[qqrs]

Seconding the recommendation for Practical Electronics for Inventors as a comprehensive and self-contained book for learning electronics at a hobbyist level.

Art of Electronics is also a good book but needs to be read with a discerning eye to place everything in the appropriate context: some sections are important, some are premature optimization for hobby-level projects, and some are flat out obsolete. I feel it's better used as a reference book than read cover to cover.

Also worth playing around with the Falstad circuit simulator: http://www.falstad.com/circuit/

And there are lots of good app notes out there from the manufacturers. (http://www.ti.com/ww/en/bobpease/assets/AN-31.pdf is a classic.)