The Everything Candlemaking Book: Create Homemade Candles in House-Warming Colors, Interesting Shapes, and Appealing Scents (Everything Series)
This is a great book! I picked it up and learned a lot about the history of candles, which really intrigued me. When she talks about how they were used for warmth, light, and fragrance in the time before electricity, I was enriched with a deeper knowledge of candles. I was also intrigued when she talked about their spiritual/religious significance and how they are viewed by various religions. I have always wondered about that sort of thing.
The recipes/directions for making different kinds of candles (rolled, tapers, pillars, containers, etc) is pretty clear. She also gives you tips on some common tools that you need (skewers for puncturing air bubbles, lollipop sticks for immobilizing the wicks, etc) and how she gets them very cheaply (She shops second hand stores, garage sales, and discount stores for most of her supplies!).
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is a beginner all the way through novice (she has a lot of tricks for making the most complex things with her candles).