Help with separating categories

Here is my problem and it has probably been answered a thousand times, so I apologize in advance. I have searched and searched the archives and the Codex with no clear cut solution. My problem:

I want to be able to have main content appearing in a “main� area that will show my posts from one category. That category being “Main�. Then in a sidebar, I would like to have a section that includes recent web reads of interest. These would all be from a category called “WebStops�. Also in the sidebar would be the current book that I am reading in a category called “Reading�. I know that when I was experimenting a while back I was able to do this easily with a plugin called “Show/Hide Categories� but it appears that plugin is not compatible with WP 1.5. Is this correct? If so, how does one go about breaking up the posts into the respective categories and limiting the number of how many show up?

An example of what I would like to do is at: http://www.jasonsantamaria.com

Once again, I apologize if this has been brought up before. My searches never really came up with exactly what I want. It seems like something that should be easy to do. Please if you can at least point me in the direction of any similar topics I would be eternally grateful.

Thanks,

Topher