Joel,
Seriously, I don’t know how far into lessons you are but, try to look at one of your books and see which characters you can pick out. I bet you will be surprised. I find that the ballpoint illustration books are quite fun, even if I can’t read them. If you look in Kinokuniya’s “Best of 2015,” there is one there. These books are designed for the Hobonichi and other Techo crazes. If you are “into” Sketch Notes, these books work great. You have to let me know if you opened up any of those books you already purchased. I would love to hear if this works for you, as well.
Nina