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.