A friend of mine bought me the book, " The wiccan path " by Rae Beth. She said it was the best explaination she's read that would be good for beginners. However, most of my learning didn't come from a book, but, from living. Starhawk writes beautifully, I used a quote of hers for my daughters memorial service this last march.
Heather/Claudia/Bahst

Spells, Ceremonies, and Magic (the Complete Book of) by Migene Gonzalez-Wippler

Provides the power to fend off reproach. Ample information and history if non-ecclesiastical ways.

Hail and farewell.
dakster@earthlink.net

I've read dozens of books on magic and the craft- anything I could get my hands on. My favorite is definitely 21st Century Wicca by Jennifer Hunter. It's very no-nonsence, down to earth. It's not cheesy or pretentious. It offers commentary on all aspects of Wicca by the author herself and also by people she's interviewed. It has a very helpful section on coming out of the broom closet, and information for younger people.
morrigancat@hotmail.com

The 3 books I love best and have been my major guide books to magik and wicce are "Good Magic" by Marina Medici, "The Power of the Witch" by Laurie Cabot, and "Witches" by Erica Jong. "Good Magic" was the book that started me in spirit workings, because it was simple to do and you didn't have to be of any religious type. Laurie Cabot's book was a great book for describing what witchcraft is, and gave me some logical explanations of why magic works. Lastly, the "Witches" book opened me up to the mystery and power of witchcraft. It gave me some understanding of the hidden and shadowy (not evil, just shadowy) side of nature/magic.
Aeon Pax Romana