Hi Simon, a good starter book is 'Turn Left at Orion'.
It's a bit northern hemisphere focused but the principles and the descriptions are excellent for anybody starting up. Gives you a good idea as to what to expect. See if your good lady can add that to your Xmas list.
You might have to be kind to her this Xmas too, it always helps I find
And
as well to the madhouse, .. or money pit, which ever way you want to look at it.
Brent