Just checked this thread before I head to the library.
With the gardening season winding down, I also am flipping through more books and keeping up with my favorite gardening blogs. I second anything from Ken Druse because I have tons of shade and learn so much from him (as an aside I love listening to his episodes on Margaret Roach's podcast "A Way to Garden"). One of my latest favorite books was "The Layered Garden" by David L. Culp. So many pictures, I took a lot of notes while reading that book. Claus Dalby's "Containers in the Garden" is also full of inspiration. I typically really lack creativity with container plantings.