Nearly total newbie

I guess this belongs here, well anyway... Any suggestions on what libraries or bookstores I would find most if not all the pastry books in circulation, within the 5 Boroughs?

Any suggestions on books that really go indept on ingredients (what there made from and such) and things like what makes "this-and-that" the way it is, the Baking 911 website is very helpful indeed, but I need something that has more material and on paper.

First off I wonder if this should be here, since I haven't seen any topics like it. I'm a beginner in pastries, and cooking in general, and all the people I know have no experience. I've made two cheesecakes, one turned out inconsistant because of incomplete mixing or I buttered up my pan too much, and peanutbutter cookies, but I hope to make more. I do not know any of the basics or anything really, so does anyone have any websites or books that they would recommend?