Zen of Code Optimization 1994 ( https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Code-Optimization-Ultimate-Softwa...) is the follow up to Zen of Assembly Language 1990 (https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Assembly-Language-Knowledge-Progr...)

I see your Norton and raise you an Abrash:

https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Assembly-Language-Knowledge-Progr...

https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Graphics-Programming-2nd-Applicat...

https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Code-Optimization-Ultimate-Softwa...

Zen of Asm is also online, I think a few of the other works, too.

http://www.jagregory.com/abrash-zen-of-asm/

Ya know, I would put a lot of the books most programmers have read on the second list. How many have actually read Code Complete (HN is probably a bad sample)?

I totally agree about Design Patterns. That is perhaps the driest (I mistyped that as "direst"; Freudian slip?) technical book (or any book for that matter) I have ever tried (and failed) to read.

Thing is, technical books don't have to be that way. The early Michael Abrash books (eg [1]) are actually highly entertaining. Effective C++ and Java are eminently readable.

I lot of people recommend CLRS and I've certainly studied from parts of it but I found Skiena's The Algorithm Design Manual to be far more approachable and enjoyable. If your goal is to learn I suggest that. CLRS seems more aimed at people who want or need to know mathematical proofs or are bound for postgrad CS.

TAOCP and the Dragon book are classic examples of books that get recommended all the time (on SO, here and elsewhere) but I'm convinced only a handful have actually read them.

[1]: http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Assembly-Language-Knowledge-Progra...