I highly recommend Designing Type by Karen Cheng. It may be a little difficult to find but it has been invaluable to me.

This is a good place to start in the meantime:
http://www.typeworkshop.com/index.php?id1=type-basics

Another thing I've found to be very helpful if you're having trouble drawing a particular glyph is to open up fonts that you think are successful and analyze the letters on a macro level. There are a lot of subtle touches that add up to a character working that you don't notice from a distance.

Beyond that, the search feature of this forum works very well if you have a specific question.

I also recommend a sketchbook with grid paper or a dot grid (at least to start). It'll help you keep your character widths under control until you get a better feel for it.

Actually, it appears that it's not difficult to find anymore. It's in stock on amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Designing-Type-Karen-Cheng/dp/0300111509

Oh, and about the grid notebook: I'm not saying you should always follow a strict grid structure when you design your type. Your eye is always better than rigid geometry (and when you get into it, you'll see that most "geometric typefaces" aren't as geometric as you thought). Certain characters (in order to be most successful) should break the grid. The notebook is just a tool that I've found to be useful for keeping track of measurements. It makes cap/x-height easier to keep track of so you spend less time drawing guide lines, and makes it easier to keep an even stroke weight.

THANKS alot guys
this is super useful am so excited to start learning WEEEEE

I bet Leslie Cabarga's Logo, Font & Lettering Bible would be useful to you.

This may also be helpful: Briem.net.

I second the Logo, Font & Lettering Bible. This is possibly the best intro to designing logos and lettering. On top of which, it's completely hilarious and irreverent — maybe the only type book that's ever kept me up late at night, reading in bed and laughing.

i just ordered it
thank u guys