.
thanks
Coach Hale
www.maxcondition.com