Hi, Cathy! I made the same resolution as you did!
I have a copy of the Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook (okay, it's not so new anymore) that has been my bible since I was in college. I've had people give me replacements over the years but I still use the original even though it's falling apart. I like it because it has basic cooking temps and times for all kinds of meat, vegetables, etc. I can use it for the basics and as I get more comfortable I can start customizing stuff.
My husband is a great cook, and he loves books by Alton Brown of "Good Eats" fame because he's more of a scientist than a chef. Instead of just giving you a recipe for, say, soup; he'll go into stuff like what makes a good stock, how to pick the pot to use, etc. He believes you should never just follow a recipe; you should understand the role each ingredient and each step plays in the dish.
Best of luck!
Lara