Hello ajskla,
That's a great Book. On the Sketch/Programming side, I suggest:
Programming Arduino "Getting started with Sketches*- Simon Monk - An Excellent start to programming with good useful examples.
Also there is a lot of How-To on the Arduino-Info WIKI here: http://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/HOME
I started out building a 1S4 radio, lots of Ham gear, and worked as a Broadcast Engineer and Journalist for 16 years before really getting the computer bug and going to IBM. You'll find that this Arduino stuff will be no problem, if you're used to working through problems and designs.
73, Terry King ...WB1FQH etc...