the CODEX at Wordpress.org is very comprehensive but can anyone recommend a PAPER book - its much easier to read than a screen !
The one by sitepoint is a bit too far advanced at the moment for me
thanks 
hi there, check out “How To Be a Rockstar Wordpress Designer” http://rockablepress.com/books/rockstar-wordpress-designer/
Hope this one helps. It’s an amazing book for newbie
It’s an ebook However he still can print it out
thanks guys
any more ?
I like Professional Wordpress Design and Development by Hal Stern, Wrox publishing.
aha that one is new isn’t it ? doesn’t have any reviews yet on amazon…
Yes, it is new and has lots of useful information that is easy to understand and not disjointed like the Codex. I think it is worth buying.
are you the author ?!
No. Just a WordPress blogger.
Are we forgetting that the guys who run this site have a book called wicked wordpress design lol. Its pretty good.