what is an easy way for me to record my own CDs on my laptop?

For audio CDs, you must use a CD writing program and not just copy files to the CD.

I use Winamp; in that you click on the CD drive in the left bar and add the music files you want on it, the click "Burn".

Or you can set up a playlist first then add that to the CD writing page in one go.

Get winamp here:

http://meggamusic.co.uk/winamp/Winamp_Download.htm

(It's main site, for info - working through the download links takes you to the above page)

http://www.winamp.com/index.html

If you mean how to record auto to make a CD, then you need a suitable audio recorder - eg. Audacity for simple stuff or Tracktion for serious / complex work. See below.

Audacity is primarily a sound editor, Tracktion is a "Digital audio workstation", the software version of a recording studio multi-track system.

You also need a good microphone and audio interface etc., which is too complex to include here - look through my other answers, I've answered many microphone & recording questions.