Method for strengthening one's imaan

Q: I am a teenager, but I don't read salaah or Qur'aan anymore, and my parents don't enforce it. Whilst living with my grandmother, it was enforced. I don't want to lose my faith. Reading salaah and Qur'aan are becoming difficult. My questions are:

1- how do I regain my faith and just become a better Muslim overall?

2- what books (excluding the Qur'aan) would you recommend for a Muslim to read regardless of the situation?

3- If a person were to begin learning arabic, how would you suggest they go about it?

Looking at animate pictures

Q: If I am reading a book and there is a human picture, will looking at it be sinful? If I am outside and see a picture on a billboard is it haraam to look at? If someone wants to show me a picture of a potential spouse is it haraam to look at? I do not want to incur sin, so please advise me.

Incident of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and an old lady

Q: Is this story true....One day Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was going somewhere at noon and it was too hot in the desert when He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) saw an old woman carrying her luggage on her head. Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) helped her and took the luggage from the woman and carried it for her. Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) asked the woman where she was going and why? She said that I am leaving this town as I have heard that a magician named Muhammad (nauzubillah)... etc...

1. Is it true because I have heard that it's not mentioned in authentic hadith? Also on youtube this story is a nasheed sung by someone...nasheeds name is likha ha ek zaifa thi...

2. Is listening to it permissible or am I sinning by listening to this?

Making the condition that one can break one's oath if one is unwell

Q: I made an oath to fast for a month but stipulated in the oath that if I felt unwell, I could break it. So, about a week in I had some discomfort in my chest, and felt that I should stop, so I did. (I did not break a fast). Does this mean there's no expiation? Because I gave myself some leeway in the oath I made.

Also, is it permitted to pay a charity to fulfill the kafaarat yameen on your behalf? If you make the expiation you are forgiven for breaking the oath by Allah azza wa jal?