I’ve tried the method of taking each paragraph and boiling them down in my words, but that method isn’t fun for me to do. I’ve also asked that question, and one of the suggestions I got is “watch videos on Marxism” - I fear that they might probably be too boring and too long for me to watch. In fact, I think Marxism may be boring for me to study. Are there any ways that would make it fun, exciting and engaging because that might be the one thing missing in Marxism.
Don’t listen to people who say it’s not possible to have fun learning about this stuff. It can be. I can be boring, too, depending on your interests. Sounds like you’re worried about wading through things like Capital, Communist Manifesto, etc. Totally warranted – they were written in a different time and for a different audience. That’s not to say that there isn’t good stuff to get out of primary sources, but it’s more difficult.
I recommend listening Karl Marx: A Nineteenth Century Life to get some context as to who he was, what movements he was a part of, the state of the world he grew up and lived in, and a breakdown of the things he believed, things he changed his mind on, etc. It gives you important context. You don’t need to slog through it or do a ton of mental work. Just listen and absorb it. If you don’t understand a section, replay it and try to do some mental work to “get it,” but if it doesn’t click, move on and keep listening. Over time, you will begin to understand.
I also recommend listening to Michael Parenti’s Blackshirts and Reds. Very accessible.