Keep in mind that some "VB.NET" books refer to using the language for windows development (ie software applications) more than web development (ASP.NET).

Also, I note that no one pointed you to other languages (eg C#).  That's probably reasonable if you're considering DotNetNuke since the core is written in VB and gives examples for you to draw from.  However, you can write modules in any language.

I'd start conceptually to understand how server side things work.

Visit the library: get a book that walks you through setting up IIS (the webserver) -- you don't need the latest or greatest to get your website set up on your own computer.

Try creating html pages on that server.

Try creating a simple programmed page (ie ASP.NET) ... search out a "hello world" program from the internet.

Then you'll need to understand some database stuff.  Try installing DotNetNuke on your server.  If you can get this done then you'll be part way there -- you just need to read books on data access after that ... or follow some of the suggested tutorials on DAL+

If you're not at the tutorial point yet after installing dotnetnuke then I'd pick up a general book on ASP.NET in your language of choice.

Good luck.

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/Brian C