for a good book get New Rules of Lifting, by Alwyn Cosgrove. Even if you dont use the training programs, it is excellent at explaining how our bodies work and the best way to deal with it for fat loss, muscle gain etc etc.
In terms of bloating, it could be anything including a distorted image of how you look. assuming thats not the case, bloating could be down to an intolerance, bad food combinations, overeating, undereating, water retention etc.
although ive not done bad with my diet over the festive break, ive not been as clean as i have been and i felt it bad. not fat or unhealthy just a bit uncomfortable. yesterday i went back to drinking peppermint tea, something ive always used for helping digestion but got out of the habit of. we have a pint-sized mug at work and i had 3, just like i would keep sipping a bottle of water i had that instead. today i feel much better (and emptier!) although ill spare certain details. ive always found its a great way to shift a bloat or stomach discomfort.