What is your preamp? Reason I ask is to make sure that your preamp has a true phono input (not just a line level input labeled for a TT, as some do, which would mean you'd have to buy some more hardware) and to find out what type of phono input (MM or MC) it has, which would dictate the type of cartridge you could use on your turntable.
As far as books, I would imagine Robert Harley's book would discuss turntable basics, and Michael Fremer has a DVD out about turntable setup that might be helpful, though I haven't seen it.