The best way I've found to read math texts is to take it concept by concept. Line by line is too mechanical. Approach each concept and get a "gist" for what is

The best way I've found to read math texts is to take it concept by concept. Line by line is too mechanical. Approach each concept and get a "gist" for what is trying to be accomplished. Once you understand where they are starting from for a given concept, where they are going with it, and have a rough idea of how they'll get there, then you read the details. The details are essentially meaningless if you don't know the bigger picture.