Hiya
I get through lots of books from my local library (they'll get things in for anyone who asks). This is the pick of the latest books that I really like:
Big Book of Beautiful Beads by Elizabeth Gourley and Ellen Talbott. This is huge - I mean physically - like A4 size and about 1.75 inches thick. It's 4 books in one and contains step by step projects as well. It's got a bit of everything in it, stringing, seed beading, loomwork etc and the most awesome section on french beaded flowers in the back. It's particularly strong on seed bead stuff - techniques and stitches. And then I look at the back for the price and it is unbelieveably cheap for all that info so this is definiately going on my to buy list. (No, I'm not on commission!)
Next is
Gemstones, understanding, identifying and buying by Keith Wallis. I got this to learn more basically what the title says. I think this is a very interesting book written by someone who obviously knows what they are talking about. Might be a bit factual for some but there are lovely pictures in it and some tiffany work and jewels to dream off. My only concern would be for beaders that the gemstones are high end stuff that I doubt any of us could afford to use in beadwork but it is stilll fascinating and useful. Now I know about diamonds, carats and fakes - just in case!
Making Jewellery with Gemstone Beads by Barbara Case. Guess what I'm into at the moment! Lovely book purely for the droolsome photos. Not heavy at all - gives a little bit of info about the stones and then examples and instruction for jewellery using it. Great to learn what goes with what and for a bit of inspiration although I expect it would be challenging to source exactly the same beads as those used. However is very lovely and worth it for lost mojo days.
Other books I have found particularly useful or interesting or inspirational are:
Bead on A Wire by Sharilyn Miller (Fabulous fro anything wire work)
Start Beading by Stephanie Burnham (great for seedbeading)
The Art and Elegance of Beadweaving by Carol Wilcox Wells (seedbeading). Way too advanced for me but I like looking at the photos.
Bead & Wire art jewellery by J Marsha Michler (say that fast a few times). Has some nice wirework stuff and techniques in it although not all my taste.
And of course the first book I found which was great and easy to understand for a beginner (The Impatient Beader by Margot Potter).
Anyway, I hope you all found that helpful and of course it is only my personal opinion so don't shout at me if you disagree please.
Sunflower
but I do have to say libraries are beginning to stock alot more beading books these days - mind u non are on the shelves in mine cos they are all sitting very neatly on my beading table 
and like sunflower says if ya local branch doesn't stock it they can always order it in for u from somewhere else. It's a very cheap way of seeing if a book is worth buying for ur own collection and of course it helps with Library issue figures too 
) but with some added bits.. what I want to know is, is it similar to 'How to make Polymer Clay Beads' by Carol Blackburn? I'm thinking of buying Carol's book but wondering if it with have anything different to Sue's book.