We are talking out of a dedicated egyptological interest here I believe :). For a more general interest, alphabetical lists are probably the easiest way of approach, with the warning that there is more to it than meets the eye.

It´s a matter of, yes, paintakingly and slowly getting to understand something of the ancient culture along with it. Culture and language goes together and connotations of words run a great risk to disappear in translations - even between living languages. There are so many shades of interpreting a pictogram, you will automatically try to fit it in with something you know already from your own world and surroundings, from your own knowledge, which then might be rather off *chuckle*. That´s the way our brains work. So let´s just think about what we are dealing with in a language which has been "dead" for several thousands of years... and during those thousands of years it existed and was in use it shifted and underwent changes. That is why teaching is focused on Middle Egyptian.

Then the remains that we meet in papyrii and on stela and walls of monuments, is a kind of ceremonial language. We are not sure to what extent this is what really was spoken in daily life between people on the streets.

Yes, I totally agree, Faulkner´s book is a piece of art in itself. To anyone with an interest - get it! Your interest will deepen when you use it!

Another grammar which I found in my shelves is "Middle Egyptian Grammar" - James E. Hoch. It´s an extensive, very good one too, with a thorough grammar, excercizes and an Egyptian-English vocabulary. The content is divided up into "lessons", that is, chapters. I had totally forgotten I had it! :)