How to Learn Japanese Effectively with Textbooks and Blogs

The essential Japanese textbooks
There are 2 process that goes hand-in-hand when learning language. The not-so-fun way and the fun way. Usually it is the not-so-fun way first. That is the textbooks.

Why do we use Japanese textbooks first?
When we want to learn any language, we start with the basics. What are the basics? The usual components that makes up a sentence.

In English, we learn "I am, you are, he is, they are, etc".
In Japanese, we learn "ha (wa), ga, wo, ni, no, etc".
It is a general rule which is fixed. No rule is interesting. Despite being not interesting, it is an impartial part of the learning process where we must master.
Furthermore, textbooks are usually too wordy. You get tired even before you started reading.

When does it get interesting?
Once we are good with the basics, the rest is pretty much a matter of creativity. Language itself is an art. The same thing can be expressed in so many different ways with so many words and different grammars.
Where can we find the widest variety of different ways to express the same thing? Blogs!!
For example, just type さくら sakura cherry blossom + blog in Google and you will find thousands of blogs telling their experience from their perspective in their very own words.
Read through blogs that usually come with pictures. See how they use words to describe their emotions.
Furthermore, blogs usually use simple everyday words and grammars to convey their message. This makes blog very practical.
On top of that, the pictures, the story telling and the jokes simply makes reading a pleasure rather than pressure. No exams or quiz after that.

Combining Textbooks and Blogs
Study with textbooks and learn with blogs. Textbooks might be boring, but it is important that you learn the basics. But don`t let the boredom wear you down. Once you are good with the basics, jump to blogs and explore. Learn from from blogs with fun. See How to Learn Japanese Using Blogs. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun learning.