Want to get started on this craft

[TonyV]

Yes to books.  Be careful of the Youtube vids.  Some are experts with valuable skills to share and well-presented lessons, others not so much.  

Amazon tool kits made of chinesium?  Some of those tools work out ok, some don't.  You will end up with a box full of tools that ain't worth the postage and/or unnecessary to your chosen path in the craft.  A mere few that serve well enough.  Better to buy what you need when you need it, and be willing to spend for better quality tools that you know you want and need.

So many paths to take down the leather trail!  Tooling, carving, plain. and artsy.  Saddles, chaps, tack and harness.  Clothing shoes, boots, purses and bags.  Belts, wallets, holsters, sheaths.  Furniture, wall art.  Braiding and whips.  'Adult' items and kink. 

Choose somethin simple to start with.  A belt, a wallet, something like that.  I suspect that most of us started with a kit from Tandy or a craft store.   Start with the most basic tools.  You need a cutting surface like a plastic cutting board.  A very sharp knife, a Stanley utility knife works very well and an awl.  stiitching or lacing needles if needed, PVA glue or contact adhesive as needed.  Build a couple simple projects first, then move on to the more complicated stamping and carving. Buy tools as needed.