1) if you want better melee you should google 'dnd 3.5 tome of battle' which will show you some nice powered up fighters. If you want other books i can recommend a few. Players handbook 1 and 2 are pretty standard. will be added once the PHB is released (and so on). You can currently make up the most basic classes, and bards, etc.
WotC will continue updating it with every new release – the PHB, MM, and DMG, and beyond. You don’t have to spend a penny – the Basic Rules are available in a free PDF that Brian linked up there.