Interested in learning photography. Any advice on literature or equipment for an absolute beginner?

I would love to start developing more of a visual approach to the world. But many false starts have convinced me that drawing or painting hold no promise for me. I'd love to begin experimenting a bit with photography, but have no background beyond taking pictures of friends or landscapes with an ultra-cheap digital camera. Time and space constraints do not permit me to muck about with actual film, so I'll need to keep it digital. Where should I look for an entry level camera and lens(es)?