Well, even if you don't have a tripod, still try it. If you are really in to it, or even kind of in to it, pick up a Sunpak 8001UT Tripod. They are very cheap (only $35), very light, and pretty sturdy. Of course, I'd love to have the Linhof Profi III Tripod ($2,417.50) and Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ballhead ($455), but I can't exactly justify those purchases.
By the way, my setup is:
Powershot S2 IS
Sunpak 8001UT Tripod
Lowepro Bag
512+128MB SD Cards
My favorite photography book would be The Digital Photography Book, by Scott Kelby. I recommend to people like me, who have been in photography for a while, and know your way around. I'd been looking for a book for People on about a 6 or 7 on the photography scale, with 10 being Ansel Adams, 8 and 9 being pros, 7 being semi-pro, 5 being decent, and 1 being my aunt
. This book is perfect for those who are a 6 on that scale, and have been wading through tons of books for people that are 2-4 on the scale. I was overjoyed to find this.