I'm into books myself, here is a list of good ones I have personally have read and recommend. Most of these books you can find for cheap if you are patient and hunt used on places like Amazon. I've picked them all up for pennies on the dollar by keeping an eye out. Good reads and/or excellent recipies.  

Ruth Reichl: Tender at the bone, comfort me with apples, garlic and sapphires

Jacques Pepin: The apprentice

Michael Ruhlman: Ratios(AWESOME book), The soul of a chef, the making of a chef, the reach of a chef, charcuterie(another AWESOME book)

Bill Buford: Heat

Bourdain: Nasty bits, kitchen conf

Emile Zola: The belly of paris

Keller: French Laundry, under pressure

Robuchon: Cooking through the seasons(AWESOME book)

Boulud: Letters to a young chef

Point: Ma Gastonomie

George and Piret Munger: The pirets cookbook

White: White heat 

Adria: A day at el buli (HUGE book, you can find it very cheap)

Escoffier: Le guide culinaire

Jeffery Steingarten: The man who ate everything  

Happy hunting.

Love Ruhlman's book, Keller's Ad Hoc at Home looks great, and of course I'm partial to Michael Symon's Live to Cook. That's why I'm cooking my way through it. http://www.livetocookathome.com/

Wow Michael...Sofia's blog make my mouth water to try your food! I hope to make that trip sometime!

First off, thank you for taking the time to mention Sass & Veracity.  It was a hit at my husband's office (we're all fans of your work on Top Chef and are close enough to L.A. for a road trip to sample what comes out of your kitchen.)  Oh, the amazing possibilities.

Although I won't be nearly as complete as Matt above, I can say that Jacques Pepin, Keller (French Laundry -- which I've not been brave enough YET to cook from, but have read three times), and Daniel Boulud (Braise -- there's a killer cabbage/bacon/pork/veg masterpiece I've purchased ingredients for many times and haven't found the time to create) have been inspirational and instructive.  The simplicity of Donna Hay's work is always a draw, considering my work in the kitchen begins at the end of a very long day doing something completely unrelated to food or eating. 

A food blog that inspires me is Wright Food.  He's pretty amazing on several levels.

I will read anything, ANYthing by Mark Bittman. I love his vegetarian cookbook and everything he posts on the NY Times. Just great stuff. I will also admit my love for all things Anthony Bourdain- books, travel show, I can't help it. I appreciate his honesty and love for all food.

I second Angela F's comments about Anthony Bourdain. His love of food combined with his brutal (and snarky) honesty is a big hit with me. I also enjoy Steingarten and Ruhlman.

I love the blog foodpeoplewant.com.  I'm always inspired by the flavors used and the slightly modern twist he puts on a dish.  And everything comes out perfect based on the directions given.  Try the Banh Mi sandwich.  It was a hit in my household!

These books inspire me to go to culinary school here in dominican republic.
Jacques Pepin: Complete TechniquesLe Cordon Bleu Series of cooking booksKitchen Confidential: Adventures in the culinary underbelly by Anthony Bourdain
Enjoy

Marco Pierre White : The devil in the Kitchen. Culinary Artistry by Andrew Dornenburg and On the Line by Eric Ripert.

Happy Reading !