I am going to sound old and stodgy. First learn the techniques of baking before learning the science. I learned to bake using my faithful red-and-white Betty Crocker Picture Cook Book. I also like the Fannie Farmer Baking Cookbook by Marion Cunningham.
You can never go wrong with ATK, Cook's Illustrated or Cook's Country recipes either. Here's a link to one of their baking cookbooks:
King Arthur Flour is another good source:
There are other good baking books out there too.