Starting out PIC Programming
I agree with PIC18s but for someone just starting they may be a bit intense. I currently teach senior level electrical engineers PIC development and even within the same classes their range of backgrounds can be astounding.

I currently teach people with the CCS PIC-C compiler but it costs money. It is unbelievable simple and was chosen as most of our students have only worked in a lab setting with basic assembly or x86 programming.

I have a feeling a very simple PIC16 may be a better fit, but it will depend on your background. The PIC16F688 is a very simple PIC that we use for our first project to warm people up.