SharePoint books are typically divided between those for Programmers and those that aren't. Then there are the monster books that try to include both.
If you look at my list of 2007 books here,
http://wssv3faq.mindsharp.com/Lists/v3%20WSS%20FAQ/V%20Books.aspx I've divided it up into sections and the sections you should be looking at are General and Other (D and F). Look for the books of about 400 pages there as they should avoid programming.
One that suits your approach (which in my opinion is the right way to go - far too many people program what is already in the product) is perhaps this one Beginning SharePoint 2007: Building Team Solutions with MOSS 2007 (Wrox - Amanda Murphy, Shane Perran)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0470124490/heme0f but look at the Amazon descriptions of several.
[Warning Plug: My own book in that list (despite the Title on WSS 3.0 only) also includes a chapter with a simple scenario and how to achieve it.]
I also in that web site have links (some may no longer work) to free chapters from 2007 books - typically only chapter one but they give at least a feel for the style of the author(s).
http://wssv3faq.mindsharp.com/Lists/v3%20WSS%20FAQ/VII%20Book%20Extracts.aspx
SP 2010 "FAQ" (mainly useful links):
http://wssv4faq.mindsharp.com/default.aspx
WSS3/MOSS FAQ (FAQ and Links)
http://wssv3faq.mindsharp.com/default.aspx
Both also have links to extensive book lists and to (free) on-line chapters
