I'd recommend the 'Winning Chess' series by GM Yasser Seirawan. In addition to the first primer book 'Play Winning Chess' he's also written separate volumes on the openings, endgame, strategy and tactics to name a few, so you can explore the various elements of the game more in depth with each book as you see fit.
Amazon link to the first volume below for you if you want to check them out.
http://www.amazon.com/Play-Winning-Chess-Yasser-Seirawan/dp/1857443314/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343928450&sr=1-3&keywords=winning+chess
As far as the most important thing to work on to begin with - probably tactics. You can't be competitive without developing a good eye for all the tactical possibilities that are going on.
Good luck!
I would rate myself as a mid 1200 player at chess.com
These are the following 2 books im reading (read)
1.Bobby Ficsher teaches chess(finished)
2. Chess Fundamentals by capablanca (1/3 through)
I was wondering if what im reading is suitable for me, and some reccomendations for chess books to read after this.
One more thing, what is it specifically that I need to be working on to improve: tactics, strategy,edgame, opening, middlegame?
Thank's to those of you who took the time to answer