The Center for Fiction in New York has created this list of Essential Books for Writers. http://centerforfiction.org/forwriters/writing-tools/essential-book-of-the-month/

When you become a member of The Center, you can enjoy borrowing privileges from their circulating collection of over 85K classic and contemporary fiction and fiction-related titles. Your membership also includes access to their beautiful 2nd floor reading room, free admission to all Meet the Author events, discounts on classes, and much more.