Prabhupada gave some general hints on how his books should be approached. Srila Prabhupada said they should not be read haphazardly. The purports can be likened to the compositions of Mozart, Beethoven, or Bach. To an uneducated ear, they appear to be all the same, but to a student of musicology, each composition has his own particular style. Each purport is similarly constructed in its own way and can be appreciated and learned. Although we may tend to think that the purports are repetitious, we have to learn to appreciate them by regularly hearing them and learning to savor their uniqueness.
The books should not be read separate from practical engagement in Krsna consciousness. Srila Prabhupada said: "Philosophy must be there. But if you do not also apply the philosophy by participating in all temple affairs ... then simply learning the philosophy will have no effect." (Letter, 72-7-4) We should also study his books more than just in the morning Bhagavatam class. Ideally, devotees should attend the evening program and also do some individual reading on their own.
Some devotees find it helpful to take notes while reading; others find this distracting. Some like to cross-reference as they study. It is also nice to read and write down everything you remember from the reading at the very end. Some read more in the mood of prayer. There are no hard and fast rules. Simply read Prabhupada's books.
Biographies and Glorifications of Srila Prabhupada Gita-nagari Press- Appreciating the Bhaktivedanta Purports and Summary Studies-Satsvarupa dasa Goswami
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