[Harv72b]

Also, if you can figure out a way to unread the Hellmuth books, that might help. I've read two of his books (Play like the Pros & Bad Beats), and while they were entertaining & somewhat interesting just as a way to look inside his head, they were almost completely devoid of quality poker strategy.

For NL play, and especially for NL tournament play, the Harrington on Hold'em series is nothing short of outstanding. Theory of Poker is also a must-read for any poker player. Small Stakes Hold'em is an excellent book, but is aimed at limit hold'em...while it shouldn't hurt you as a NL player, it won't help as much as others.

The single biggest thing you need to focus on, and this is true for just about every beginning poker player, is bankroll management. Don't play games that you can't afford to lose at, because no matter how good you are, there are going to be sessions where you lose. That means picking out a very low starting level and staying there while you grind out the tens of thousands of hands it should take you to establish yourself as a statistically probable long-term winner, as well as to grow your bankroll to where you can withstand normal variance at the next highest level.

(Winning) poker is a game of patience and discipline. That holds just as true off the table as on.