Welcome to SM I've just almost passed that very first "holy crap where do I begin!" stage and now feel capable of making very simple things.

Basically I did what everyone else has mentioned so far, used F1 and did all the tutorials which are invaluble, I downloaded all the free tutorials here, and signed up for VIP and have got a couple of those ones too so far, and that was pretty much it. I think I might buy a book like you to take it a little further, but you'll find your sea legs in no time, once you know the real platform basics you'll be all set

Oh and "Maya Tutorial" into www.google.com is a good thing to do