These days, there are many good books on Buddhism, ranging from brief
introductions and translations of the classics, to scholarly historical studies
on a huge number of subjects. Many good books are recommended here, a quite
extensive course of study is recommended here, and similar
lists can be found many other places. The following is a brief list of some personal
favorites.
Contemporary teachers:
- Shunryu Suzuki. Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind. The other collections of
Suzuki Roshi's talks are also highly recommended.
- Charlotte Joko Beck. Everyday Zen: Love and Work.
- Ajahn Chah. Food for the Heart.
- Chögyam Trungpa. Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism.
- Taizan Maezumi and Bernie Glassman. On Zen Practice: Body, Breath and Mind.
- Zenkei Blanche Hartman. Seeds for a Boundless Life.
- Anything by Robert Aitken.
Translations from the classics:
- Dogen. Shobogenzo Zuimonki. (Translations are available by Shohaku
Okumura and by Reiho Masunaga (as A Primer of Soto Zen).
- Arthur Braverman. Mud and Water: The Teachings of Zen Master Bassui.
- J.C. Cleary. Swampland Flowers: The Letters and Lectures of Zen Master Ta
Hui.
- Bhikkhu Bodhi. In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the
Pali Canon.
Of course, while study can be very valuable, it cannot take the place of
practice. Please continue to practice well.