Hmm, I must be weird. I didn't like the Joy of Cooking cookbook. I got it as a wedding gift nad tossed it. Too many crazy recipes for me. My favorite cookbook is the Wedding Edition of Betty Crocker cookbook. I would recommend to people who aren't even married. Especially you because it really breaks down everything from spices, to meats, to sauces, to kitchen utensils. It's great for learning how to plan different types of dinners and also parties.
Mine is falling apart after 6 years and some of the pages are stuck together. A sign of a great cookbook and a messy cook.
Experiment and watch tv. I was lucky enough to start cooking when I was 3. My mom was awesome and I was making meals by the age of 12. Lemon porkchops and crunchy rice with honey buttered peas was my first meal. The crunchy rice was unintentional. It's one of the foods that I can't figure out how to cook.
Good luck and happy cooking!