Here is a book I found very helpful for getting started with general fish care:
The simple guide to freshwater aquariums
by Boruchowitz, David E.
You can get an older edition used on amazon for really cheap.
It's a good idea, so you can get all your info in one place when setting up an aquarium.
There is hardly anything about plants in it though.
The Walstead book mentioned earlier is also great, I recommend it at well.