BeerBorg

I downloaded John Palmer's book and plan to take it very slow. It's said to be somewhat technical but in a way most brewers should be able to understand.
Since I'm just a dumb southern boy, it takes longer.
I'm not thinking I'll be changing much of how I brew with water but it's the last bit of my plans to understand more about each of the major ingredients that will allow me to be a better brewer. Since I'll never go pro, there's no need to OCD on yet another thing.

Anyone who read the book, please feel free to comment on what you feel you've gotten from it.

I haven't read it but I think your plan to go slow is a good one. I say immerse yourself in it and soak up all you can. Who knows it might just wet your whistle to dive into pro brewing. Drink it in and enjoy it! (Puns intended!)

I've had the Water Book for a while now. For lack of a better term, yes it is very technical. But it is also very informative. You will not want to sit down with it and read it cover to cover. It's a book to reference, take a couple chapters at a time. The book is very well broken up into areas of information. I'm not a big reader, (I don't do it for pleasure or leisure). I read my brewing books for info and help pass some time at work.

I will say I thought there would be more material I could use and relate to. But as they state in the book itself, Water is a topic which we are just scratching the surface on. There aren't a lot of direct answers. What I do like is some inside info from Palmer and his co-author who is a professional brewer. There are also a lot of tidbits of info and suggestion from other brewers and breweries.

It's full of great information and you will get a good idea on things with your brewing water, how to change it, how to make it benefit the beer you are brewing...etc. It could in fact help you brew better beer. As stated in the OP, don't get OCD about it. Water is a very, very broad and forgiving ingredient in your process. But understand it better will no doubt make you a better brewer and help you brew better beer. Take it one step at a time.