How to Learn From A Chess Book?

I feel like I am just playing through the variations and missing the main idea behind it. What are some guidelines I should follow to really learn from a chess book? 

Which book are you reading?

 Just read the words and forget about playing through the games.

You must read it

@Estragon

I do read the text in the book, but I guess my next question is how do I apply what I learned to my games? 

Anyway you wish my friend.

You need to practice an active learning.  Stop at diagrams and scan ahead where you see what color wins or obtains an edge and play from that side, if white to play, black wins then make white's move then stop and see for yourself.

I'm going to use my common sense and assume you learn from a chess book the same way as you learn from a textbook.