I started with arduino last year and have had a lot of fun with them. I've been here a while but I'm definitely still a newbie with electronics.
I've recently bought Beginning Arduino ( http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Arduino-Michael-McRoberts/dp/1430232404/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1292237617&sr=8-1 ), it's really good. If you've not much experience with electronics then I'd recommend it, it's very well written and is worth spending the cash on compared to googling for stuff.