Discover the top 20 Python books for both beginners and experienced coders, covering essential topics from foundations to advanced applications. This list of the 20 best Python books covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of Python syntax to advanced topics like machine learning and web development.
As the number 3 language among developers, Python is a go-to language for beginners and experienced pros in data science, web development, and more. Choosing one of the best python books is a great way to master the versatile Python programming language.
So if you’re ready, let’s take a look at the best python books to help you boost your skills and get you ready to enter the Python job market.
Featured Python Books [Editor’s Picks] | ||
Author: Mark Lutz Publisher: O'Reilly Media Edition: 5th Pages: 1,643 Formats: Paperback & Kindle | Check Price | |
Author: Paul Barry Publisher: O'Reilly Media Edition: 2nd Pages: 622 Formats: Paperback & Kindle |
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Author: David Beazley Publisher: Pearson Edition: 1st Pages: 352 Formats: Paperback & Kindle | Check Price | |
Python 3: The Comprehensive Guide to Hands-On Python Programming (1st Edition) | Author: Johannes Ernesti & Peter Kaiser Publisher: Rheinwerk Computing Edition: 1st Pages: 1,078 Formats: Paperback & Kindle | Check Price |
Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language that’s become increasingly popular recently. Its simple and intuitive syntax is one of the major factors here, as it makes it easy to learn and understand, meaning it’s an excellent language for beginners. This also makes preparing for Python interview questions easier when applying for developer jobs.
Python is also versatile, meaning it can be used for various applications, including data science, machine learning, web development, scientific computing, and more. You can even choose from various popular Python IDEs and code editors, including favorites like Visual Studio Code and PyCharm.
And that’s not to mention the vast and supportive community of Python developers who are constantly creating useful libraries, modules, and Python frameworks to help you solve programming problems. This also makes it easy to find help and support when you need it.
Choosing the best books to learn Python can be tricky, especially if you’re a beginner. Here are some tips to help you choose the right Python book.
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Author: Eric Matthes | Publisher: No Starch Press |
Pages: 552 | Edition: 3rd |
Publish Date: January 2023 | Level: Beginner |
Rating: 4.7/5 | Formats: Paperback & Kindle |
Why we chose this book
If you’re looking for the best books for Python programming, this is an ideal starting point. As one of the very Python books for beginners, it has clear explanations, comprehensive coverage of fundamental concepts, and practical exercises to reinforce your learning.
The book covers important topics like Python data types, data structures, control flow, functions, modules, testing, and more. Making it perfect if you want to learn Python to create real-world applications.
The latest edition has also been updated to cover the latest developments in Python programming, including the pathlib module for file handling, pytest for testing, and the newest features of Matplotlib, Plotly, and Django frameworks. There is even a section on how to use VS Code.
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Author: Al Sweigart | Publisher: No Starch Press |
Pages: 592 | Edition: 2nd |
Publish Date: November 2019 | Level: Beginner |
Rating: 4.7/5 | Formats: eTextbook, Paperback & Spiral-bound |
Why we chose this book
This Python book focuses on using the Python programming language to automate everyday tasks, making it an excellent choice for those who want to apply their Python knowledge to practical scenarios.
The book covers topics like manipulating files, working with spreadsheets, scraping data from websites, and controlling I/O devices like the keyboard and mouse. It also includes several fun projects to send automated emails, generate custom Excel documents, and build a web scraper.
In addition to its practical focus, the book is also beginner-friendly, with clear explanations and easy-to-follow examples. Looking for an interactive way to learn these same concepts?
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Author: Mark Lutz | Publisher: O'Reilly Media |
Pages: 1643 | Edition: 5th |
Publish Date: July 2013 | Level: Beginner |
Rating: 4.5/5 | Formats: Paperback & Kindle |
Why we chose this book
This is a comprehensive guide to the Python programming language as it covers all the fundamental concepts and features of Python clearly and concisely, making it an excellent choice for beginner and experienced programmers.
The book covers topics like Python data types, control flow, functions, modules, and classes, as well as more advanced concepts like networking, concurrency, and database access. The latest edition has also been updated to include extra features of Python 3, including type hints, data classes, asyncio, and more.
The author is a well-respected Python expert with an engaging style that’s easy to understand. He also provides plenty of examples and exercises throughout the book to help you reinforce your learning.
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Author: Paul Barry | Publisher: O'Reilly Media |
Pages: 622 | Edition: 2nd |
Publish Date: December 2016 | Level: Beginner |
Rating: 4.6/5 | Formats: Paperback & Kindle |
Why we chose this book
We chose this book for its unique and visually engaging approach to teaching Python, making it an ideal choice for beginners who want to grasp the fundamentals of Python quickly and effectively.
The book covers various Python topics, including data types, functions, modules, object-oriented programming, and more. It also includes exercises and quizzes at the end of each chapter to test your understanding of the material. This is an excellent choice for those who prefer a more interactive and engaging way of learning Python.
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Author: Bill Lubanovic | Publisher: O'Reilly Media |
Pages: 630 | Edition: 2nd |
Publish Date: December 2019 | Level: Beginner |
Rating: 4.7/5 | Formats: Paperback & Kindle |
Why we chose this book
This Python book is a great choice for beginners who are new to programming and want to learn Python. The book's mix of tutorials and code recipes makes it easy to understand, and the end-of-chapter exercises provide opportunities to practice what you've learned.
The book also covers important topics like file I/O, regular expressions, and debugging. Plus, it includes Python best practices for testing, code reuse, and more, making it a well-rounded resource for anyone looking to build a strong foundation in the language.
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Author: Codeone Publishing | Publisher: Independently published |
Pages: 122 | Edition: 1st |
Publish Date: October 2022 | Level: Beginner |
Rating: 4.7/5 | Formats: Paperback & Kindle |
Why we chose this book
This is an excellent resource if you’re looking for a quick Python crash course, as it uses a clear and concise approach that makes it easy for beginners to grasp complex programming concepts very fast.
This book covers a wide range of basic Python topics for beginners, including essentials like conditional statements, iteration, string manipulation, and more. With a carefully curated selection of topics, it’s designed to be a fast and efficient way to build a solid foundation in Python.
This book also uses practice exercises and examples to help you reinforce your understanding of the material. It also uses real-world scenarios to help you apply what you've learned.
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Author: Dan Bader, David Amos, Joanna Jablonski, Fletcher Heisler | Publisher: Real Python |
Pages: 635 | Edition: 1st |
Publish Date: March 2021 | Level: Beginner |
Rating: 4.6/5 | Formats: Paperback & Kindle |
Why we chose this book
This is an excellent book for beginners that want to learn Python, as it provides a hands-on approach to learning Python. It covers essential Python concepts, including variables, data types, functions, control flow, and file handling. This is all done in a practical way with a focus on solving real-world problems.
This book also goes beyond Python programming basics by covering essential topics for all developers, including debugging, testing, and version control. It also covers advanced topics like object-oriented programming and web development with Flask.
This Python book is great for anyone that appreciates clear and concise explanations, practical exercises, and interactive quizzes that make learning Python fun and engaging.
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Author: Philip Robbins | Publisher: Independently published |
Pages: 114 | Edition: 1st |
Publish Date: February 2023 | Level: Beginner |
Rating: 4.9/5 | Formats: Paperback & Kindle |
Why we chose this book
This Python book offers a practical and easy-to-follow approach for newcomers to Python programming, as each concept is broken down into simple steps to help you learn many topics in the shortest possible time.
Topics include Python variables and data types, advanced data structures, object-oriented programming, and many more. That’s impressive at a little over 100 pages. This Python book also provides solutions for all examples, allowing you to test them on your computer.
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Author: Jamie Chan | Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform |
Pages: 174 | Edition: 2nd |
Publish Date: May 2017 | Level: Beginner |
Rating: 4.5/5 | Formats: Paperback & Kindle |
Why we chose this book
This Python book offers a hands-on approach to learning, with step-by-step instructions and practical examples to help you retain the material.
As a relatively short read, this book covers Python programming basics, including variables, data types, user inputs, iteration, errors, functions and modules, and OOP. Making this a concise guide to gaining a solid foundation in the core Python language.
A standout feature is an emphasis on real-world applications, as the author has included the most useful Python concepts and techniques relevant to data, web development, and machine learning.
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Author: Allen Downey | Publisher: O'Reilly Media |
Pages: 289 | Edition: 2nd |
Publish Date: January 2016 | Level: Beginner |
Rating: 4.7/5 | Formats: Paperback & Kindle |
Why we chose this book
This Python book offers clear and concise explanations of fundamental concepts, including data types, control structures, functions, and object-oriented programming. It also covers newer features like f-strings and type annotations, and the author favors an interactive approach with examples and exercises.
There’s also an emphasis on real-world examples for scientific applications, along with advanced topics like algorithms, data structures, and testing, making it ideal if you’re interested in research, data analysis, or Python data models.
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Author: Timothy C. Needham | Publisher: Independently published |
Pages: 135 | Edition: 1st |
Publish Date: September 2017 | Level: Beginner |
Rating: 4.3/5 | Formats: Kindle, Audiobook, Hardcover, Paperback |
Why we chose this book
This Python book is written in a clear and concise style, making it easy to follow and understand if you have zero programming experience. In fact, this comprehensive guide aims to teach you Python programming in just 7 days.
It’s a short read, but expect to cover data types, variables, operators, control flow, functions, and modules. It also includes practical examples and exercises to help you solidify your understanding of each topic.
You’ll also touch on advanced topics like object-oriented programming, file I/O, and regular expressions, not to mention the section on best practices for Python development.
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Author: Mark Reed | Publisher: Independently published |
Pages: 201 | Edition: 1st |
Publish Date: July 2022 | Level: Beginner |
Rating: 4.6/5 | Formats: Paperback & Kindle |
Why we chose this book
This Python book is a practical step-by-step guide for beginners to learn Python quickly that’s actually a bundle of two books.
With book one, you’ll cover topics like data structures, basic game development, object-oriented programming, and more. After you’ve learned those Python essentials, book two covers algorithms, information processing, network, and other more advanced topics.
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Author: Zed Shaw | Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional |
Pages: 320 | Edition: 1st |
Publish Date: June 2017 | Level: Beginners |
Rating: 4.4/5 | Formats: Paperback & Kindle |
Why we chose this book
This is an excellent book for anyone that’s serious about learning Python, as it uses a teaching approach that involves writing code over and over again. After all, the clue is in the name here, as it wants you to learn the hard way! Although it’s not really hard, it’s just designed to prevent you from taking shortcuts at the start of your learning journey.
With this Python book, you’ll cover all the bases with sections on variables, data types, functions, and advanced topics like object-oriented programming and file handling.
While this book is designed to be challenging, the step-by-step instructions make it easy to follow along, even for beginners.
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Author: Luciano Ramalho | Publisher: O'Reilly Media |
Pages: 1012 | Edition: 2nd |
Publish Date: May 2022 | Level: Advanced |
Rating: 4.7/5 | Formats: Paperback & Kindle |
Why we chose this book
If you’re looking for the best Python book for programmers, this comprehensive guide provides in-depth coverage of advanced topics, including data structures, algorithms, concurrency, metaprogramming, and more.
If you’re looking to learn the nitty gritty of data structures in Python, this book covers a diverse range, including stacks, queues, deques, priority queues, heaps, and trees. You’ll also learn about graph algorithms, sorting algorithms, and caching, and there’s even a section on dynamic programming.
With a focus on idiomatic Python code, this book is ideal if you want to improve your Python skills and learn best practices for writing efficient, elegant, and maintainable code.
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Author: Brett Slatkin | Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional |
Pages: 480 | Edition: 2nd |
Publish Date: November 2019 | Level: Advanced |
Rating: 4.7/5 | Formats: Paperback & Kindle |
Why we chose this book
This is an essential read for Python developers that want to improve their code quality and efficiency, as it offers 90 concise and practical tips and real-world examples to help you write better code.
Some of the highlights include tips on making the most of the Python standard library, memory management, writing clean and readable code, and leveraging Python's unique features. It also covers essential data structures from the collections module, algorithms, string and list slicing, concurrency, and metaclasses.
It even dives into type annotations and asynchronous programming, meaning that this Python book has a wealth of valuable insights and techniques for experienced developers to take their skills to the next level.
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Author: David Beazley | Publisher: Pearson |
Pages: 352 | Edition: 1st |
Publish Date: September 2021 | Level: Advanced |
Rating: 4.6/5 | Formats: Paperback & Kindle |
Why we chose this book
This is one of the very best Python programming books that also happens to be the updated version of the highly popular Python Cookbook.
At nearly 350 pages, it’s not a short book, but it’s also not a long one, resulting in a concise and practical approach to covering essential features by way of examples that you can use to create Python programs that are easy to explain, test, and debug.
You’ll also cover fundamental topics that form the foundation for any Python project, including data abstraction, control flow, program structure, functions, objects, modules, generators, classes, and I/O handling.
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Author: Johannes Ernesti & Peter Kaiser | Publisher: Rheinwerk Computing |
Pages: 1078 | Edition: 1st |
Publish Date: September 2022 | Level: Advanced |
Rating: 4.5/5 | Formats: Paperback & Kindle |
Why we chose this book
This Python book proudly earned a new award. It's the 2023 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award Gold Winner: Professional and Technical Category. Expect to use it to learn basic and advanced topics, including functions, methods, data types, working with GUIs, network programming, and optimization. With a range of code examples and the option for downloadable source code, you can develop and test your own Python programs when following along.
You’ll also dive into the Python standard library, with numerous examples illustrating how to use it for various tasks, including math functions and debugging. In a nutshell, this guide is an essential reference for beginner and advanced Python developers.
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Author: Micha Gorelick | Publisher: O'Reilly Media |
Pages: 466 | Edition: 2nd |
Publish Date: June 2020 | Level: Advanced |
Rating: 4.7/5 | Formats: Paperback & Kindle |
Why we chose this book
This is an excellent guide for intermediate and advanced Python programmers who want to optimize their code for better performance.
This book covers a range of topics, including profiling and optimization techniques, parallelization, and memory management. You'll learn to speed up your code and write more efficient Python code for data science, machine learning, and other computational tasks.
The book also explores the fundamental theory behind design choices, giving you a deeper understanding of Python's implementation.
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Author: Caleb Hattingh | Publisher: O'Reilly Media |
Pages: 163 | Edition: 1st |
Publish Date: March 2020 | Level: Advanced |
Rating: 4.3/5 | Formats: Paperback & Kindle |
Why we chose this book
This is a short and comprehensive Python coding book for developers that want to write asynchronous programs using asyncio. You’ll start with an overview of asynchronous problems before getting stuck into event-based programming, async/await syntax, coroutines and tasks, and APIs.
This book also provides detailed case studies and example code to help you use popular third-party Python libraries with asyncio. This is particularly useful for developers that want to use asyncio in real-world projects.
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Author: Maurice J. Thompson | Publisher: Independently published |
Pages: 375 | Edition: 1st |
Publish Date: April 2018 | Level: Beginner to Advanced |
Rating: 4.3/5 | Formats: Kindle, Audiobook & Paperback |
Why we chose this book
This is an all-in-one package that includes three books to teach Python programming to beginners, intermediates, and advanced users. Moreover, each book is designed to be completed in 7 days, making it ideal for learning Python quickly.
The first book includes hands-on exercises to guide you through writing your first Python programs and introduces topics like variables, strings, collection types, and user-defined functions. The second book delves deeper by covering advanced topics like shallow and deep copies, recursion, debugging, namespaces, and modules.
Finally, the third book is designed for experienced programmers and covers file management, iterators, generators, regular expressions, closures, and properties. It also includes simple recap projects to cement your understanding of the material.
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And there you are, the 20 best python books, including a range of python books for beginners and experienced coders.
Whether you’re just starting out in your programming career or you want to level up your existing skills, we’ve included a range of python books to help you achieve your goals in your programming career.
Happy reading!
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