(pro tip:expensive online, affordable used copies at magic conventions)
I've spent more for a single book than I usually find the complete set of Tarbell. I've seen the full set for $150 on Hocus Pocus.
What I like and what you like are going to be vastly different most likely. I am a bizarre performer with strong mentalist vibes.
Also, the stuff I've liked the most is generally also the hardest stuff to get ahold of. Derren Brown's books, for example - I have both Pure Effect and Absolute Magic and re-read them each once a year.
Paul Brook's stuff is great - Alchemical Tools, Book of Lies, and On Mephisto's Shoulder changed how I perform.
I have Kenton Knepper's Hidden Influence but I didn't like it that much. It's interesting stuff, for sure, but I found most of it was the same sort of thing I've been reading in articles and other books for over a decade.
Caleb Strange's Garden of Strange has a lot of really interesting, theatrical ideas.
Luke Jermay's Faith Healer, as well as his Modern Mentalism are excellent books.
I have Looch's Black Project which was great, and I took a fair amount of those techniques right on board.
Spirit Theater as well as Mastering the Art of Magic by Eugene Burger.
Show Doctor by Jeff McBride.
Pygmalion Effects by Aaron Alexander. (I got the special edition)
Andreu's Intimum Scararium.
So much by Bill Montana that I can't even begin to list the titles. These are all eBooks, though.
The Dark Waltz (Arcane Edition)
The Aretalogy of Vanni Bossi by Stephen Minch
Deep Shadows, Deeper Still, by Dee Christopher - I think How To Get Away With Murder is included in those.
The Mental Mysteries of Hector Chadwick.
For card magic I think Paul Curry's World's Beyond is under appreciated.
That's what I can think off of the top of my head.