This approach really depends on the brevity of the programming books you are reading. I can't see someone leafing through CLRS, then again, then once more short

This approach really depends on the brevity of the programming books you are reading. I can't see someone leafing through CLRS, then again, then once more shortly afterwards. Or other algorithm books like Algorithms in C, or e.g. SICP or How To Design Programs. I read programming books at a glacial pace, and sometimes I find it very tough going. So tough that I would not be in a hurry to repeat the process, so I take notes. Also I find the desire to read another different book much greater than the desire to retread the same material.