When ever I am getting into a new topic I try to start with OUP's Very Short Introduction series [0]. They generally do not give good understanding but they orient you in the field and provide extensive bibliographies along with the knowledge required to navigate that bibliography and select the sources which will give you the information you desire instead of what someone else thinks you want. Failing that I just go down to the library and talk to the librarian.
They are an invaluable resource just don't get too caught up in trying to understand everything they present, they are introductions and about giving you the tools needed to pursue the study of the field, not about giving you a full education. They only take a night or two to read and the bibliographies are within the scope of the introduction they provide, they don't load you down with books that are beyond the knowledge of the sort who would be reading such a book.
0: https://global.oup.com/academic/content/series/v/very-short-...