Reddit reviews Turning Bowls with Richard Raffan

I second all the comments about pre-cutting the blanks round, learning to sharpen, and never use a roughing gouge on a bowl.

I highly recommend any of Richard Raffan's books on turning. An evening spent reading his book on bowl turning will be time well spent.

Check out the "getting started" section of the wiki. I'd also recommend Richard Raffan's book, Turning Bowls, it goes through all the tools you'll need.