Working with pottery at home

[If you are sitting on a clay mine, with plenty of wood around for fuel, you could probably build yourself a kiln in the backyard and do it for free, or nearly. Otherwise, you need to buy clay, which is "dirt cheap" and get a kiln, or access to one. The rest is optional.]

Are any of those kits worth looking at, or are

[What kits?]

Please also suggest a good book or 2.

[My favorite is Daniel Rhodes' classic "Clay and Glazes for the Potter", but it may be out of print. It really depends on what you want to do - throwing, handbuilding, sculpture, beads, cast figurines - there's a lot out there - check Amazon.com, under Ceramics, or visit your local ceramic supply - they usually carry books as well as everything else you might need.]

Andrew Werby