Last to last year, I picked up reading seriously and read a few books, but last year, I started my first job, so that habit broke.
I am again trying to get into the habit of reading. However, I am not able to recall anything that I have read in those books last to last year.
A little context: most of the books I read were self-help books and fiction, and at the time of reading them, I was really into them and understood most of what the writer was conveying, Or at least I thought I did, but 1-1.5 years later, I can’t remember any of that.
I agree with everyone that it’s normal. The only ones I retain after a year are the ones that I absolutely loved, and even then I’ll forget details.
I’m in a book club and I write notes for our discussions, and I retain those books longer than others.
I get distracted easily, so to keep myself fully engaged I like to read as if I were reading out loud to a child. I will give each character a different voice in my head, it makes it easier to follow. It’s also made it easier to recall a few books that I maybe wouldn’t have, by remembering a character’s voice first and then eventually more details.