I'll be disappearing again soon, so here's my suggestion: For new and shellbacks alike, cruise your local used book store for a copy of "Boating in Canada" by Garth Griffiths. It was published back in the late sixties and was the text used by the Canadian Power Squadrons for all their courses right through to the eighties I think. It covers piloting, hull construction and basic stability theory (centre of gravity, righting arm, buoyancy etc), boat handling, rope work, tides and currents, the physics of waves and the basics of weather - the whole kit and kaboodle. Some of it is dated but it is still a good general reference. It also encourages good seamanship - something many recreational boaters lack these days. It is a large format book but not thick, and the cover without the dust jacket is bright red, so it's not hard to spot. I've seen copies in used book stores, rummage sales etc. - they're not rare and they're not expensive.
Another useful book that you might find used is called "The Handbook for Non-Macho Sailors" by Katy Burke. It offeres some good ideas on how to do things using your smarts if you can't rely on brute force and ignorance. Also has some good logistical and safety tips for living in, and working on, a small cruising boat (the author cruises in a Flicka 24). A good reference for new sailors, but I still find it handy as a single-hander (a single hander who is over 40...)