Slightly off your topic but I think nowadays with chess software and online databases, people dont tend to rely on books now, it is probably much easier to get a vast wealth of information on whatever opening or game style etc online than it is to find a book which is quite finite compared to the internet.
I actually have began collecting old chess books, not for their merit, infact I will hardly read any I buy to be honest, but I enjoy seeking them out and having a flick through old chess books.
I am always disappointed when I come here to find only a few posts/topics on chess books. Go to the General Chess forum and it is so active and also has some posts on books.
Chess books are not the "soul of chess," but they are such a part of us and our learning. And books are really dear to many of us.
I know, I love nothing better than to be reading a chess book - whether its tactics or strategy or games or general information. And always with reading a book it raises hope that I may get better at chess.
Do you think we can talk about books more than we do? Make this forum really active?
To start this off - I have just received Bain's Chess Tactics for Students. It is not an easy book, but it is a large book and has good explanations.
Also, I am going through Woolman's Chess Tactics Workbook. Nice big workbook.
And now for the prize: I ordered Predator at the Chessboard (like the website) and the two books are wonderful. Clear pages. Nice, big workbook. Full explanations that are clear.
So with that, I will just say that I hope to go through these three books and pray that my rating climbs out of the slump I am in now. (<1000)
And I hope this forum will become more active.
stwils