As a relative newbie, I took $200 to Full Tilt (100% sign-up Bonus) and rated as not an "A List" site and viewed it as an investment in learning at very low Limit games. It took me almost 3 months of -EP play until I got down to under $75, flattened out and started winning slowly. I then promptly lost it all learning to play on-line tournaments. Now, I cash fairly frequently in low level Sit n Gos and have moved up several Limit levels. These 2 areas are now "funding" my NL lessons at very low levels, and yes, I have been reading several of your listed books for perspective.

My long winded point, invest a small but set amount of $$ to learn and most importantly, gain confidence. No one can play your hand but you!