First of all, the term Pagan refers to a wide variety of different religions both ancient and modern. Some of the modern, Pagan religions include Asatru, Druidry, Heathenism, Celtic Reconstructionism, Hellenismos, Kemetic Reconstructionism, and Wicca.
Wicca is one, specific religion under the Pagan umbrella. As such it has some very specific beliefs and practices. Wicca was put together by Gerald Gardner in the 1940's; although it is based on earlier folk magic. You might want to look at the post What Wicca Is and Isn't at https://www.spellsofmagic.com/read_post.html?post=637268 I've been a practicing Wiccan for nearly 40 years now. If you have specific questions about Wicca, feel free to ask me. Also, do check out some of the pinned posts in the Wicca Forum.
As for books for someone starting out in Wicca, I would recommend these:
"Wicca: A Year and a Day" by Timothy Roderick
"Wicca" by Thea Sabin
"The Witches' Bible" by Janet and Stewart Farrar
I personally do not recommend books by Edain McCoy, Silver Ravenwolf, D.J. Conway, Sirona Knight, and a few others because of the misinformation they contain.
I would have to disagree on the "Nocturnal Witchcraft" recommendation. That book is merely an attempt to dress up Witchcraft in a way to appeal to the Goth culture. There are many better books out there than that.
The first book I always recommend is What is Occultism by Dion Fortune. Then, for the wiccan path Spells and How They Work by Janet and Stewart Farrar. Wicca: A Year and a Day by Tim Roderick would be next. Even if you are not interested in ceremonial magic or qabalah, Modern Magick by Don Kraig has some excellent information on becoming acquainted with the elements, practical magical work and the like. Just my suggestions for starting off.
The best book i could think of is Wicca a guidefor the solitary practitioner by Scott Cunningham. I have that book and it is very good! It's even got the writers book of Shadows!
Scot's book isn't bad; however, he says one thing that is incorrect over and over again. He is the one who started the misconception that " Wicca is anything you want it to be ." That just plain isn't true. Wicca has some very specific beliefs and practices and if you don't perform those then what you are doing may be a fine spiritual path for you, but it isn't Wicca.
On the other hand his books on herbalism, kitchen magic, and working with crystals are a good foundation for practice.
