Instructive books

Originally posted by joesheppe
(older) -- John Nunn: Chess Move by Move (Amazon for $7. or $8. U.S. used)
(newer) -- Colin Crouch: Modern Chess Move by Move

Both are very good. Still working my way through Colin's, but Nunn's book was memorable: well-written and good production values.
I would also recommend one of many good tomes out on endgames. Glenn Flear's series is a good read. That is, the layout is fun. Endgame reading needs to be fun, eh?

I am a huge fan of all of Glenn Flear's endgame books. They are part of my rep-OTB tournament prep.

They are not overwhelming, they focus on ideas and understanding, and they are memorable, and easy to recall in the middle of a game.