I’ve read many books since I started to enjoy computers, back to 1997, but some changed “my life”, the following are my recommendations:

1. C++ How to program (Deitel, Deitel) I read 2nd edition, 5th is current. Great book if you already know a little bit of C, if you don’t then get any C book or google for any tutorial. Be aware you need to know C to get deep into oriented object programming to use the best of this language. Learn C++ before any new language, neither Java nor C# teach you the great advantages of using an older but greater C++ programming language, memory management is the most important topic to take care when using this language (or any other not-garbage-collector-based programming language) and both Java and C# hide the power of using it. Of course, if you already know all that stuff on C, then learn the Vala syntax and forget about C++.
2. The Pragmatic Programmer, (Hunt, Thomas) Do you already think your “know” programming? You are wrong. This books gives you several tips for faster and greater software development, if you are missing this book on your bookshelf them you are wasting valuable time.

If you are looking to learn UML, then the following list will help you:

1. UML: Distilled Gives the basic about UML. I recommend to read it before any other.
2. UML Certification Guide: Even you don’t plan to certificate this book covers the UML Specification. Teaches topics for your fundamental and intermediate exams.
3. UML Specification: This is the must-read for all UMLers, can be “difficult” at the beginning but after reading all the 500+ pages you will be ready to rock.