Five Books For a Person New to the Buddhist Path

1...The Dhammapada – Any Translation

Perhaps the most cherished part of Buddhist scripture.

2...Buddha – by Karen Armstrong

An excellent biography of the Buddha.

3...The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching – by Thich Nhat Hanh

The basics.

4...Buddhism Plain and Simple – by Steve Hagen

Buddhism in everyday, accessible language without religious ritual.

5...What the Buddha Taught – by Walpola Rahula

Somewhat scholastic, but arguably the best introduction to the Teaching and the Practice.