Paper Trading is not trading.
The only way to learn how to trade is to trade.
You do not learn how to hit a baseball by reading a book.
You learn by swinging the bat.
It is called PRACTICE!
I would stay away from traditional trading books. They will only fill your mind with concepts that are not based in reality. Instead, read books that will improve your thinking and your habits. Trading is simple. If a book makes trading sound complicated, throw it away.
There is truth there. One never knows if a trade will give an opportunity to be a winner or not.
How do you define "cherry picking"? When you think about it, your reason for entry is a "cherry pick".