JLPT Textbook Selection for Returning Learner

I am curious what recommendations people have for textbooks for a returning learner, to supplement my current study of reading, watching, and listening to native material with SRS.

Specifically, which textbooks to purchase to achieve a goal of passing JLPT N1 in 1.5-2 years, and being able to read newspapers and novels with relative ease at some point. I thought this deserved a thread since I’d like more specific advice than which series to pick: specifically, which books in the larger series can be skipped for returning learners. I’ve found advice for different series in various threads, but nothing about what books in the series to skip.

Back in college, about 10 years ago, my classes got me through most of Genki 2. Since then, I’ve lapsed a lot, but currently know words containing about \~850 kanji rote, probably shy of 1,000 given sentence context. I find vocabulary to be my weakness much more than grammar, since I took some more basic Japanese lessons even prior to college beginning late middle school. It was more “learning the same thing again” since the classes weren’t continuous. I’d definitely brush up and learn some grammar for the test, but I expect that to be substantially less difficult than vocabulary and listening.

I’m considering the Nihongo Sou Matome series, but the complete set is almost $350. If I went with this series, would you recommend I:

a) Purchase one type of book for all levels, say all vocabulary books?

b) Purchase all book types for certain levels, say N3 and above?

c) Some combination, or evaluate further?

d) Get a different textbook or ignore textbooks entirely?

Thanks! Also, I know some don’t like JLPT as a goal, but I want it for resume and other reasons. I also work better when I have something concrete to work toward.