For the translations part, I prefer the 'Guru Granth Darpan' by Prof. Sahib Singh (published by a number of publishers, including The Sikh missionary college, Ludhiana) and the 'Santhya' By (Dr.) Bhai Vir Singh (published by Language Department , Punjab in seven volumes and available at a very affordable price).
The following link may also help:
http://www.gurbanifiles.org/translations/index.htm
Prof.Sahib Singh has also written a concise 'Gurbani Vyakaran' (Gurbani grammar) though it may not appeal much to a beginner but certainly a treat for those who enjoy grammar.
There are quite a number of publishers like the following who also provide good Sikhism books with a genuine price tag.
*Sikh missionary college, Ludhiana (
http://www.sikhmissionarycollege.org/);
*Bhai Randhir Singh Trust, Ludhiana(
http://www.bsrstrust.org/books/);
*SGPC(
http://sgpc.net/);
*Bhai Vir Singh Sahit Sadan, Delhi (
http://www.bvsss.org/);
*and Govt. establishments like Language department, Punjab; Punjabi University(Publication bureau), Patiala etc.
I apologise since this is not a very exhaustive list but I'll continue to add new ones as soon as I can remember them!!
WAHEGURU