Ask YC: What would you put on a hacker's bookshelf?

I'm surprised no one mentioned SICP.

Godel, Escher, Bach - Douglas Hoftstadter

Wow, surprised nobody mentioned this: GEB. Overrated in some circles, but definitely should be "on your bookshelf".

Make friends and influence people

Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand

SNOWCRASH for heavens sake.

Cryptonomicon, by Neal Stephenson

The C Programming Language by K&R

I'm a fan of "The Pragmatic Programmer".

Steve McConnell's Code Complete (2nd Ed is the copy I have) -- it seems like every second page I've read lays to rest some tiny unanswered question I've had in the back of my head since I started programming.

The Design of Everyday Things by Donald Norman

this book seriously changed how I look at the world... especially doors.

Code by Charles Petzold is an awesome hacking book. It takes you from flipping a light switch, thru simple circuits up to assembly language. It's beautiful!

"Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", because seriously... you need to read something fun every once in a while.