If you want the advice of a fellow newbie, stick to the internet. or get a RECENT book of projects...
One classic text is Forest M Mimms III Getting Started In Electronics, and I found it quite helpful learning wise, but a big frustration to go to the local shop with a list of parts that are no longer easy to get.
I like audio stuff, and robotics, so I am biased, but, just think of something you want to build, and search for a circuit in google. Oscillators are always fun because they make noises and are easy.. There are a thousand ways to make them it seems. Its probably cheating and Im not learning as much as I should, but, the 555 timer, a little 8pin Integrated Circuit Im sure you are aware of, is making me happy.. with just one of those and some resistors and capacitors you can make an awful lot of stuff it seems.