yters you said "Finally, it really helps to think about what the author is saying, especially if I try to anticipate what's next."

I think that is the stuff of misunderstandings in a serious discussion. If someone is trying to say something new to you, then anticipating and trying to skip words based on knowing what he's saying won't work so well.

That's not what I mean. I don't anticipate so I can skip. Contrasting what I expected with what the author actually says helps me understand and retain what I am reading better.