Hey NYER the books I'd recommend are anything by Frans and Bronwen Stiene. They're Aussie Reiki people who really know their stuff! I read a lot of twaddle before I stumbled on their stuff and since I first got into Reiki, and got on a couple of forums, found a lot of other people love their books, too. They write things for non attuned people as well as Reiki people, and are very good at de-mystifying Reiki and clearing it of the new age clutter! If I had to recommend one of their publications to someone just starting out it would be *Reiki Techniques Card Deck: Heal Yourself Intuitively*. It's designed for people who have been attuned/had reiju or those who haven't - and the techniques on each card are really sound.
Here's their website:
http://www.reiki.net.au/copy.asp?id=AboutFransBronwen
Which is full of brilliant info to get you inspired! Check out their podcasts!
Leela, I went and did a look up after I posted and apparently there are 'ordinary' insurers who insure alternative health practitioners with no problem, so you don't have to join a Reiki organisation like I thought! Other practitioners in your state will be able to give you ideas about cost, etc.