Status Updates From Russian for Beginners

I immediately started drowning when it got into declensions. Then I saw each case is spread through the lessons in a manageable way.
There is great description in pronunciation, but a stern requirement to hear a native speaker in order to be understood vocally.
It has been stern about pacing too; 'you may proceed with practice after you have mastered the explanation of how they are used, not before.'

Я учусь говорить по-русски.
I would like to read Russian authors in their native tongue for the full effect. I think this is this year's late resolution.

Part II as we speak. These are the last ten lessons 30-40
And its the part that gets you to Tolstoy! I am excited. Also have Linguaphone records for russian.

I'm essentially done with this book as the rest is appendixes and advice and..whatever. But I'll never really be done?

How slow can you go? I think I'm going to skip the handwriting section unless someone talks me out of it.