Forrest Mims classic:<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Started-Electronics-Forrest-" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Started-Electronics-Forrest-</a>
Mims/dp/0945053282/<p>It's written in a very friendly notebook style.
I just saw this today...it might fit the bill:<p>"Make: Electronics -- Learning Through Discovery" By Charles Platt; Released: December 2009 (est.) ; <a href="http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596153755" rel="nofollow">http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596153755</a>
"With this practical introductory guide, you'll learn important concepts while you work on real projects."
I immediately thought of this book "The Manga Guide to Electricity by Kazuhiro Fujitaki, Matsuda, and Trend-pro Co, Ltd." published by No Starch Press (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/mwsw7k)-" rel="nofollow">http://tinyurl.com/mwsw7k)-</a> it's squarely in the "fun" category but it's a little more basic and not really hands on with electronics.
Although this series is still a bit incomplete, it should get you started:
<a href="http://openbookproject.net//electricCircuits/" rel="nofollow">http://openbookproject.net//electricCircuits/</a><p>PS. Don't forget to send feedback and suggestions to the authors.
<i>Practical Electronics for Inventors</i> is pretty good.<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Electronics-Inventors-Paul-Scherz/dp/0070580782" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Electronics-Inventors-Paul-S...</a>
Buy the 200-in-1 Electronics kit sold (at least at one time) by Radioshack. The book is great (though aimed at a young crowd) and is the reason I am now an Electrical Engineer.