I still swear by good old Delias Complete Cookery Course published way back in 1978.It gives you all the basics and is easy to follow.I have built up a huge pile of cookery books over the years but still go back to this for certain things.You can pick up lots of different ones in charity chops .
Another good one is Prue Leiths Cookery Bible.
Those little regional cookery books are good too ..they cost about a quid and are published by
Salmon under the title "Favourite" Casserole,Soups,Dairy recipes for example .
These ones
http://www.worldwideshoppingmall.co.uk/books/f avourite-pudding-recipes.asp