There are multiple ways to read the book. You can go deep, geek out on the references and annotations. Or you can read more casually and recreationally, and jus

There are multiple ways to read the book. You can go deep, geek out on the references and annotations. Or you can read more casually and recreationally, and just let the words flow over you, treat it almost like music. Know there is underlying meaning but don't attempt to dig it out, enjoy the surface impression. Both are valid, an academic does more of the former, a serious student probably does a bit of both. Most general readers do the latter.