Motivation and direction are important as you delve into discovering about this rich faith, as the sheer scope and amount of material can be overwhelming and confusing.
A general introduction to Islam or an overview of Islamic history can help one find their bearings; from there, you may find particular areas you want to explore further. If you are interested in conversion, you will need to strengthen your understanding in the two testimonies of faith: belief in God and belief in the Prophet Muhammad.
For many of us coming from the west, we know little to nothing about the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) so reading a biography about him is a great place to start. As the biography follows a chronological order, it's usually easier to begin reading than the Qur'an.
After reading a biography of the Prophet (peace be upon him), you may then want to begin reading the Qur'an.
+ General Information about Islam
+ Islamic History
+ Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
+ The Qur'an
+ Islamic Spirituality