How can I take better and more interesting photographs?

Any good book suggestions? I have a digital camera with some manual controls and some basic knowledge on how to use them.

There is no substitute for practice.

Practice brings you a practical benefit in that you get to know your cameras controls inside and out, almost to the point that you don't have to look at them. Many shots are lost by photographers (myself included) who are jiggling buttons, flipping switches, and setting knobs. By the time you get the camera set the moment is gone. Practice with your camera gets you so you know exactly how to set the aperture, E/V setting, and shutter without looking which instead allows you to focus on your subject.

Practice also brings a more intangible benefit that you're able to begin to see the photos composition (makeup), framing, and lighting. Once you've mastered the workings of the camera you can begin to focus on how the picture looks.

There are many excellent photo sites on the web that allow you to upload your shots and have them gently critiqued by other members (www.photographica.org is one of many). Getting feedback on your shots from others always helps and also looking at how other shots interest you helps sharpen your eye.

Keep pressing the shutter button and keep a couple of extra memory cards on hand. They're cheap and the more you shoot the more you can review.

Practice. Practice. Practice.

Well the first place to go is the manual that came with your camera. That will tell you a lot about what your camera is capable of, then you have to go to the library or Barnes and Noble. I can't help you much from here because I don't know what you like to capture.... Portraits, Landscapes, Abstract, Architecture, Macro, etc...

Take your camera with you more the pictures will come to you if you don't force them. Popular Photography has a great website, www.popphoto.com. They have free tips. When you shoot, take 2 or 3 different versions of the same shot, altering shutter speed, aperature, flash, etc. using whatever goodies your camera might have. Then analyze them when you get home and see how your experiments worked out. Good photos are everywhere if you look with an artful eye.

go to sony.com
they have some free courses