The theory side of the PPL is not very difficult (I did mine only five years ago) so my first advice is stop worrying.

There are two sets of standard text books, look at both and decide which you think suits you best. I preferred the large AFE ones but other people prefer the other set.

Make sure you buy a new and most recent edition of the Air Law one as laws made by humans change all the time. The other subjects are essentially science so were set by the Big Bang and haven’t changed since!

The learning technique is pretty obvious, read the books over and over in digestible chunks. Highlight key bits, do the questions at the end of the chapters (more than once if you struggle first time) and try to use a flight school that has theory sessions when it’s dark or the weather is too bad to fly.

I would advise to buy the question books such as “Exam Secrets” only for Law. Those books essentially teach you to pass the exam not learn the subject properly. Much of the knowledge could easily save your life so skimping on it is foolish.

You are worried about a few pounds for learning materials. If so, do you have either the money or the motivation to fly? Seriously, flying even as a hobby PPL is horribly expensive in time and money.

Good luck and enjoy it. Except for Law, it’s all interesting stuff.

PS try looking at these places:

http://www.leiafee.flyer.co.uk/Flying-HowTo.pdf

http://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=5