The Search: How Google and Its Rivals Rewrote the Rules of Business and Transformed Our Culture (Hardcover)
by John Battelle

A good overview of search, its impact and Google as well as why Google rules the world.

Peopleware : Productive Projects and Teams, 2nd Ed. (Paperback)
by Tom Demarco, Timothy Lister

The book made a clear and compelling augument that the human factor, not technology, makes or breaks a software development effort.

Code Complete, Second Edition (Paperback)
by Steve McConnell

Focusing on actual code construction, but touching on every aspect of software engineering including psychology/behavior, this book is an essential reading for every and all developers.

The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master (Paperback)
by Andrew Hunt, David Thomas

A classic reading on programming ranking with Code Complete and The Mythtical Man-Month.

Rapid Development (Paperback)
by Steve McConnell

A succinct, well organized and must-read collection of the lessons learned and best practices in software engineering over the last three decades.

Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code (Hardcover)
by Martin Fowler, Kent Beck, John Brant, William Opdyke, Don Roberts

Full of code examples in Java, easy to read and right into target, this book is a masterly and comprehensive reference on refactoring.

The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering, 20th Anniversary Edition (Paperback)
by Frederick P. Brooks

Focusing on the human elements of software engineering, this classic offers insight for anyone managing complex development projects.

Head First Java, 2nd Edition [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)
by Kathy Sierra, Bert Bates

A wonderful job of explaining not only the how-to, but also the "why" of Java fundamentals, in very down-to-earth language.

Thinking in Java (4th Edition) (Paperback)
by Bruce Eckel

A book that has many awards and raves from programmers worldwide for its extraordinary clarity, careful organization, and real life examples.

Head First Design Patterns (Head First) [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)
by Elisabeth Freeman, Eric Freeman, Bert Bates, Kathy Sierra

Written in a typically Head First refreshing style, this is one of the easiest to read and absorb among the major reference sources for design patterns.