I learn better when I am working on a project that "pulls
me through the text" and don't retain much just reading.
However I might suggest books like "The Art of Electonics"
which can be found in electronic form. Likewise some of
the old Radio Shack "Experimenter's ..." series if you
want pre-planned projects.
There's too much going on, to not focus.
You can design without simulation. Refine, not so much
(other than cut-and-try, which is what I use simulation for).
When you get past maybe a dozen active components
you'll be way ahead simulating, compared to soldering,
provided you can get all the models, know your care-abouts
and all that. Don't need to know nuthin', to make a solder
blob.