Despite being told how similar C# is to VB.Net, I decided to get a beginner's guide and walk through it from the beginning.  I've been happy with this book which is suited to the complete beginner as well as the professional picking up a new  language.  It  includes a CD with all of the exercise code from the book. 

I've found this to be a good reference to the concepts behind .NET and the changes in one of the most popular programming languages.  For those who have worked with past versions, it covers changes to familiar concepts such as error handling and console applications while introducing the new features of Visual Basic.Net.

This is an easy-to-follow beginner's guide to ASP.NET. It includes a DVD with Visual Web Developer 2008 Express, Microsoft's web design program for creating ASP.NET websites. The programming portions use VB.NET rather than C# out of consideration for those new to the .NET platform and the book includes a decent primer on the language and an introduction to Structured Query Language.  The book is primarily for beginning programmers. Intermediate to advanced users may find it a bit slow and repetitive.

Intended as a reference rather than a tutorial, this book features hundreds of examples of how to use VB.NET to provide practical solutions from manipulating file names and validating credit card numbers to working with the registry and uploading a file through an ASP.NET application. While intended as a reference, this book could also be useful for the intermediate .NET programmer seeking additional experience and ideas.

Osborne’s Complete Reference series offers a lot of detail on all the features of the software.  The books are really big but they have everything you’ll need. 

The Pragmatic Programmer,Hunt & Thomas

These two books focus on general programming and design practices, independent of the actual language.  After you have a good grasp on designing databases with Access, including the writing of code modules, these books will give you an extra perspective on designing and maintaining quality applications.

This book is a great resource for anyone who is considering the jump from outside employment to self-employment. Even if you're not determined to work for yourself and simply want to investigate life beyond your current cubicle walls, Escape from Cubicle Nation offers advice on networking and planning ahead for the lifestyle changes that may come with a career change. The first couple of chapters are obviously drawn from many interviews as well as the author's own experience, referencing some of the common frustrations of modern corporate life. The book follows up with plenty of interviews with people who have made the transition and exercises to help the reader define his or her path forward. Escape from Cubicle Nation was published in early 2009 and its advice is given with respect to the current economy. A free chapter is available on the author's website at http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com .

Alan Alda's autobiography is an enjoyable mix of stories and insights beginning with his early life around the Vaudeville performers who inspired him through his work on The West Wing.  Although only a single chapter is devoted to M*A*S*H, fans of Hawkeye Pierce might occasionally hear his voice as Alda shares the stories from throughout his life and the cherished lessons he's learned.

I can only say that having seen the HBO series and read the book both are excellent.  As always, only the book can truly do justice to the history presented and the stories of the men involved.