Top 10 Python Programming Books for Beginners and Experienced Programmers— Best of Lot
Hello guys, If you are making your technical goals or leveling up your skills and need some ideas, I would suggest learning Python in 2024. Whether you are an AI expert or a Computer Science student, you will come across Python Programming language sooner or later in your career, and having a good knowledge of Python will go a long way in your career.
If you already made your goal and looking for the best resources to learn Python then like the best Python books and courses then you have come to the right place. Earlier, I have shared the best Python courses, websites, and best Python projects and in this article, I will share best books you can read to learn Python in depth.
Starting its journey in 1991, Python has now captured the Programming world. Started as just a scripting solution for trivial stuff, Python is now everywhere. Unlike Rust, Golang, and Dart, Python is not a new language but it is still considered a Modern programming language.
With its excellent libraries and frameworks, Python is driving Data Science, Web Development, Machine Learning, Server Side development, Automation, and General Programming stuff, and that’s why it makes sense to Learn Python.
Unlike some programming languages like Java or C++, which are good for server-side applications and complex programs but not suitable for simple things, because of its excellent libraries and vibrant community, you can do almost everything using Python from object-oriented programming to writing simple scripts.
Being an author of a technical blog, I often receive queries like what is the best way to learn Python? Which are the best books to learn Python 3? Which online courses should I join to learn Python, etc.?
While online courses are great to start with, and I did share some of the best Python courses before, I feel, books still have their place. They are the most comprehensive and authoritative source of knowledge for any technology, and Python is no different.
Even if you don’t know anything about Python, you can use these books to kick-start your Python career, I have specially chosen books that promote hands-on learning and are easy for beginners to follow on and a few titles for advanced Python programmers to explore further.
Once you find your feet using an online course like The Complete Python 3 Bootcamp, you can dig deeper into the massive world of Python by following these books.
Top 10 Books to Learn Python Coding in 2024
So, without wasting any more of your time, let’s start with the best books to learn Python for beginners and intermediate developers. Some of the books are even very useful for experienced Python developers and for anyone who wants to take their Python skills to the next level.
1. Automating Boring Stuff with Python
This is the first book I had read along with Head First Python when I started learning Python a couple of years back. Since then, this is my go-to book for Python. I started learning Python to automate a few things, and the title got me, but I didn’t get disappointed as the book truly lives the title.
It will straightway teach you all practical stuff like sending an email notification, reading files, appending into XLS, scrapping data on the web, and automating trivial things using Python without you spending days and night learning sorting algorithms, object-oriented programming, and all kinds of computer science stuff.
If you are someone who learns by doing real things, then this book is for you. Another great thing is that author Al Sweigart has also created an online course on Udemy with the same title “Automate the Boring Stuff with Python Programming,” so if you want to listen to him for more active learning you can also join that course along with reading this book.
2. Fluent Python: Clear, Concise, and Effective Programming, by Luciano Ramalho
This is my favorite book for advanced Python programmers, as it will help you to learn the best techniques to write better Python programs.
Applying the lessons from the book will help you to write a clearer, shorter, and faster Python code for your real-world Python Projects.
It’s like Effective Java for Python Programmers, and if you need more advice, you can combine this book with “Python Tricks: A Buffet of Awesome Python Features” by Daniel Bader, other awesome books to learn some advanced Python tips.
3. Learn Python 3 The Hard Way, by Zed A. Shaw
If you ask about a Python book for beginners, a lot of people will recommend “Learn Python The Hard Way, by Zed A. Shaw,” and this happens to me as well. As Jason pointed out in the comments, now there is a new version of this as well “Learn Python 3 The Hard Way”, which is more relevant given python 2.7 already going out and python 3 is taking over.
This was one of the books which were suggested to me by my Python buddy, but I didn’t get a chance to look because I was more hooked with the “Automating Boring Stuff with Python” and “Head First Python” book. I did read it later and learned a lot from it as it fills many gaps in my learning.
Reading books from multiple authors also helps you to grasp the concept better because some explain one topic better while others explain other topics. If you like Zed Shaw’s learning a hard way approach, then you will love this book. I also suggest combining this with this Python Programming MasterClass to get the best of both worlds.
4. Python Crash Course
The Python Crash Course: A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming, by Eric Matthes, is another awesome, hands-on book to learn Python, and it’s very much like the first book in this list.
If for some reason, you won’t be able to connect with Zed Shaw, author of the first Python book on this list, then you should try this one.
It’s a fast-paced, thorough introduction to Python that will have you writing programs, solving problems, and making things that work in no time. If you want to combine with an online course, I suggest you join the Python for Everybody course on Coursera, which is just amazing and goes nice with these books.
And, if you find Coursera courses useful, which they are because they are created by reputed companies like Google, IBM, Amazon, and the best universities around the world, I suggest you join the Coursera Plus, a subscription plan from Coursera
This single subscription gives you unlimited access to their most popular courses, specialization, professional certificate, and guided projects. It cost around $399/year but its completely worth of your money as you get unlimited certificates.
5. Head First Python: A Brain-Friendly Guide, by Paul Barry
Well, this is the book that has taught me Python. I am a big fan of the Head First series of books and having gone through most of their best-sellers like Head First Java and Head First Design Pattern, I really like the way they make learning fun.
Their unique style not only encourages you to read the book for a long time without getting bored but also pushes you to do stuff along the way.
This work and fun model also helps you to retain the knowledge. When it comes to the subject matter, the book is great for beginners but not as practical as the “Python Crash Course” or “Automating Boring Stuff with Python” book, but it still is a very good book to start learning Python.
6. Learning Python, 5th Edition
Learning Python by Mark Lutz is another good book to learn Python. It’s a must-read for curious developers, i.e., those who want to understand the “why” as well as the “how.” It provides comprehensive coverage of Python.
It covers almost everything you need to know about programming in Python: data types, operators, statements, syntax, module, functions, packages, and much more. I really like the first chapter and Q&A session about Python and why people use Python.
If you are a beginner, this can help you a lot. One of the great things about this book is that every chapter ends with a quiz, so you need to challenge yourself all the time. In short, a must-read book for a beginner to learn Python.
7. Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner, 3rd Edition
The Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner, 3rd Edition By Michael Dawson, is one more highly recommended book to learn Python for beginners.
The content is exciting in this book because of its focus on video game programming. By the time you finish the magazine, you are all ready to create your own games. Since many programmers love video games, they can easily co-related with the concepts explained in this book.
I won’t rate this as high as the first two books in the list, but if the creating game is something that inspires you and hooks you to read, then this is the right book to learn Python for you.
8. Python Tricks by Dan Bader
This is the book I recommend to every Python programmer irrespective of what he is doing with Python, like scripting, web scraping, data analysis, or web development. This book is what Effective Java is for Java developers and Effective C++ for the CPP Programmers.
If you are new to Python and you prefer an online course, I recommend you check out The Complete Python Bootcamp course by Jose Marcial Portilla on Udemy. It’s probably the best course to start learning Python in 2024 and you can combine this book with the course to become an expert Python developer in a quick time.
9. Effective Python: 90 Specific Ways to Write Better Python
“Effective Python: 90 Specific Ways to Write Better Python (Effective Software Development Series) 2nd Edition” by Brett Slatkin stands as an indispensable resource for Python developers, earning a remarkable 4.7 out of 5 stars from 407 ratings.
As part of the Effective Software Development series, this updated and expanded edition is tailored for Python 3, offering valuable insights to help developers harness the full power of Python and write robust, high-performing code.
Drawing from his extensive experience building Python infrastructure at Google, Slatkin introduces 90 Python best practices, tips, and shortcuts using a concise, scenario-driven style.
The book addresses common pitfalls and nuances of the language, guiding developers to adopt a truly “Pythonic” approach. With realistic code examples and detailed explanations, Slatkin covers key areas such as statements, expressions, built-in types, functions, comprehensions, generator functions, classes, interfaces, metaclasses, concurrency, parallelism, debugging, testing, and collaborative development.
This edition also includes 30 new actionable guidelines, reflecting the evolution of best practices in the Python ecosystem.
Whether you’re a seasoned Python developer or just starting, “Effective Python” prepares programmers to make a significant impact by mastering the languages’ nuances and best practices. You can also combine this book with Google IT Automation with Python professional certificate to learn more practical usage of Python.
10. Python for Beginners: A Crash Course Guide to Learn Python in 1 Week
The “Python for Beginners: A Crash Course Guide to Learn Python in 1 Week” by Timothy C. Needham, narrated by Zac Aleman, is another comprehensive audiobook designed to make Python programming accessible to learners of all levels.
Boasting a 4.3 out of 5 stars rating from 3,744 reviews, this audiobook provides a stress-free introduction to Python, focusing on its simplicity and power.
Timothy C. Needham guides listeners through a seven-day learning journey, emphasizing hands-on experience to solidify concepts and paradigms of programming.
The audiobook covers essential topics such as installing Python, working with Python glossary, interacting with Python, using Turtle for drawing, understanding variables, loops, native Python datatypes, dictionaries, boolean logic, conditional statements, constructing ‘while’ and ‘for’ loops, and creating classes and defining objects.
The structured approach makes it ideal for total beginners with zero programming experience, returning professionals, or seasoned individuals seeking a fast and straightforward crash course in Python.
With practical examples and clear explanations, this audiobook is a valuable resource for those eager to grasp Python fundamentals in just one week.
If you need an online course to go along with this book, I recommend you to join 100 Days of Code: The Complete Python Pro Bootcamp for 2024 course by Angela Yu. This course will teach you Python by building 100 projects in 100 days. Along the way, you will also learn data science, automation, build websites, games and apps!
11. Python Programming for Beginners: The Complete Guide to Mastering Python in 7 Days with Hands-On Exercises
“Python Programming for Beginners: The Complete Guide to Mastering Python in 7 Days with Hands-On Exercises” by Philip Robbins is a comprehensive guide designed to empower individuals with the skills needed to master Python programming swiftly.
With a noteworthy 4.3 out of 5 stars from 404 reviews and the tag of #1 Best Seller in Functional Software Programming, this book is tailored for those seeking to enhance work-life balance and explore new job opportunities in the ever-expanding field of programming.
Philip Robbins emphasizes the importance of Python, the most sought-after programming language globally, particularly in the post-pandemic age where remote and non-remote programming positions have proliferated.
The book adopts a learner-friendly approach, focusing on synthesis, simplicity, and practicality. It covers essential topics like installing Python, understanding Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles, maximizing script efficiency, and delves into advanced programming concepts like Github, pip, Virtual Environment, and Unit Testing.
With practical codes, exercises, and bonus content on Python interview questions and answers, this guide is suitable for both beginners and those with some programming experience. Whether you’ve never written a line of code or are looking to advance your programming skills,
For active learning, you can also combine this book with the “Introduction to Python” course from Datacamp which is very active and engaging. This will also help you to learn Python better and quicker.
“Python Programming for Beginners” is positioned to open doors to new, high-paying job opportunities, making it a valuable resource for anyone aspiring to land their dream job in the realm of Python programming.
That’s all about some of the best books to learn Python in 2024 and beyond. These are some of the timeless Python books and deserve a place in every serious Python programmer’s bookshelf. No matter whether you are doing Data Science with Python or creating a web application using Django or Flask, learning Python programming better will only make you a better Python developer.
If you are serious about learning Python in-depth, here are some more free and paid resources for Further Learning
- 10 Reasons to learn Python in 2024
- Top 5 Course to Learn Python for Beginners
- The 2024 Web Developer RoadMap
- Top 5 Web Development Frameworks for Python Developers
- Python vs. JavaScript — Which is better to start with?
- 10 Free Online courses to learn Python in depth
- Top 8 Python libraries for Data Science and Machine Learning
- Python vs. Java — Which Programming language Beginners should learn?
- 5 Data Science and Machine Learning course in Python
- 10 Python Courses and Certifications For Programmers
- Top 5 Python books to learn Data Science
- 10 Free Python Programming Books for Programmers
Thanks for reading this article so far. If you like these Python books, then please share this article with your friends and colleagues. If you have any questions or feedback, then please drop a note, and if you have a Python book that I should read, feel free to share it with us.
P. S. — If you prefer interactive reading and learn-by-doing rather than reading books or watching videos then you can also take a look at CodeCademy Learn Python 3 course, it’s an awesome course to learn Python by doing. It’s part of their Pro Package but worth learning.
And, if you need more choices you can check these Medium articles:
