Books I have and recommend

1. Complete Book of Chess Strategy by Jeremy Silman
This was my first book about chess. It covers numerous aspects of chess from opening, middlegame, endgame and practical matters. It is very well written unlike most chess books and is very easy to understand. It is a perfect book for beginners and like all chess books look for it used and you will probably find it for two dollars.

2. The Complete Chessplayer by Fred Reinfeld
The next step up. This book also covers the basics but is much more dry and has less diagrams than the first. The best aspects are that it has 37 pages of well commented illustrative games and a Laws of chess section that has helped avoid many a controversy.

3.Colle System 11th edition by George Koltanowski
The Colle system from A-Z in 85 pages. Its a relatively simple system and great for beginning and intermediate players. The book takes patience but definitely pays off.

4. Pawn Power in Chess by Hans Kmoch
One of the driest books of all time. It covers everything about pawns and even invents some terminology to explain strategies that are rarely explained. The most useful chapters are on how pawns work with specific pieces. It will jump your game considerable (especially the endgame) if you can muscle through it.

5. test your endgame thinking by Everyman Chess
I haven't finished this yet. Five chapters starting with easy endgame puzzles and progressing into painfully difficult to understand strategies. It introduces an idea and pounds it into your mind.

6. Chess 5334 problems, combinations, and games by Laszlo Polgar
Exactly what you think it is. I will finish it before I die. It will strengthen your mating ability in tight situations.

7. Kasparov and Deep Blue by Bruce Pandolfini
A good analysis on all five games. Every dedicated chess player should read about this match. Its very inspiring and thought provoking.