I'm familiar with Java, so I've found it easy to hook up with libraries I already understand and just crank out code. When I've tried Common Lisp before I've always struggled (probably because the barrier to understanding was higher) to find libraries to do things like Graphics and GUI work.
I've been working my way through PAIP (using Clojure instead of Lisp) and that's given me a good sense of Lisp style (I hope). I've found that just the act of typing in the code and converting it over to Clojure has helped me grok some of the functional programming concepts I was struggling with (slightly reminiscent of typing in classic arcade games on my ZX Spectrum!).
Clojure has been my catalyst to understanding Lisp-like concepts, and if I had to give one reason for that it would be just having access to all the Java libraries.
I've been working my way through PAIP (using Clojure instead of Lisp) and that's given me a good sense of Lisp style (I hope). I've found that just the act of typing in the code and converting it over to Clojure has helped me grok some of the functional programming concepts I was struggling with (slightly reminiscent of typing in classic arcade games on my ZX Spectrum!).
Clojure has been my catalyst to understanding Lisp-like concepts, and if I had to give one reason for that it would be just having access to all the Java libraries.