Balanis is a profound text book, and should be sufficient to find a basic answer to nearly all antenna related questions.
As you say, microstrip antennas are too large, I wonder if you possibly try to achieve something unreasonable. What's your frequency of interest? Patch antennas are suitable for 860 MHz or 2.4 GHz RFID. You'll have difficulties with small 860 MHz tags, where only "electrical small" antennas (< λ/2) may be feasible. Balanis is also discussing them, you may want to refer to special literature additionally. But you should consider, that they'll have a reduced performance compared to regular size antennas.
If the frequency is below 860 MHz, microstrip or patch antennas won't be feasible, you should rather go for inductive couplers.