In the last five or six years I have used almost exclusively only two web hosts: DreamHost and Network Redux. I consider myself an “informed source” when it comes to the reliability of web hosts: I have hosted well over 3,000 websites with these two companies since 2000. If you are planning on running a WordPress blog, you should seriously consider going with one of them. Both of them have extensive experience hosting LAMP systems and both of them are ridiculously low-priced. They also both offer a ton of “one-click installs” of most popular website software, including everyone’s favorite blogging platform, which makes it a snap for even a novice like you to get up and running quickly.
I would definitely have to agree on Network Redux.