Create a Block

Hi people
I am creating a Block to show the last Book or Pages , title and the first text of the topic.

<?php
print $block->subject;
?>

I think this is the starting. Wich PHP code can do that easier?
or, is there a module to do that?
I dont know so much about PHP, and I am improving my skills traying and trying.
Is the typical block in Newspapers, to show the lastest news and a little text in the Front Page, like TheNY Observer and so.

Thanks
o-)