Many prefer Python as the first programming language to learn. Some claim that learning Python later in a programming journey is a better option. No matter when you decide to learn Python, it remains to be a popular language among aspiring programmers and experienced professionals.
It is already among the top languages worldwide and will only grow in the coming years. Given its popularity, you can find a plethora of resources to learn Python, including Python tutorials, podcasts, online Python courses, videos, and e-books. However, the best are the Python books written by industry leaders and experts.
In this blog, we will list the top Python good books that beginners and experts must read to acquire Python programming skills.
Best Python Books for Beginners
Are you new to Python? Initially, you might not have the knowledge to handle and work with Python seamlessly, making it challenging for you. No worries, as we are here to get started. We have listed the best Python programming books for you. These are highly recommended and informative books that are enough to get you off the ground and make your learning easier.
Python Crash Course: A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming (2nd Edition)
Python Crash Course, 2nd Edition, is the top Python book for beginners that provides a detailed introduction to Python so you can start writing programs soon. The book is an international bestseller with over a million copies sold worldwide.
This book is fast-paced, on-point, and offers updated guides, which makes it popular among learners. It helps you learn about different Python libraries and tools, create customized web apps, and build basic 2D games.
The book is divided into two parts. The first one focuses on the basics of Python, where you learn to write correct programs and add them to your projects. The second part adopts an interactive approach to learning while explaining real-world applications of Python with three practical projects, which include a basic web app, data visualization using Python libraries, and a Space Invaders arcade game. You can add these projects to your portfolio to showcase your skills and knowledge.
You don’t need prior knowledge or experience to read this book. Also, the projects included in the book offer advanced learning guides, making learning more interesting.
Automate the Boring Stuff with Python (2nd Edition)
You can read hundreds of Python books, but implementing skills and knowledge in real life is completely different. Also, reading theory can be redundant and boring. You need to get your hands dirty to learn real things and build real solutions. That is where Automate the Boring Stuff with Python comes in. Unlike other books that mostly cover basics and step-by-step theoretical guides, this book focuses on application-based learning.
It is the best-selling book with 94% likes by Google users and a 4.3 rating on Goodreads. It teaches you how to automate boring and routine tasks through programming. It is an easy book for beginners, offering knowledge about varied topics, including scraping web data, automating clicking tasks, and working with Gmail and Google Sheets.
For people with no technical experience, this is one of the good Python books for beginners to start your coding journey. It helps you learn various interesting things, including updating and renaming files and folders and finding text in different files without opening them. It will transform you into an emerging Python programmer and enhance your knowledge so you can automate time-consuming tasks effectively.
Learn Python the Hard Way (3rd Edition)
It is quite a popular book among Python programmers and is worth all the hype. The aim of the book is to guide beginners so they can work their way up one step at a time. Therefore, the author has built an engaging environment through this book for readers new to Python.
You first learn to install a complete Python environment and gradually move forward to learn Python basics, such as strings, variables, modules, and object-oriented programming.
It tells you how a computer and code work and includes 52 amazing exercises to teach you various Python concepts. Each exercise requires you to write the precise and correct code, fix the errors, and run the code. You learn to identify mistakes and take corrective actions as a professional programmer.
Even if you know the fundamentals of Python and find the first few chapters boring, it is recommended to read them and progress chapter by chapter. Rest assured, it will reward you for every minute you invest in reading this book, which will be evident at the end.
Head-First Python: A Brain-Friendly Guide (2nd Edition)
Are you done reading those redundant Python how-to manuals? Then, it’s time to try Head-First Python. This book is a part of the Head-First series and is considered to be the best visual book on Python. It makes learning easier by providing a visual format that engages your brain, which is not always possible in heavy text-based books that are often boring.
The book is a must-have for Python beginners and experienced professionals. Although shorter than other books, it ensures a quality and engaging learning experience through a concise format. There are intuitive descriptions and concepts with fun and detailed explanations of why things work the way they do.
Its visual illustrations make it among the best books on Python for beginners, as it simplifies complex topics for learners. The book keeps you entertained and hooked right from the beginning, making your learning journey impactful. It starts with built-in data structures and functions and covers database management, web apps, exception handling, and data wrangling.
There are other advanced topics, such as context managers, comprehensions, decorators, and generators, available in easy-to-learn language. It includes a project that requires you to build web apps using Flask, and you can track your progress with each chapter. If you want a playful and multi-sensory learning experience, Head-First Python is the way to go.
A Byte of Python
Next, we bring another gem that every Python student and professional working in the data science field must read. It is a tutorial for beginners and takes credit for launching many careers in Python programming. Python books can put a strain on your budget, but this one is an affordable option that aims at educating the masses in Python, one of the simplest and most powerful programming languages.
This book gives a complete overview of Python and its history and gradually introduces the basic principles in an easy-to-understand language. There are in-depth explanations and examples, as well.
The author teaches readers how to get things done quickly and efficiently. In the end, you will find problems to solve using your knowledge and skills. The best part is the Python community has translated this book into 26 languages, making it accessible to a wider range of readers and learners.
Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science (3rd Edition)
This one is popular and a favorite among computer science professors as it teaches standard computer science concepts in a non-standard language- Python. It explains the basics of computer science in a simple language. Students can build the skills required to instruct a computer to solve varied problems using Python.
This book makes your learning a gentle journey so you don’t get overwhelmed at any point. You can also use it as a standard textbook for your first-ever computing course, as it also focuses on core computer science skills, such as programming, designing, and problem-solving.
This is one of the ideal Python books for beginners who are not professional programmers but are curious about how a computer works and what programmers do. It is recommended for people who want to learn programming through Python.
Best Python Books for Experts
Now that you have learned the basics and acquired some knowledge of Python, let’s move on to advanced books that will help you upskill yourself and gain a competitive edge over your peers. These are a bit complex books that demand prior knowledge and experience so you can navigate through the chapters and content smoothly. Read these books to gain an advanced understanding and training in Python.
Programming Python: Powerful Object-Oriented Programming
For those with a sound understanding of Python fundamentals, this book is absolutely necessary. It enhances your knowledge and helps you stay abreast with the technology. It delves deeper into the primary application domains of Python, including databases, system administration, web applications, GUI, and networking, through examples.
Many Python experts and professionals claim that Python Programming must be the next book for every learner as it covers all the major topics, starting with a Quick Python tour and exploring system programming, internet programming, and more.
The concepts are explained in detail using examples, making it the best book for Python programming. However, one might find it extremely verbose, so many prefer using it only for references.
Fluent Python: Clear, Concise, and Effective Programming
As the name suggests, Fluent Python aims to help learners achieve fluency in Python. This advanced book is a hands-on guide on how to write efficient code using the best Python features. It helps you learn complex elements of Python and gain an in-depth understanding of Python programming.
It is also known for implementation details and amazing material for best practices, making it a great choice for readers from different language backgrounds. This is the top book for programmers who have even a few months of experience in other languages and want to get started with Python. Many have named it the must-have book for everyone who enjoys programming and wants to explore nuances of in-built Python features.
This book covers various advanced Python topics, including data models, data structures, and metaprogramming concepts. You will also learn about concurrency, control flow, object-oriented programming, functions, and generators. It gives you a complete tour of Python libraries and features, taking you from beginner to higher level effectively so you can write readable and concise code.
Python Cookbook: Recipes for Mastering Python 3 (3rd Edition)
Python Cookbook is a popular read among Python developers and enthusiasts. It includes brilliant recipes on varied topics so you can learn to write code using the updated Python version. These recipes will transform you into a Python proficient with a core focus on programming and other common tasks related to Python applications.
The aim of the authors is to assist beginners in taking one step forward into advanced Python programming. Therefore, each recipe comes with an example and solution with code samples. You will find problems related to varied topics, ranging from basic topics to advanced concepts, such as C extensions, metaprogramming, concurrency, etc.
You will also find interesting and useful techniques combined with innovative solutions, so you can use it as a reference while programming. Python Cookbook is the best book for Python language to learn topics like iterators, data encoding and processing, data structures, classes and objects, generators, and functions.
Test-Driven Development with Python: Obey the Testing Goat: Using Django, Selenium, and JavaScript (2nd Edition)
Python is a versatile language serving several purposes, including web application development. If you are a Python professional who wants to dive deeper into web application development, give this book a try.
This hands-on guide teaches you the test-driven development (TDD) approach, Selenium, Django, Git, jQuery, and Mock. You also learn about web application development techniques that help you hone your practical skills and knowledge.
Introduction to Machine Learning with Python: A Guide for Data Scientists (1st Edition)
Machine learning is creating a buzz worldwide. It is known for its multiple applications across industries and offers endless possibilities. So, if you want to build your career in the evolving world of machine learning, read Introduction to Machine Learning with Python. This is among the top Python books for experienced professionals who need a reference to expand their knowledge and imagination.
It teaches useful methods to create machine learning solutions using various Python libraries designed for this purpose. It is a well-written and organized book that is easy for beginners and thorough for advanced Python programmers. It starts with machine learning fundamentals and then discusses the pros and cons of different ML algorithms.
There are instructions on how to set up a development environment and explanations of core Python topics, practical aspects of ML, and advanced ML methods. You will also learn about model evaluation, data processing, pipelines, etc. If you want to improve your machine learning skills, this is the book for you.
Grokking Algorithms: An Illustrated Guide For Programmers and Other Curious People (1st Edition)
Learning about Python algorithms can be boring. Right? But thanks to Grokking Algorithms, this daunting activity is now fun and engaging. Unlike other algorithm books, it is way more than monotonous texts and dense multi-page proofs.
It makes learning interesting through illustration. In the beginning, it discusses easier topics, including sorting and searching, then jumps on to complex concepts, like artificial intelligence and data compression. The best part is these advanced topics are explained using illustrations with code samples.
FAQs- Best Python Programming Books
You can gain proper Python knowledge if you can find comprehensive books that explain each topic through illustrations, examples, and sample codes. Make sure that the books you select provide hands-on guidance to acquire the necessary skills.
The most recent stable Python version is Python3, ideal for beginners when they start their learning.
Some of the best books on Python for beginners are:
-Head-First Python: A Brain-Friendly Guide (2nd Edition)
-Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science (3rd Edition)
-Python Crash Course: A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming (2nd Edition)
-Automate the Boring Stuff with Python (2nd Edition)
-Learn Python the Hard Way (3rd Edition)
-A Byte of Python
Once you acquire the knowledge and skills to be a Python developer, build a few small and open-source projects using Python libraries and tools. You can start by designing basic games and apps that showcase your skills and capabilities.
Python is among the most sought after languages in 2024, offering promising and lucrative job opportunities. Companies are looking for skilled Python developers who are ready to offer handsome salary packages to deserving candidates. So, it is worth learning Python for new coders and experienced developers.
Conclusion
As you have the names of all the good Python books and resources you need to learn Python, it’s time to get down to business. Choose the books that meet your learning goals and requirements. Please remember that learning is a constant process, and you must apply your knowledge and skills to evolve constantly and upskill yourself.
Once you are sure of your abilities, work on a few projects and choose your path. Python is a growing field, and if you become proficient in the field, there is no looking back. So, wait no more. Pick your favorite books, join a reliable Python course, and start your coding journey asap.
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