Im not close to an instructor , just thought id add that I recieved all kinds of skydiving books as well as the SIM and read them all prior to AFF 1 ... I didnt understand much but then when id hear Mike talk about something, the info I read would start to pop into my head. Granted I was also the type to read school history text books the first week of school so maybe its a personal thing with me but I say learn as much as you can from resources that are valid.
I have found the best way to read any kind of reference material is to locate the answers to questions (i.e. - practice tests, scenarios, your own, etc.).
I personally find that skimming the text for answers to questions leads to a lot of ancillary absorption of information.
You'll find that the recommended reading for license progression will take you front to back in no time and you'll be as smart as %almighty_dz_dot_commer%!(your choice of ADDC of course)
But, as some have mentioned, you may want to hold off until after your FJC.... . .
