Top 5 Books To Improve Your Python Skills

Python is a popular and very versatile programming language. Python is used by software developers for web services, database access, DevOps, and embedded systems to name a few. Python is also used widely by data scientists for machine learning and deep learning applications. Python is a solid and growing programming language that offers software engineers multiple career paths. Here are some great Python books to help grow your software developer skills.

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#1 Introducing Python

by Bill Lubanovic

This book is a great way to begin your foundational training in Python or even programming in general. It's a fun, easy-to-read book that covers the content in multiple formats to keep you moving. With how-to content, tutorials, cookbooks, and chapter exercises to help move you forward, it's a great way to learn Python and get started with programming in general.

I recommend this book to any new programmer or software engineer new to Python.

#2 Python Crash Course

by Eric Matthes

This is one of the best-selling Python books in the world. Literally. It avoids some of the "fluff" found in other write-ups and jumps directly into the fundamentals of Python and of programming in general. If you like to get straight to the point and are a book-learning rather than a watch-a-video learner, this is a great book to get started on the fundamentals of Python.

#3 Fluent Python

by Luciano Ramalho

Python is an easy-to-learn yet powerful programming language. I equate it to chess- you can play simple games or you can become a ranked champion but you're still playing chess both ways. This book helps you understand and take advantage of all Python really has to offer. It helps you understand and use Python in ways it's meant to be used well. It takes you beyond fundamental Python concepts and into metaprogramming, object-oriented paradigms, functions as objects, data structures, and more.

This book will absolutely help you get the most out of Python, help you expand your knowledge of Python, and help you use Python the way it's meant to be used.

#4 40 Algorithms Every Programmer Should Know

by Imran Ahmad

Whereas design patterns are higher-level descriptions of how to solve a common problem, algorithms provide more defined sets of instructions for solving those problems. This book explores 40 real-world problems and their algorithmic solution in Python for software engineers. It's a great way to see some common problems and solutions, improve your Python skills, and see Python used in ways you may not have seen it used before.

As a software engineer at any level, this book will definitely improve your Python skills and expand your knowledge of what is being done with Python.

NOTE: it looks like an updated version is coming out in early 2023 :)

#5 Python for Data Analysis

by Wes McKinney

Data analysis is one of the lesser-known areas where Python really shines. Python is a great programming language for data manipulation, transformation, and processing. And there are some truly awesome Python libraries for data manipulation and data access.

If you are looking to learn more about data analysis with Python, as a software engineer or a data scientist, this book is a great way to get started.

Wrap-Up: Top Books To Improve Your Python

Python is popular, powerful, growing, and offers a lot of opportunities to software engineers who can use it effectively. The books in this list can help new programmers get started in Python. These books can also help experienced software engineers grow or expand their Python skills. Check them out and go get involved in the Python developer community.