Agreed, the first thing I did was look at the categories in which I can argue I have expertise... And the five recommended books in each of these is grade 10 level pop-science at best.
The quantum computing books include at least one undergraduate text (Quantum Computing for Computer Scientists) and a more expansive reference (Quantum Computation and Quantum Information).
The CS books for data science include two undergraduate texts (SICP; Algorithm Design Manual by Skiena).
The regular CS books include two different undergraduate texts (Algorithms by Sedgewick and Wayne; Types and Programming Languages). I actually haven't read the latter, so maybe I will pick it up!
SICP is obviously a bona fide classic of CS and a great top 5 candidate. I also like Skiena's book a lot (and his lectures are available online and quite good).
