If your new to trading, I wouldn't even consider options. but a good place to learn about options is here: http://money.cnn.com/1999/09/01/investing/daytrade_class/ - nathan
I understand that there is a lot of natural ability involved with trading, but I'd still like to do some reading, if only for my own sake. Also, is there any way for me to "practice" trading? Kind of like the stock market games that we play in school, but in real-time. I know there's a lot of software out there, but many of them require subscriptions to quotes and what not..
Go play some online poker. Poker is very close to trading in its psychological games. It will also teach you risk mgmt and patience. If you plan to trade on Wall St. you'll need a degree. If you plan to trade from home you'll need another job(source of capital) and an edge.(a winning trading strategy)