Well cards are my bread and butter, but I want to branch out into coins and many other areas. However, I want a much greater sophistication and understanding of card magic which is why I emphasize that type of book. I do not currently do any gambling effects, but that is one area I want to become proficient at. Well I typically like performing effects with simple gimmicks such as a duplicate card, double back or double face card. I definitely am looking for effects that would include these types of gimmicks as I do not want to have my pockets bulging because of the gimmicks; I am open to other small gimmicks as well. The best way I can explain as to what books I am looking for is that I want to have the equialent of a PhD in my knowledge of card magic. If this includes having books that include types of effects I wouldn't perform, that's fine because I would like to be knowledgable of many important aspects of card magic. I tend to do very direct effects. I do walk around style mostly, but I want to work on formal close up shows as well as stage shows. I hope I have been clear enough, but please let me know if I'm too ambiguous!
In that case, my strong recommendation is Card College. The five volume set is an amazing resource. No other book or set of books covers as much material.
In the bargain section, in recommend the following:
Hugard and Braue's Expert Card Technique
Hugard's Encyclopedia of Card Tricks
Scarne on Card Tricks
The Magic of LePaul
Menzler's Counts Cuts and Subtleties
Buckley's Card Control
In the more expensive catagory:
Aaron Fisher's Paper Engine
John Bannon's Dear Mr.Fantasy
John Gustaferro's One Degree
Specialty Books
Juan Tamariz - Mnemonica (Memorized Deck)
Kirk Charles - hidden in Plain Sight (Marked Deck)
Sets of Periodicals
Apocalypse
The Jinx
Ibidem