If you're don't read any books before you start playing serious poker, and continue reading and re-reading them while you're engaged in the serious pursuit of the game...you should just invest in a box of envelopes.

They're useful for mailing your money in. May I suggest my address?

And as for what books to read, I'd strongly recommend Brunson's SuperSystem (cover to cover, many times over), anything else by David Sklansky (who contributes the 7 Stud Hi/Lo portion of SuperSystem), and a great little book you've never heard of called "77 Ways to Get the Ddge at Casino Poker", by Fred Renzy. The Renzy book gives practical advice regarding certain specific, important things you will encounter every day playing the game. And his approach isn't an entire "here's how to play" kinda thing. It's more like "when this happens, do this". It's dynamite.

Lastly, check out the "Killer Poker" series of books by John Vorhaus. He's got a lot of good, practical advice for doing all those little things you KNOW you should do, but you just don't. Unfortunately, it's mixed in with a bunch of kinda trite crap that is essentially meaningless...but if you can wade through the useless stuff, he's got a lot of little gems you won't find anywhere else.