If you're lucky you may have some friends that already play. If your luckier you'll have some friends that want to start learning now at the same time that you do. There is no easier way to learn to play than to feed off of others. They will hear different things than you and play things slightly differently. You will hear things in what they play and they will reciprocate.

Lessons are great! They force you (not necessarily a bad thing) to practice for the money you are paying. Books whether it be one, two or more crowded around a chord book can be just as fruitful. My playing improved 200 times when I started playing regularly with others. So either way you'll have someone else to guage your progression.

If you want to learn, you will. Either way.

All the best of beginnings!!!!!