When you do start with Pynchon, don't jump right into Gravity's Rainbow. It is a killer book, but it is a hard read and long. I'd suggest Inherent Vice, though it isn't super Pynchon-esque. I have yet to read it, but The Crying of Lot 49 is also suppose to be a good intro. Mason & Dixon and V. seem to be much heavier, for major Pynchon likers. From there, I'd suggest Umberto Eco as a similar author.
It was actually PTA's Inherent Vice film that made me want to read Pynchon in the first place, this book trailer (narrated by Pynchon himself!) sold me on it. I appreciate the advice, I wanted to start with something that wasn't Inherent Vice since the movie is still fresh in my head, but I wasn't sure where to. I think The Crying of Lot 49 is gonna be it. Thanks!