When it comes to reading a spread, understand this is something that will take practice. Every reading will present something different and at first it is going to be more challenging to understand the cards. Over time though, it will get easier as you build an understanding of what the cards mean and represent. This can be a lengthy process, but in the interim, there are a number of resources and references that one can use to get a meaning from the cards.
Reading the card itself is a mix between knowledge and intuition. While you are just beginning, be sure to use the guide included with your cards to get an idea of what they might be saying on the matter. Just remember to focus on your question throughout the entire process, from when you start shuffling until you have figured out the meaning of the cards.
Most tarot sites and books will commonly list off adjectives and vague situations that relate to the card. This is because of the many meanings behind any given card, both in its proper position and reversed. Checking multiple sites and sources will show similarities, but very few will have a large number of matches, unless they too all drew from the same source. Those can provide vital clues as to what the meaning of the reading is. Still, remember that this is more something you want to use in the beginning.
After some time simply doing readings, likely you will find that reading the cards has gotten easier. More than anything, you will find meanings inside the cards that others might not have. At this point, try not to use any sources. Intuition is a large part of reading the tarot cards at a more advanced level. You may find a particular dialogue has been formed between you and your deck about this time. This is a good thing as you have come to understand your cards (and some would say the cards have come to understand you).
Reserved cards can be very hard to interpret because they do not always mean the opposite of their proper orientation. Will these always be bad? No, sometimes it can offer more helpful insight than some of the proper orientation. While the opposite is something of a possibility that alone is not the only possibility. Some times, it refers to the elements presented in the card being blocked. The final option is to look into the picture of the card and meditate on the meaning found in there.
When it comes to understanding the cards for yourself, it is truly a path that only you will see. Read a good variety of different meanings, find just where your own start. Practice with your cards and begin to write your own over time, or whatever will help you remember just what the different cards will mean to you.