How about getting some of the books on audio book? Or finding somewhere quiet to read them aloud - that way it engages more of you and sort of forces your concentration, as it were. Underlining/highlighting and taking notes as you read is also good. Notes can be direct quotes, or what you think about something.
The essays. You could start by simply writing down everything that comes into your head about a topic. Like using a mind map, or stream of consciousness, or even starting by putting it into am image. Go with the way your mind works best.
I - and lots of others here - have studied English at uni. So if it's a book I've done, I might be able to lend a hand just giving you the general jist.
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