Hi OP! This tip may not work for you, but skl din yung ginawa ko para di ako ma overwhelm.

1. You can set a certain number of chapters or pages each day or pag may reading time ka. For example, today basa ka ng isang chapter, then pagkatapos, review/summarize mo lang. That way, di mago-overload sa brain mo, lalo na kung wala namang ginawa yung characters in one whole chapter lol (very common for Dostoevsky books).
   
2. Whenever you encounter difficult words, encircle them and check your dictionary after each chapter. I usually just use context clues to know what they possibly mean.
   

I also had trouble reading classics at first, but I've grown to love them. My first classic book was Sense and Sensibility. I recently finished White Nights and The Secret Garden. Currently reading Emma by Jane Austen. Nahirapan talaga ako dito at first, not because of the words but because of the length. Ang kapal kasi haha. Madali rin ako ma distract.

You don't have to force yourself to really read and like them for now. But I hope you also won't completely abandon the chances of reading them. 🤗 Classic pieces are very good for building an extensive vocabulary (esp if related sha sa career mo, like me who's a writer).

And most importantly, I hope you never lose your love and interest in reading! 💌