I don't know if I would necessarily recommend this to a beginner, but once you start your training, and develope an understanding of whats going on, i'd definately say get the Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. I think its very good.
I just finished my private and have been reading this book for a while now in preperation for the rest of my training. I like it so far. I breaks things down in alot more depth than other books I have glanced through.
For a while I thought all pilot books were worded exactly like my A&P books, but this one takes it to what a "pilots" level should be in my opinion...