How to you read and take notes? I'm asking if there are any particular methods or tips that you use while reading for research/understanding?
I'm currently reading Walter Laqueur's A History Of Zionism, and I'm writing short 1-2 sentence summaries of major sections, and including some quotes, and writing down questions that I have. In the end it will look like an outline of the book.
Do you do anything similar?
It all depends on the end goal, what is yours? Are you researching or learning, are you a student or a hobbyist?
I generally skim most of the (secondary) books I read while researching, but I know where to look for information and key arguments. I can jot down page reference, work their approach into a historiographical overview, just mentally note it, or ignore it if it's of no use to me or entirely derivative.
When I have a deadline looming my books sprout multi-coloured sticky-notes as my key themes emerge and are ready to be cross-referenced in detail. This might be 20+ books and 20+ articles for 3000-5000 word paper.
When I don't have a project due I read without any special focus looking for a line of research or thought to pursue which might feed back into the main objective. I don't generally take notes during these periods but I will scribble references to works I've come across during my planning periods.