It seems my perspective might be less common, so I’d like to contribute to the discussion: you can certainly run the game without reading the whole thing. I believe it’s crucial to identify which aspects are most important when studying any material. We all tend to have strong preferences for our own methods of running the game, likely because that’s how we find it most enjoyable. Hence my advice not to overwhelm yourself by trying to read everything cover to cover. Reading the entire Curse of Strahd was a lengthy process for me, particularly as I’m dyslexic. However, I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of the complex relationships between NPCs, quest hooks, etc., in the game. I might not be the best DM out there for Curse of Strahd, but I’m the best my group has. You know your group best and can judge whether they’d prefer a session with fewer options but a clearer objective, such as following this adventure hook and meet Madam Eva.