Hey,
Welcome to the forums! I hope you are enjoying and learning, just like I always do here.
I second the opinion on Rod Machado's Private Pilot Handbook. I used it for my PPL training (will be taking my checkride within the nest month). It is a great book, giving you all the "book" knowledge that you need, plus tons of practical advice on many subjects. I agree, again, that his humor can be cheesy and distracting at times, but overall a great book.
The "Airplane Flying Handbook" and "Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge" are both good advisory circulars to read as well. They will have basically the same info as Rod, but in a "governmental" type language. I would also suggest the "Aviation Weather Services" advisory circular. That will explain any weather report you will ever see.
"Stick and Rudder" is also a great book to explain how and why airplanes physically fly.
It is my opinion that books are the biggest "underdog" in today's society (for lack of a better word). They are so cheap for how much knowledge you can gain from them and it is sad how many people overlook their value. There is a book on almost anything, and I highly suggest that you don't stop reading and studying after you are done with the "book" stuff for your written. Books are filled with so much knowledge and will keep sharpening your piloting skills. Have fun.
--Turbojet28