Currently along with the AMAZING services that chess.com provides, I've recently added 3 books to my collection which I am currently reading. Each obviously for different reasons. I'm also hoping to buy "Think like a Grandmaster" by Kotov and "My system" by Aron Nimzowitsch.

Opening Repertoire: MCO: (Modern Chess Openings) by Nick de Firmian

Tactics and Attack: Art of Attack in Chess by Vladimir Vukovic

Endgame: Silman's Complete Endgame Course  (Awesome book, highly recommended. Very Complete, from beginner to master level. Each section is divided by which rating group you're in.) 

So what Books are you guys currently reading, and which ones do you plan to buy if you've already read all of them?

Mastering the chess openings by John Watson, full of ideas and plans for the openings and the middlegame that follows them, very helpfull.

I was looking at that book at Barnes and Noble's. You know I find it quite interesting that even paperback books are currently priced at over $20.00, yet there are more books written on chess than any other game. 

What would you say about the book you got, is it worth it? Can you give me a little taste of something you learned from it?

Tony are there any concepts in those books that a low rated player like myself, or some other people here, could really walk away smacking our foreheads in a "wow, it's so obvious!" manner? What things could you pick out from that book that pop out at you automatically?

Well, it didn't cost me a dime, the Swedish library system has a fine selection of chess books.

But I find it to be of great help, I've only worked through some of the openings so far, but the preceding chapters before he goes into each opening where a goldmine.

Why Pachman specifically, and not the middlegames books by Stean, Euwe or Keres/Kotov?

It's heartening to read that someone else shares high praise for Pachman's classic "Modern Chess Strategy" (I have held onto my copy for almost 40 years - someday it will rub off on me.)

It was years later that I discovered that this wonderful English edition of that book that I still value was sadly a truncated from the three-volume in German ("Moderne Schachstrategie") that I acquired later.

Soltis' "Pawn Structure Chess" is incredibly instructive with well chosen illustrative games. He was the author who opened my eyes to the meaning of Philidors' comment "The pawns are the soul of chess."

While some readers tar & feather him, Jeremy Silman remains a favorite of mine, and his "How to Reassess your Chess" and "Amateur's Mind" are books I am likely to keep beyond almost all others, reminding me how to break down positions - when i remember the discipline to do so.

Chernev's Logical Chess Move by Move.

Busy working through 5334 Problems Combinations and Games by Laszlo Polgar

Oh, that's a great book, helped me alot.

Comming from someone at my rating this probably won't make your day though.

I'm not reading any... What is a chess book?

I'm currently reading Chess for Zebras, by the young Scottish GM Jonathan Rowson.

How To Be Lucky in Chess - David Lemoir

Chess For Tigers - Simon Webb

Your Memory - K L Holger ( not strictly a chess book but an important topic for players)

I have not read an Opening book in years, sorted that out long ago, I flick a database now and then and reach my own conclusions.

Best Chess Book I have read last year

 Reassess Your Chess - Silman

I'm reading my system by A. Nimzowitsch.

Currently reading and playing through David Bronsteins about Zurich 1953.

Wow, some excellent books mentioned already for sure.

I'm nearly finished with Soltis' "Pawn Structure Chess" just going back through the supplemental games now, just a a few more days and I'll put it down.  Next up is Vukovic's "Art of Attack"  -- I flipped to some random pages and am excited about what I might learn.  Sometimes I'm fairly awful at defense vs an attack also, so I'm thinking this will also help me defend by seeing what works and what can't.

Zurich 1953 is great.  I want to start playing over it in a regular way.  Before I've just picked it up now and then for a few games, picking randomly, but I'm thinking now making sure to hit all of them would be a good idea.

I've of course heard of Pachman's strategy book, but don't own it.  Guy at my club does and was willing to let me borrow it before.  If you guys are also singing it's praises I might want to really consider getting around to it. 

I was gifted Watson's "Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy" some time ago,  I haven't read it, but skimming around in it it's not at all what I thought it was.  I think a more advanced player, like at least a master, would get more out of Watson's book -- it takes it's reader through the history andevolution of strategy.  I'm guessing it would add depth to understanding already in place.  For me I just want the facts as I can use them today :)  Heard it won some award though, andpeople say it's good.

"Open Gambits" by Botterill

"The King's Gambit" by McDonald

"Colle, London and Blackmar-Diemer Systems" by Harding.

They're always open beside me, I dip in and out.