As with learning most languages, it is crucial to form a basic arsenal of vocabulary words before reading (and speaking and writing) can begin. It is impossible to learn to recognize patterns without knowing what the words represent. As such, learning to read Latin begins by learning to recognize vocabulary. As most Latin texts that will be used in text books, work books and in courses will be original time-period pieces, the vocabulary needed will be slightly different than the vocabulary used in modern Romance language courses. Vocabulary words such as sailors, fields, oceans, cry, pray, gifts and peasants will replace the days of the week, colors and "hello my name is."
Latin verbs are similar to Romance Latin languages such as French or Portuguese in that they are conjugated according to tense and subject. The only way to learn to read Latin verbs properly is through memorization and repetition. It is best to study verb charts and familiarize yourself with the endings and then practice, practice, practice conjugation. In Latin, there is never any need for a written subject as in the English "I, you, it, he, she," etc. Instead the subject is determined by the verbs ending--or conjugation, and there are four principal parts (forms of conjugation) that verbs are divided into in Latin. Learn each fully before proceeding to the next. After basic conjugation is grasped, other crucial aspects of grammar can be addressed.
What separates Latin from modern languages learned is that it is a inflected language, meaning that in order to make grammatical sense, all nouns, pronouns and adjectives are declined (given appropriate endings). There are five sets of declensions (a, o, i, u, e) in which each is separated into four categories of tense, first-person singular, first-person plural, second-person singular and second-person plural. Each category of tense is then split into six cases: nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, ablative, vocative and locative. Therefore, there are 120 different endings for nouns, pronouns and adjectives. These can only be learned through memorization and application.
To say Latin is complex is an understatement. Yet complexity does not imply impossibility. There are hundreds of grammar rules, declensions, verb endings and vocabulary that must be learned through memorization. Charts are needed on-hand throughout the first two or three years of Latin study, as flawless memorization takes time. Learning to read Latin takes time. Practice by translating texts (charts close at hand) and forming your own sentences with vocabulary and verbs you pick up. Remember, there is no such thing as a simple Latin text to begin translating, therefore, choose something of interest ("Harry Potter" is indeed available in Latin) and dig in. Carpe diem!