Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure would be a great book to read. He explains things very clearly and you will almost definitely get something out of it. Good luck.
Set your camera to manual "M" and set your aperture and shutter speed manually. Read your manual if you don't know how to do this. By shooting in manual, you will not only learn how to control your camera but how it works as well. It's the best way to learn - once you get the basics down, you can typically switch over to Shutter mode "S" or Aperture mode "A".
Read your manual! it's not just extra padding, it has a ton of helpful facts and tips in it that will make this hobby so much more fun. A better understanding of photography is a main key in enjoying it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask away.
Where are you located, Lindsay?