I'm not a guitarist (a keyboard, brass and drum guy), though I can strum a little and play through a few sing-a-longs (think campfire type stuff). A lot of people are going to freak out when they hear this term, but don't: familiarize yourself with a little music theory. It isn't theory as in economic theory or theory vs. practice but music theory IS music. In fact, its better termed as harmony (more than one note played at the same time) and that's what you're doing on a guitar with chords and strumming -- playing harmony. Get familiar with 1, 4, and 5 chords, which are the major chords of any key (i.e., in the key of C, C major is 1, F major is 4, and G major is 5). On the guitar, the easiest keys I found to play in are G, D, and A, and you shouldn't have too much trouble putting most songs in one of those keys. Not sure why some of you are having trouble with the D chord; it isn't a barre chord or hard to play at all. Keep in mind that there are different forms of most chords.
If what I wrote in the last 2-3 sentences there isn't familiar to you, that is some basic music theory you can pick up on the internet in a Saturday afternoon.
Here's a book you might check out. I have not used it but is is written by a guy who collaborated on another similar book with a guy who I took a class from.
https://www.amazon.com/Everybodys-Guitar-Method-Book-1/dp/1569392811/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/147-8269156-8163565?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1569392811&pd_rd_r=f0d7774d-6f00-42a8-9ca9-20f78c264ee8&pd_rd_w=7VDYZ&pd_rd_wg=5LIZO&pf_rd_p=ce6c479b-ef53-49a6-845b-bbbf35c28dd3&pf_rd_r=FJZHXR1GK6RE34DZHVGP&psc=1&refRID=FJZHXR1GK6RE34DZHVGPAs far as guitars themselves, look on Facebook marketplace for a good used Epiphone, Takamine, or Seagull. If you find one that you think sounds good, then get that one regardless of brand. If you find one that, to you, feels good to play, then get that. I used to have a Rhode Island made Guild that, to me, sounded better than 2K Taylors even though mine was less than 1K. I would also recommend Elixir light strings to start out with.