I can do this for entire chapters before I realize I have no idea what I've just read. It's usually stress/environmental. College was the worst. I'd get so easily distracted when I really needed to focus. I had to basically isolate myself in order to study. I'd like to say it gets better, but this still happens to me, even with books I enjoy. I have pretty much switched entirely to audio books and that makes a huge difference. I refinished my kitchen cabinets this spring and got through 6 parenting books in two weeks. I was finishing a book every day or two. I admire your push to read actual paper, but if you're finding it difficult to absorb the material and you truly want to, you might switch to audio books. My mind doesn't seem to wander as bad with audio books and it lets me do other stuff at the same time. That said, don't do something that requires focus. I am a photographer and have had it suggested to me to edit photos whole listening to audio books. No can do. I focus too hard on work and will do the same thing as before where I go a whole chapter before realizing I wasn't paying attention. But all the little crap you do in day to day life that doesn't require attentiveness is a great time to listen. Happy reading, friend.