If you struggle with reading the sidelines just skip them
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The three books I have from this list are
FCO, Art of Attack in Chess, Logical Chess Move by Move
FCO - I purchased this is a similar phase to you in "let me just get some chess books to study" phase. When I received the book I came to the realization that I was not going to go through every opening in this. And thus didn't really get into it. But did appreciate the fact if I were to change my main opening for example swapping from e4 to d4, I do have an encyclopedia that I can refer to get the gist of any opening that suddenly interests me. The book exists on the shelf ready to be opened someday.
Art of Attack in Chess - This was one of my very early purchases, I think from a recommendation on a chesscom thread. I went through the first chapter of the book I think its titled Attack on the Uncastled King. For some reason I didn't find myself being engaged in the book that much. And really didn't read further than the first chapter. Perhaps maybe my focus / concentration was not on point the period I decided to get into this book. I do plan to have a look at it again with better focus and an open mind in future.
Logical Chess Move by Move - this book came highly recommended from my Dad who has always adored books by Chernev. As of today I have gone through 12 of the annotated games in that book, and I find myself going back over those games just to try and reinforce the ideas / notes in them. How I have tackled this book is I will have the pgn playing along on chessbase (sometimes with a physical board) and make my own notes / pose my own questions were I think I would have made a different move - and see how far off I am though the engine. I think its the simplicity or rather how easy it is the understand the games in relation to Chernev's annotation that make this book spectacular. This book with what I have read so far, I would recommend as well.
FCO, Art of Attack in Chess, Logical Chess Move by Move
FCO - I purchased this is a similar phase to you in "let me just get some chess books to study" phase. When I received the book I came to the realization that I was not going to go through every opening in this. And thus didn't really get into it. But did appreciate the fact if I were to change my main opening for example swapping from e4 to d4, I do have an encyclopedia that I can refer to get the gist of any opening that suddenly interests me. The book exists on the shelf ready to be opened someday.
Art of Attack in Chess - This was one of my very early purchases, I think from a recommendation on a chesscom thread. I went through the first chapter of the book I think its titled Attack on the Uncastled King. For some reason I didn't find myself being engaged in the book that much. And really didn't read further than the first chapter. Perhaps maybe my focus / concentration was not on point the period I decided to get into this book. I do plan to have a look at it again with better focus and an open mind in future.
Logical Chess Move by Move - this book came highly recommended from my Dad who has always adored books by Chernev. As of today I have gone through 12 of the annotated games in that book, and I find myself going back over those games just to try and reinforce the ideas / notes in them. How I have tackled this book is I will have the pgn playing along on chessbase (sometimes with a physical board) and make my own notes / pose my own questions were I think I would have made a different move - and see how far off I am though the engine. I think its the simplicity or rather how easy it is the understand the games in relation to Chernev's annotation that make this book spectacular. This book with what I have read so far, I would recommend as well.