BKN1964 Hey, BKN1964! I also have The Complete Book of Scales, Chords, Arpeggios & Cadences from Alfred's Basic Piano Library and think it's a great book. Amazon also has a spiral bound version, and even some used copies. But the book is worth any price, new or used. I took my copy, scanned it and made a pdf that I can view on my 24 inch monitor.
As for which scales to start with, of course the easier scales, like C major and A minor are usually where beginners, or those revisiting the piano, like to start. But, I feel, that learning scales, and the proper fingerings, can be less tedious by associating them with a chord pattern or a song. Even if it's a simple three chord phrase, or a simple song, having the reference chords may help to see, and hear, the association of the scale tones with the chord.
You can learn a song, and with practice, you can get to where you can play that song quite well. Then, go on to learn a different song, which is how many people play the piano, and are quite happy doing that. And, because all songs, chords, and melodies, are made from the notes of scales, you can eventually learn those scales.
However, if you learn the scales, and more importantly, the proper fingerings of those scales, when you want to learn a song, you will recognize the scale used to create the song, and be able to play that song, and any other song, more easily.
I know you said you don't have a teacher, but before you go on the "scale crash course", try to develop a healthy technique with regard to hand and finger position to avoid any potential pain or damage. Easy does it. A year is not an unrealistic time frame to learn and be comfortable with all scales and their associated chords. Good luck!
