instead of me pestering everyone here with every silly question that comes
to my curious and uneducated mind.

please someone(s), direct me to a book that will gently guide me in the
edification of my brain in the world of digital photography w/o being so
advanced that it would frustrate me with technical terms I don't necessarily
need to know.

I have Canon's A710-IS. And would like to be able to use more than just the
"Auto" mode.

Thank you for your time and knowledge.

Bill