I suggest online PDF's like SEO Bible from Wiley, I find it very helpful and full of information.
On the other hand, since SEO is constantly changing and updating, make sure to always stay up-to-date with the latest trends.
I recommend moz and searchengineland. They provide the most accurate updates in SEO world.
I think google itself provides an extensive guide for beginners but if i were you i would also subscribe to Brian Dean's blog where he shares strategies that he is applying to his own business.
The best thing you can do is to follow live case studies, blogs, tutorials done by other marketers. I recommend you to read these blogs:
-webseoanalytics.com
-searchenginejournal.com
-searchengineland.com
-searchenginewatch.com
-moz.com
I think most SEO blogs offer SEO basics, but they are also filled with up to date information, which is very important, since rules for SEO change very fast.