pathology will be easier if you can think of the normal and what should happen if it doesnt happen or work the way it is suppose to, this helped me a lot in path.

as far as the most common dz in certain population, that you will just have to memorize for the sake of it, no short cut around that.

and yes stick with 1 book, but choose good one such as robbins text for main studying and perhaps a review book like BRS for a quick review before a test or on the weekend.

and i will emphasize it again..it is hard to understand the abnormal if you dont know what the normal is suppose to be.