well half the fun (more than half really) is finding these things out yourself. I recommend you do that rather than reading anything else. Just play some games with somebody of an equal play ability as yourself.
I am no master, I've only played a handful of games and I've not read any guide. Here are a few observations.
Black is trying surround white. If you do dive straight in by placing exactly next to a piece then you risk getting your pieces taken, conversely you might threaten to take a piece yourself. I would call this an 'aggressive' move.
Alternatively as black you can place your pieces in a large circle not allowing white outside at all, and slowly encircle inwards.
If white gets to a clear 2nd row (or column) then they've won.
It's quite common for white to force repeat back and forth moves which technically is a draw.
If white gets to a clear 3rd row (or column) then black is not lost but is on the ropes, white can force black to the square next to the corner and is very vulnerable to being taken.
The star in the centre can be used strategically by white as defense because a black piece may not stop there.
Generally speaking white would like a clear board in order to move his king more freely, so piece exchanges could seem to be advantageous.