Nobody ever takes out a library book, reads it, and then makes themselves a vocabulary list, creates a Venn diagram, takes a quiz, or constructs a diorama. Our first impulse as a reader is to figure out what it's about, then consider how it connects to our experiences, and finally come to a conclusion about how it relates to our values, beliefs, and sense of self. 

In school, we also need to make sure that we are reading texts that challenge us as readers. So, many times, that does require projects, graphic organizers, vocabulary activities, discussions, and checks for understanding...classroom types of things. The important thing is that this analysis grows out of our natural responses as readers and learners.