Books on Astronomy

Basic Charts and Books good for beginner to intermediate observers

'Pocket Sky Atlas'  from Sky And Telescope and by Roger W. Sinnott
Highly recommended set of charts nicely organized that contains detailed and well done charts for medium to bright deep sky targets.  Very nice book size format and very well thought out charts covering objects of all sorts.

'DeepMap 600'  by Will Tirion with object selection by master observer Steve Gottlieb 
You have to get this map.  Period.  This map I use more than any other paper reference for quick browsing of the full north american visible night sky.  The back has info on 600 objects that cover all the Messier objects and more.

'Planisphere'   Assorted versions exist
A sort of analog computer for the night skies meant for stargazers who are just starting out.    You dial in the date and time and this shows you what should be above you in the  full night sky as seen in North America or Eurpoe. 

'The Backyard Astronomers Guide'  (Be sure to get Third Edition as it is greatly enhanced).  This big book is both large and heavy BUT Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer cover a wealth of basic to semi-advanced topics

'NightWatch'   by Terence Dickinson   Fourth Edition has northern and southern sky charts and pics as well.  This is a very nicely done book and I think is well worth having. Also has southern sky objects.

'DeepSky Companions: The Messier Objects'   by Stephen James O'Meara
A good book for field and general detailed info on the famous and brightest and/or largest objects in the skies.

'Celestial Sampler'  by Sue French
Great tours of sections of the sky that is aimed at observers that have perhaps found and observed all of the Messier objects and are in pursuit of the many deep-sky objects.

'Skywatching'  by David H. Levy
The first is well presented basic information and the second book is the more advanced topics.