Something to read and assimilate (6)
I believe the answer is:
digest
'assimilate' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for digest that I've seen before include "Take in - collected rules of laws" , "Break down in the stomach" , "Shorten" , "publication" , "Gradually come to understand" .)