I too once struggled to get past 1100.I used to touch 1100 rating at chess.com 10 min blitz but immediately came down by 20-25 point after losing some game.If you want to be a hard worker,the best way to climb up the ladder is to kick out some higher rated player from their ladder,that is to beat them by playing some hard fought match.But It is not so easy to beat as we talk in an easy way.they too play tough to defeat you.so what you actually need to do is to outsmart them in the tactics.since they are too week in tactics so you have fair amount of chance they will fall on your Web. I never read any chess book when I was at 1100.THE ONLY THING I DID WAS TO PRACTICE SOME CHESS PUZZLE ON MY ANDROID MOBILE.ANDRIOD GOOGLE PLAY STORE HAS MANY CHESS PUZZLE APP LIKE
1. iCHESS
2. chess tactics pro
3. analyse this
IN analyse this THERE IS EVEN ENGINE LIKE STOCKFISH AND CRITTER with commentary.so you would able to analyse your loss game on this app.in other two app you can practice your tactics.in this way you can certainly cross 1100 rating.
I presently have completed simple chess by stean and working on some other book.
Get the gold star above the Deku tree.