Effective note-taking from books involves a three step process - Before, During, and After Reading. Before reading, one should get prepared by gathering materials and determining the purpose. During reading, techniques like highlighting, summarizing, mapping, and outlining using Cornell notes can help capture key ideas. After reading, one should review notes and materials to ensure understanding. The SQ3R method - Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review - provides a structured approach for active reading and note-taking.