I know that literally you can, but can you do both simultaniously and actually absorb both fully?

I've never been able to listen to music and read (whether its academic work or reading a book) at the same time, my mind just focuses on the music rather than fully paying attention to what I'm reading.

The only kind of music I can have on if I'm reading is minimal stuff in the vein of Stars Of The Lid. Anything with any kind of beat, riff or chord progrssion is right out.

I always feel like I'm losing out on the one that I'm not doing.