The best Python books provide value and keep you continually informed. These books will help you learn about the Python programming experience. They contain the basics as well as programming skills that can help you become a better software developer.
Python is the most popular programming language, according to the PYPL Index. Python is also a versatile programming language that may be utilized on a complete web application’s stack. This article will present you with the best Python books so that you don’t fall behind.
Find Your Bootcamp Match
- Career Karma matches you with top tech bootcamps
- Access exclusive scholarships and prep courses
By continuing you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and you consent to receive offers and opportunities from Career Karma by telephone, text message, and email.
How Can I Choose the Best Books for a Python Developer?
Some technical books are intended for beginners, while others are written for more experienced programmers. If you’re starting out, choose beginner books that teach basic concepts for beginners. If you’re an advanced programmer and can understand complex topics, you may look for books that focus on sophisticated areas like web development.
Ensure that the books you choose are the latest edition of Python. For example, if you’re interested in web development, you may want to look at books on Python web frameworks like Django or Flask. If you’re interested in data science, consider an in-depth introduction to machine learning or data visualization.
Tips for Choosing the Best Python Books
- Check the level of expertise. Consider your level of expertise before buying a Python book. Ensure that you’re getting an appropriate book for your level of understanding. If you’re an absolute beginner, you’ll want to find a book that contains easy-to-apply programming techniques.
- Check the learning style. Some people prefer visual format aids, while others prefer hands-on learning. Checking your learning style can help you determine if a particular book is a right fit for you. Each person learns differently, so it’s crucial to find a programming book that’ll work with your learning style.
- Check if the book includes code samples. If you want to learn Python and strengthen your career, choosing a book that includes complete instruction with concise code examples is important. This will help you better understand how Python works and how to use it to solve some problems.
- Check if the book is updated. See when the book was last updated before buying it because Python frequently changes. Additionally, if you’re looking to use a Python library or tool, you’ll want to make sure that the book covers its latest version.
- Check the reviews before you buy. Looking up reviews can help you determine whether a particular Python book is the right choice for your level of experience and learning style. Reviews can provide insights into the strengths and weaknesses of a book. This will help you find a book that’s worth your money.
The 10 Best Python Books: An Overview
| Name | Publisher | Topics Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Automate the Boring Stuff with Python | No Starch Press | Automating tasks, text files, and parsing data |
| Expert Python Programming | O’Reilly Media | Python language basics, function and modules, input and output, and advanced Python features |
| Fluent Python: Clear, Concise, and Effective Programming | O’Reilly Media | Syntax, data structures, functions, modules, and class special methods. |
| Head first Python: A Brain-Friendly Guide | O’Reilly Media | Python fundamentals, exploring database management, exception handling, and data wrangling |
| Invent Your Own Computer video Games with Python | No Starch Press | Basics of programming, how to make a simple and complex game, graphics and animation, and user inputs |
| Learn Python 3: The Hard Way | Pearson Education | Install a complete Python environment, organize and write code, grokking algorithms and basic mathematics |
| Python Cook Book | O’Reilly Media | Data structures and algorithms, strings and text numbers, dates, and times, iterators and generators |
| Python Crash Course | No Starch Press | Excellent libraries and modern tools, generate interactive visualizations, and solve programming problems |
| Python For Kids: A playful Introduction To Programming | No Starch Press | Create games, animations, built-In functions and modules, lists, tuples, and maps |
| Python Programming For Beginners | Codeone Publishing | data types and variables, numbers in Python, lists, tuples, sets, dictionaries, and how to use them |
The 10 Best Python Books: A Closer Look
Python books are an excellent resource for developers interested in learning more about this amazing programming language. They’re helpful for beginner Python developers and those who want to learn more about the language. Reading a detailed guide may give you a deeper understanding, learn best coding practices, and gain access to practical projects and tutorials.
1. Automate the Boring Stuff with Python
- Author: Al Sweigart
- Best for: Beginner programmers who want to learn common tasks like automation
This beginner book provides a solid guide on built-in tools like automation. It provides the fundamental concepts that a reader will need to create lines of code that automate various clerical and repetitive tasks.
The book covers automation programming challenges such as altering documents, filling out online forms, or obtaining data from websites. Those interested in learning how to automate their daily wide variety of tasks will find this a valuable resource.
2. Expert Python Programming
- Author: Quan Nguyen
- Best for: Intermediate to experienced programmers
Expert Python Programming is a how-to book for professional programmers. It goes through error handling, testing, packaging, and development. It also covers web development, data science, and scientific computing. Two experienced Python developers authored the book and have received positive feedback for its practical approach.
3. Fluent Python: Clear, Concise, and Effective Programming
- Author: Luciano Ramalho
- Best for: Experienced Python programmers
The book teaches how to create concise, effective, and readable code. There’s a variety of topics covered in the book including data structures, algorithms, and programming paradigms. It’s an excellent book for those interested in learning more about writing high-quality code. The book gives a precise approach and provides examples of using sample codes.
4. Head First Python: A Brain-Friendly Guide
- Author: Paul Barry
- Best for: Beginners programmers who want to learn code blocks and class decorators.
The book introduces programming fundamentals like data types, control flow, and classes. Advanced topics such as generators and decorators are also covered, along with chapters on strings, bytes, and processes.
It’s well-written and straightforward in its presentation. It’s packed with instances that are both instructive and with entertaining projects. The book is current with Python’s newest version and covers all the latest features.
5. Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python
- Author: Al Sweigart
- Best for: People who want to build classic games like a basic number-guessing game
The fourth edition teaches how to create computer games using Python. The book covers various topics, from basic game development design principles to advanced language techniques. In addition, the book discusses specific uses in advanced graphics and animation, physics simulation, artificial intelligence, and user interfaces.
6. Learn Python 3: The Hard Way
- Author: Zed Shaw
- Best for: Aspiring programmers, junior developers, and returning professionals.
Zed A. Shaw wrote this book to introduce Python 3. It’s intended to be used as a self-study book and explains the fundamentals of Python programming concepts. It focuses on how to think like a Python developer.
The book covers the language’s fundamentals, including data types, variables, operators, and functions. It also covers an advanced topic on object oriented programming. Several programming exercises are also included in the book to reinforce various principles.
7. Python Cook Book
- Author: David Beazley
- Best for: Experienced Python programmers
This is a popular book written by David Beazley. It’s a collection of recipes for Python. The recipes are written in a question-and-answer format and are meant to be used as a reference. The author is a Python programmer and teacher and has written about the language since 2003.
8. Python Crash Course
- Author: Eric Matthes
- Best for: Curious developers who want an active learning experience on complex concepts.
Python Crash Course is a textbook designed to help students learn the basics of the Python programming language. The author, Eric Matthes, is a high school teacher who has been teaching Python for several years.
This book covers the language basics including code, using data types and variables, controlling program flow, and using functions modules. This is also the latest edition of the book.
9. Python For Kids: A Playful Introduction To Programming
- Author: Jason R. Briggs
- Best for: Kids and teens who want to learn programming skills.
Python For Kids is a fun book written by Jason R. Briggs. It’s a playful introduction to programming. In the book, Briggs introduces the language basics in a fun and easy way for kids to understand. It covers programming basics including variables, loops, and functions.
10. Python Programming For Beginners
- Author: AMZ Publishing
- Best for: Newbies who want a basic understanding of the complexity of tools used in Python.
This book is a beginner’s hands-on guide with simple step instructions and it has a lot of exercises to help with learning. The author is a software engineer and has a lot of experience teaching people how to program. The book covers many basics such as variables and functions. It also covers advanced topics such as object oriented programming.
Alternative Ways to Learn Python
Coding bootcamps and online courses are great ways to learn Python. Python bootcamps are intensive and teach students how to code in a specific language. Online courses are an excellent option for students who want to learn at their own pace and have more flexibility in their schedules.
Is Learning Python Worth It?
Yes, Python is worth learning because it’s a versatile language that can be used for various applications. It’s also a popular language for web development, data science, and machine learning. As a result, Python is an in-demand language and has a high job demand.
Learning Python can be an excellent investment for your career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the job outlook for software developers, which includes Python developers, will be above average. The BLS reports that the job outlook is around 22 percent which is much faster than the national average.
Best Python Books FAQ
Yes, you can learn Python by reading books. There are several books available, and most of them are good. However, you can always adjust your study with additional resources such as online tutorials and classes.
The best-selling Python book on Amazon is Python Programming for Beginners. It’s an excellent introductory book that provides comprehensive coverage of the language. The book is written in a clear and easy-to-follow style, and it covers all of the basics of Python programming. It also includes several practice projects to help you refine your skills.
Yes, a Python programmer job pays well. According to ZipRecruiter, a Python developer has a median salary of around $128,150. The top 10 percent of professionals in the field earn a salary of about $158,500, while entry-level positions can go as low as $70,500.
It takes around six months to one year to become fluent in Python. The time it takes to obtain fluency is determined by your experience and the amount of time you can devote to studying the topic. You can always enroll in bootcamps or online Python courses to accelerate the process.
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
