I'd say "the classics". Don't ignore older texts - the basics won't (don't, can't) change; the language of choice changes every year but the basics are still th

I'd say "the classics". Don't ignore older texts - the basics won't (don't, can't) change; the language of choice changes every year but the basics are still the same. Things I liked: * Tanenbaum on Computer Networks, and Structured Computer Organization (the examples are old but the fundamentals are very clear and very applicable) * Kernighan's original C book * Brooks Mythical Man-Month * Aho on Compilers (dragon book) * Abelson's Structure and Interpretation (for familiarity with algorithm basics) * Hofstadter on Godel (fun)