Hi, in order to remember your English words after reading them you can follow 2 methods. First is the repetition-based method, where you learn English words by writing them several times or saying them repeatedly until you remember them all. If you patiently follow the process, you will see your vocabulary extended very well. Secondly, you also need have to have a notebook with your own note-taking rules. Each time you log onto Italki, note down any new words in the Questions and Answers section. The only problem is whether you want a rich vocabulary or not. Any good plan should answer the four following questions. Firstly, how many words will you learn a week: five, ten, fifteen or more? Secondly, when will you learn them? At a fixed time every other morning or anytime you feel like learning?This is what I personally recommend. Thirdly, how often will you review what you have learnt: once a week, once a month or before a test ? Finally, what areas of English will you focus on: sports, music, games or sciences? The answers may vary a great deal from one person to another depending on memory, schedules and interest. Otherwise, your study results won't be as you expected. You can gain a big vocabulary and improve your English by simply by determining what field of words to learn, making a plan of learning, choosing a learning method and regularly practising your plan and method. Although it is up to you, daily vocab learning is better than weekly and weekly is better than monthly.Good luck.

Further to Anya's answer, if I really need to remember details when I'm reading, I have to write notes. The action of writing down details seems to make remembering much easier.

Same thing. I've made a conclusion that it's not enough just to read, one has to practice - doing all kinds of tests, etc, to memorize the dates, the information. Otherwise, all that you have is just "Hmm.. There was smth about the Founding Fathers.. And the War of Independence.. General Lee, General Washington.. the Mayflower. Oh, you want to know what exactly happened? Well, I'm not very good in details":))