From the scientific point of view the nature of light is a fascinating riddle.
The following books present theories of light in a broad historical perspective:
Vasco Ronchi: The Nature of Light (1970, orig. 1939)
A.I.Sabra: Theories of Light from Descartes to Newton (1981)
Arthur Zajonc: Catching the Light (1993)
David Park: The Fire within the Eye (1997)