How do I study from books effectively?

I have been doing tactical puzzles and trying to learn openings, but I'm stalling out and still missing blunders my opponents make that require more than one move. 

I picked up fundamental chess openings and silmans endgames manual at the suggestion of some other folks, but I find that I have no idea of how to actually learn from a book. 

I follow along with my board step by step but I don't understand how to retain. 

Also, what do you suggest for better understanding of the middlegame? I feel like I never understand my positions.

@Atachess68 huh, I hadn't thought of using a pgn engine. Know any that are good on Android?

i suggest to begin with Pandolfini's Ultimate Guide to Chess....

I comment more on the book here...

Good Chess Books for Beginners and Beyond...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/good-chess-books-for-beginners-and-beyond

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell

@lunarwindflower both the books which you mentioned were highly advanced for your level (rapid 700+ and blitz 400+).

just know tactics like pin, skewer, fork , double attack and how to defend pieces. know basic checkmates . thats enough for you .

if you want more you can follow @russbell suggestions like Pandolfini's Ultimate Guide to Chess

I also like to study from books, with an actual chess board. I’ve found that I click better with some books. Some authors go WAY too far into possible side variations for an amateur like me, and it’s just not helpful. And then there are authors who I just don’t enjoy. Silman is like that for me. Lots of people love his books, but something about his style doesn’t work for me.

Two books that I love are:

”Logical Chess: Move by Move”, Irving Chernev

“Simple Chess”, Michael Stean 

I like these, and think both are easily digestible and fun. Also quite affordable online. If you’re fighting your books, maybe try some different authors. Lots of good books out there.

Study or solve according to your level. In the tactical aspect of your level, it will be efficient if you start with 200 puzzles mate in 1, then 200 mate in 2, and 200 mates in 3. Then proceed to the back rank, double attack, discovered attack, pins, forks, skewers etc. Something like that. Develop patterning recognition.

I do not use my phone, but would be inclined to believe that is on your phone via this site. This site along with others as lichess uses Stockfish. On my laptop I am seeing learn > then analysis > which leaves you with options to set up a position, enter a fen, or pgn. Focus on learning one thing so you really understand it. Then move on to the next, but as you are studying that, keep going back and review everything you have learned prior to wherever you are currently.

Just reading a chess book makes no sense.

It would be like just reading a math book. No use.

The books have to be studied.

With the opening books, what I would do is, after a game where I made a mistake, I would go to that opening, see where I went wrong, study it a little, and try to do better next time.

I would not try to study fundamental chess openings cover to cover because that makes no sense to me.

Pandolfini’s book is a different deal. That one you should study cover to cover and maybe go through some things a couple times.

If you have time, I would recommend "A first book of Morphy".

Some time ago I asked right here if it was worh buying, I was told yes, and in fact it is very useful to me. Thanks to it I'm starting to have a little clearer ideas. There are a lot of Morphy's games, all annotated ; all you need is the book and a chessboard, time and patience. ( and then, it is very rewarding to play the games of the great masters; and Morphy's way of playing is understandable for us beginners ).

If you find the book too advanced ( but I don't think so ) I still recommend you study it in some time, because it is really useful.

You have just started. No Wonder you make blunders. Just continue with your studies and training games. No blitz. 15 min plus 10. And go through your games. Over and over again. It takes a long time to be good at it.

Slowly on a physical board. Think and ask Why and think again.