Top books to improve chess

I have started playing chess again after a number of years and keen to hear what people think are the key books (not specific opening books) that are on the must read list.

Avoid opening books unless you have some specific purpose in mind.

My all-time favorite chess book is "Pawn Power in Chess" by Hans Kmoch, which must have added about 400 points to my playing strength... although that required a few re-readings.

Be aware that it is a very polarizing book... some folks (including some GMs) think it's one of the most profound chess books ever written. Other folks (including some GMs) think it's garbage.

WARNING! - This is not a chess book for limp-wristed, half-hearted dilettantes! It is a chess book for knuckle-dragging, hairy-backed MEN! The author will expect you to THINK!

Logical Chess Move By Move by Irving Chernev. This book was originally released with a descriptive notation that is inherently cumbersome and stupid, so make sure get an edition with the modern Algebraic Notation or in Figurine Notation.

Other books I recommend are the book series by Yasser Seirawan called Winning Chess Openings, Winning Chess Strategies, Winning Chess Endings, Winning Chess Tactics. Not sure what other books may be in his series of books.

Many people like Jeremy Silman books as well.

If there is an English version of this one Russian book then I recommend the book The School of Chess Play by Yuri Averbach. It was a popular classic chess book of general chess knowledge published in the 60s.

Another popular book that was first published in USSR, then also became a very popular book in English and other languages is Bronstein's "Zurich International Chess Tournament 1953" where he comments on the played games with a lot of insight and many amazing games. This book may be just slightly above the beginner level. I think it is an easy book for beginner who is under 1200 like myself.