/lit/ - Literature

I have no idea what the fuck capitalism means, communism, republicans, democracy, liberals, left, right, economy, marxism, I have not a single clue what the fuck any of these things mean, I have read many books, seen many movies, but I never figured out wtf these shits mean, not a single bit. Any reading recommendations to get me started on understanding all of this? What the fuck is an economy? Heard that word since I was born and never got around to understanding it.

When I read I tend to find the act itself immensely enjoyable. A well written sentence or a nice aphorism makes me tangible feel a sense of satisfaction in my brain. In other words, reading books FEELS great, on a tangible, visceral level.
Has there been any research into why this is? I don't just mean that the act of reading is satsifying, but deeply rewrding. Reading a great novel feels like I've just been growing vegetables in my own backyard. It's very strange.

How do I learn to derive meaning for myself?

I often find that the purpose of a lot of books dont click for me until I have other people spell out what they believe, then I can start to put together pieces and figure out what I believe
Up until then I find most books to just be random collections of thoughts and words and finding a greater meaning in all of it isn't something I can figure out

Is this a skill I can work on or am I a retard?

>>16748499

>read for two hours
>forget everything that I read by tomorrow

I've been doing really well honing my body and getting /fit/ but I still feel like a smoothbrain reading philosophy
I feel like a lot of it goes in one ear and out the other and I cant often remember specifics of what an author believes or was trying to get across
How do I get better at information retention? Whats the point in being able to run 10 miles if I'm dumb as fuck

How do I get better at following along and absorbing the information in philosophy books?
I have no issue following fiction but nonfiction trips me up and I have to reread sections and I go so slow

Am I just a smoothbrain or is this something I can get better at over time?