9 Best Coding Books for Beginners – Must Read Books

September 01 , 2021
Chris Specht
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Coding Books for Beginners

Learning to code is one of the best things you can do for your job prospects. Though there is no shortage of free content online, these resources typically provide only a surface-level introduction to coding. The best way to learn to code is through a vetted, reviewed book.

With that in mind, here is our collection of the best coding books for beginners, listed in no particular order.

9 Best Coding Books for Beginners

Eloquent JavaScript: A Modern Introduction to Programming

For aspiring JavaScript programmers, no list of coding books for beginners is complete without this classic introductory text by Marijn Haverbeke. JavaScript is already accessible for beginners – with this book, things are even easier.

The Self-Taught Programmer: The Definitive Guide to Programming Professionally

Author Cory Althoff taught himself how to code professionally using Python 3. With this book, beginners can now learn object-oriented programming, create a powerful Python program, and ultimately follow in Cory’s footsteps.

Programming Pearls

The pearls in this book title refer to pearls of wisdom, and author Jon Bentley has plenty to share. This text is frequently cited as not only one of the top coding books for beginners but one of the top coding books overall.

Learning Python: Powerful Object-Oriented Programming

Mark Lutz’s comprehensive, in-depth intro to Python is one of the most versatile coding books for beginners – it’s popular with new developers and with veteran pros looking to learn a new coding language from scratch.

Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship

Learning how to code is useless if the code you write isn’t clean – in this book, software expert Robert C. Martin breaks down some key strategies for writing clean code and cleaning bad code.

Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science

If you’re interested in learning Python, John Zelle’s Python Programming has long been considered one of the best coding books for beginners due to its focus on the principles of computer science.

Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code

Martin Fowler’s Refactoring was written over twenty years ago, and it has withheld the test of time. It’s considered essential reading for coding neophytes and is recommended for the experts too.

The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master

If you have some basic coding skills and are looking to take things to the next level, this book from Andrew Hunt and David Thomas provides a practical, hands-on guide encompassing several key topics.

JavaScript for Kids: A Playful Introduction to Programming

It’s never too early to start coding! This fun, easy-to-understand step-by-step guide from Nick Morgan provides a simplified, child-friendly look at JavaScript programming essentials.

These are just a few of the many great coding books for beginners out there – if you have a personal favorite we’ve missed, let us know in the comments.