TITLE: "Must read" papers in algebraic K-theory?
QUESTION [19 upvotes]: I'm mainly interested (graduate student) in surgery theory and geometric topology.
If I have a chance to suggest "must read" papers in geometric topology for beginner, 
I'm very glad to suggest "Topological Library" books volume 1,2,3
(including monumental papers of Smale,Milnor,Kervaire-Milnor,Thom,Serre,Novikov...) 
available in the following cite.(volume 3 is not available in English edition up to now)
http://www.amazon.com/Topological-Library-Characteristic-Structures-Everything/dp/9812836861/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1296894607&sr=1-1
Question: What are "must read" papers in algebraic K-theory?
(I hope that most of them can be readable with basic understanding about classical K-theory such as Rosenberg's text or Milnor's ann. math. studies book)

REPLY [3 votes]: On the Lichtenbaum-Quillen Conjectures from a Stable Homotopy-Theoretic Viewpoint by Stephen A. Mitchell (around 60 pages) contains unbelievable amount of the very key information on both algebraic K-theory, stable homotopy theory, and their most exciting interactions. When I started reading it, I thought I knew some of both, and was overwhelmed by the breathtaking panorama the author was skillfully presenting, showing only the very essence and at the same time managing to convey deepness and importance of several highly technical methods. Fantastic paper!