So far what I've done is the following:
Mont-Reid Surgical Handbook: Good for reading before cases, also good for outline-format reviews of the first 10 chapters of Lawrence (fluids, shock, electrolytes, trauma, etc). I have this in my white coat at all times.
Surgical Recall: I have the 2nd edition and it's falling to pieces, but it's GREAT for the 10 minutes in the locker room before you walk into a case. How else would you know Eisenmenger's syndrome for VSDs? Guaranteed you wouldn't remember it unless you just read it. I keep it in my locker.
Lawrence's Essentials of Surgery: Good if you like to read prose. However, the Mont-Reid is basically this book but in outline format. Lots of overlap. I haven't "read" it all the way through per se but the fluids/electrolytes chapter, while dense, I have heard is key for the shelf. Also a good source of questions; read a chapter and do the questions, then do A&L when you're done.
Lawrence's Subspecialties in Surgery: So I did 2 weeks on Plastics and will be doing 2 weeks on Ortho, and also did 2 weeks on Cardiothoracic and a week on Anaesthesia so this came in SUPER handy for the way my surgical clerkship is structured. HOWEVER, i wouldn't suggest you go out and get it just for the shelf if you have a clerkship that only puts you on a general service for 8 weeks. From what I've heard, there were maybe two ENT questions, an ortho question, and maybe 1-2 other subspecialty questions on the whole thing. Focus on other high-yield things.
A&L questions: Have it, haven't started it yet, planning on doing that when I'm *finally* through Lawrence.
Pre-Test: Don't have it, have heard it's good.
NMS: Recommended by our clerkship director. I don't have it.
Pocket Pharmacopoeia: Because I always have it.
Pocket Orthopaedica: Because I'm gonna do 2 weeks on Ortho, and it has nice little cross-sectional anatomy diagrams for the limbs.
Student Essentials of Plastic Surgery: Cuz it was given to me for free by my plastics chief resident. And it's got great info on free flaps, craniofacial reconstructions etc that Lawrence's Subspecialties didn't have. (I was amazed - Lawrence doesn't even MENTION cleft lip repairs).
Pocket Atlas of Anatomy: Because I like anatomy, and it fits in my pocket. I wouldn't have remembered the transverse and oblique sinuses in the mediastinum otherwise. . . silly me. Also: yes, my white coat does weigh about 20 lbs. But you can always rely on me for scissors!
Advice from my classmates who took the shelf a month or so ago pretty much ran to the effect of "Don't bother studying because it won't help you anyway". Advice that was more USEFUL was "questions are the best thing to study; don't read texts" and "definitely focus on those illnesses that don't necessarily REQUIRE a surgical intervention. Know when NOT to cut."
I'm nervous. T minus 4 weeks and counting.