"Make: Electronics -- Learning Through Discovery" By Charles Platt; Released: December 2009 (est.) ; http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596153755
"With this practical introductory guide, you'll learn important concepts while you work on real projects."
I immediately thought of this book "The Manga Guide to Electricity by Kazuhiro Fujitaki, Matsuda, and Trend-pro Co, Ltd." published by No Starch Press (http://tinyurl.com/mwsw7k)- it's squarely in the "fun" category but it's a little more basic and not really hands on with electronics.
Buy the 200-in-1 Electronics kit sold (at least at one time) by Radioshack. The book is great (though aimed at a young crowd) and is the reason I am now an Electrical Engineer.