Re "correct" workflow, whatever works for you and gets you the results is good. It will evolve with what you get into. Re reading, what do you want to do, and what questions/problems do you have, that will tell you what to read. There are libraries of books on PP. I'd start off with a PS book, read it cover to cover, whether interesting or not. There is a book on sharpening if that is something you care.
I use PSCS5.5 and DxO. I assume you don't want to go PS CC and pay monthly, that is a major turn-off for me. The PS RAW converter is not backwards updated with new lenses, which is the reason I went to DxO: stand alone (no subscription) where lenses/bodies are updated. However, not all my Zeiss lenses have associated modules in DxO. Given that they are spectacularly well corrected, that is not a big problem.
I just started in DxO, so have not explored too much in terms of automatization, but seems to permit quite a few things with the pre-set features. I also like the export pre-sets. I do use PS for batch processing quite a bit.
For printing, I use PS with soft-proofing and good color management workflow. For that, it is critical that your display/monitor is properly calibrated. I use Colormunki design. If you have any interest in printing, read up on color management (e.g. the Real World volume).
For sharpening, PS is OK, but I also like Nik Sharpener (either as plug-in to PS or stand-alone. Has also a bunch of pre-sets.
Canon DPP IMHO is just annoying. Particularly the limit of importing 200 files before it crashes, is a non-starter. For that reason, I have not further looked at it.
Re image management, I developed a stand-alone database (FileMaker). Sooner or later you will have to face the music. Started that back in 1993 before there was anything available. I also use various camera systems (35 mm slides, B&W, 4x5 chromes, dSLR, microscope camera, SEM), therefore LR and alike are not cutting it. My db also permits to do customized data exports, pdf generation, and generates invoices. Takes a bit of work, but has paid off.