Book recommendations for learning how to fly?
As you pointed out in your question, no book is a substitute for actual instruction in an aircraft with a flight instructor. That being said, doing your homework and knowing what your instructor is going to expect goes a long way toward completing your training in a timely manner.
The books here are all great reference texts to be combined with a flight instruction curriculum.

FAA Publications / Books for initial training

A surprising number of new student pilots are not aware of the wealth of information the FAA has compiled and published to help people learn to fly. There is a whole series of FAA Handbooks and Manuals that you can take advantage of which are available from the FAA as well as from a variety of publishers like ASA. While all of the regulatory information is geared toward US/FAA regulations much of the technique information, signs &amp; markings, etc. will be universal, in conformance with ICAO rules.
I list a whole bunch of them here, but you can find a wealth of information by googling what you want to do and the words "FAA Handbook".


Books on Flying the aircraft - maneuvers, etc.
Quite simply if it flies the FAA probably has a book about how you should fly it.  These books cover basic flying technique and the maneuvers the FAA expects pilots to be able to demonstrate.
The popular ones include:
The Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3A)
The Helicopter Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21A)
The Glider Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-13A)
The Balloon Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-11A)
Books on "essential aviation knowledge" - Airport signs &amp; markings, "rules of the air", etc.
The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25A) is the starting point here.
The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) is another key resource (you will often find this as a combined "FAR/AIM" printed publication).
Books for the more advanced stuff - Instrument ratings and beyond
The Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B) and Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16) are excellent references for pilots pursuing an instrument rating.