The Mims books are fantastic. As a kid I collected every mini notebook and the green Radio Shack "Getting Started in Electronics." They were my intro to electronics along with the Radio Shack kits.

I have a paper copy of "IC 555 projects" kicking around on my bookshelf still!

PDF version here https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Bernards-And-Babani/Babani/...

Also consider the IC Timer Cookbook by Walter G. Jung.