You should definately pick up a book on general strategy...they help alot.

I would also suggest trying some Limit games, these teach a valuable lesson on being patient and waiting for good hands. You also suffer less swings, alot of people don't like Limit because it is a much different game, but it teaches you alot.

Also the low buy-in sit'n'goes are a good place to play NL without the potential of losing as much $.