There’s an abundance of great – and less great – online resources which can be used to facilitate this process. However, with these type of resources, you often jump from one tutorial to the other.  Each time you have to deal with a different author whose opinionated view and approach can differ from the previous author’s. This might leave you unnecessarily confused and it might prove more difficult this way to get a good overview of the subject you’re studying. This is why books still are very relevant and useful when learning new subjects related to software development. Books offer authors with – almost always – a proven track-record, a consistent view, a consistent approach and a full and in-depth coverage of the subject.

Below, you’ll find a list of both recent (and also some older) books that are very relevant to junior (java) software developers at the start of their professional career, willing to hone their skills. Happy reading!

C# / .NET Core Programming Books

Books with a high focus on the C# programming language itself or on the .NET Core platform.

C# 7.0 in a Nutshell: The Definitive Reference

A definitive guide to the C# programming language (7th Edition).

Organized around concepts and use cases, this updated edition provides intermediate and advanced programmers with a concise map of C# and .NET knowledge. Dive in and discover why this Nutshell guide is considered the definitive reference on C#… Read more on Amazon

• Author: Joseph Albahari
• ISBN-13: 978-1491987650

ASP.NET Core in Action

Helps to create a firm foundation in ASP.NET Core.

ASP.NET Core in Action is for C# developers without any web development experience who want to get started and productive fast using ASP.NET Core 2.0 to build web applications… Read more on Amazon

• Author: Andrew Lock
• ISBN-13: 978-1617294617

The Little ASP.NET Core Book

A free, online book which is structured as one large tutorial on how to build and deploy a ASP.NET Core application

You’ll learn how to build an application with the ASP.NET Core framework, the basics of the MVC (Model-View-Controller) pattern, how to read and write data to a database, how to add login, registration, and security, and how to deploy the app to the web.

• Author: Nate Barbettini

Java Programming Books

Books with a high focus on the Java programming language itself.

Effective Java: Third Edition

A great book containing a collection of best practices for (the) Java (platform). It’s focused on craftsmanship, best practices. Not syntax.

Java has changed dramatically since the previous edition of Effective Java was published shortly after the release of Java 6. This Jolt award-winning classic has now been thoroughly updated to take full advantage of the latest language and library features. The support in modern Java for multiple paradigms increases the need for specific best-practices advice, and this book delivers… Read more on Amazon

• Author: Joshua Bloch
• ISBN-13: 978-0134685991

Head First Java, 2nd Edition

A fun, visual beginners book to get a better understanding of the essential building blocks of the Java programming language (SE). Although being an older book, it’s still relevant to this day.

Learning a complex new language is no easy task especially when it’s an object-oriented computer programming language like Java. You might think the problem is your brain. It seems to have a mind of its own, a mind that doesn’t always want to take in the dry, technical stuff you’re forced to study… Read more on Amazon

• Author: Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates
• ISBN-13: 978-0596009205

Software Refactoring Books

Books with a high focus on writing good code, not just any code. Applicable to all object-oriented programming languages.

Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship

A book that shows the importance of writing readable, good code, also learning you how. Every junior software developer should read this book in combination with Refactoring.

Even bad code can function. But if code isn’t clean, it can bring a development organization to its knees. Every year, countless hours and significant resources are lost because of poorly written code. But it doesn’t have to be that way… Read more on Amazon

• Author: Robert C. Martin
• ISBN-13: 978-0132350884
• Follow-up books in the same series: The Clean Coder and Clean Architecture

Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code

Contains a collection of techniques (known as refactorings) to improve the structural integrity and performance of existing software programs. Every junior software developer should read this book in combination with Clean Code.

Significant numbers of poorly designed programs have been created by less-experienced developers, resulting in applications that are inefficient and hard to maintain and extend. Increasingly, software system professionals are discovering just how difficult it is to work with these inherited, non-optimal applications… Read more on Amazon

• Author: Martin Fowler
• ISBN-13: 978-0201485677

Software Design Books

Books with a high focus on designing and structuring flexible and maintainable code-bases.

Object-Oriented Analysis & Design

A learning (not a reference) book for beginners on how to write flexible software (not just code), focused on the Java platform. Yet again, an older book, book still highly relevant.

Tired of reading Object Oriented Analysis and Design books that only makes sense after you’re an expert? You’ve heard OOA&D can help you write great software every time-software that makes your boss happy, your customers satisfied and gives you more time to do what makes you happy. But how?… Read more on Amazon

• Author: Brett D. McLaughlin and Gary Pollice
• ISBN-13: 978-0596008673

Head First Design Patterns (Java 8 edition)

Using a highly visual approach, this book teaches developers how to create functional, elegant, reusable, and flexible software. This book is similar to the Design Patterns book of the Gang of Four, but has an easier entry-level.

At any given moment, someone struggles with the same software design problems you have. And, chances are, someone else has already solved your problem. This edition of Head First Design Patterns—now updated for Java 8—shows you tried-and-true, road-tested patterns… Read more on Amazon

• Author: Eric Freeman and Elisabeth Robson
• ISBN-13: 978-0596007126

Domain-Driven Design Distilled

Domain-Driven Design (DDD) software modeling delivers powerful results in practice, which is why developers worldwide adopt it. DDD places the software project’s primary focus on the core domain and the domain logic. This book offers a brief introductory into DDD, focused on non-technical readers. Can be used as a pre-read for the Implementing Domain-Driven Design book.

The book guides you through each core DDD technique for building better software. You’ll learn how to segregate domain models using the powerful Bounded Contexts pattern, to develop a Ubiquitous Language within an explicitly bounded context, and to help domain experts and developers work together to create that language. Whether you’re a developer, architect, analyst, consultant, or customer, this book helps you truly understand it so you can benefit from its remarkable power… Read more on Amazon

• Author: Vaughn Vernon
• ISBN-13: 978-0134434421

Implementing Domain-Driven Design

Domain-Driven Design (DDD) software modeling delivers powerful results in practice, which is why developers worldwide adopt it. DDD places the software project’s primary focus on the core domain and the domain logic. This book focuses on developers and should be read after reading Domain-Driven Design Distilled.

Implementing Domain-Driven Design presents a top-down approach to understanding domain-driven design (DDD) in a way that fluently connects strategic patterns to fundamental tactical programming tools. Vaughn Vernon couples guided approaches to implementation with modern architectures, highlighting the importance and value of focusing on the business domain while balancing technical considerations. Read more on Amazon

• Author: Vaughn Vernon
• ISBN-13: 978-0321834577
• Possible alternative: Patterns, Principles, and Practices of Domain-Driven Design

Soft Skills For Developers Books

Books with a high focus on essential soft skills of a software developer. A modern developer is so much more than a code-monkey, hence it’s important to know how to not act like one.

Practices of an Agile Developer: Working in the Real World

A very relevant book for developers working – or starting to work – in an agile team.

These are the proven, effective agile practices that will make you a better developer. You’ll learn pragmatic ways of approaching the development process and your personal coding techniques. You’ll learn about your own attitudes, issues with working on a team, and how to best manage your learning, all in an iterative, incremental, agile style… Read more on Amazon

• Author: Venkat Subramaniam
• ISBN-13: 978-0974514086

Soft Skills: The software developer’s life manual

Although the author can have a very lone-wolf / survival-of-the-fittest view on certain subjects – which I don’t share – this book was at the very least an interesting read.

Soft Skills: The software developer’s life manual is a unique guide, offering techniques and practices for a more satisfying life as a professional software developer. In it, developer and life coach John Sonmez addresses a wide range of important “soft” topics, from career and productivity to personal finance and investing, and even fitness and relationships, all from a developer-centric viewpoint… Read more on Amazon

• Author: John Sonmez
• ISBN-13: 978-1617292392

There’s an abundance of great – and less great – online resources which can be used to facilitate this process. However, with these type of resources, you often jump from one tutorial to the other.  Each time you have to deal with a different author whose opinionated view and approach can differ from the previous author’s. This might leave you unnecessarily confused and it might prove more difficult this way to get a good overview of the subject you’re studying. This is why books still are very relevant and useful when learning new subjects related to software development. Books offer authors with – almost always – a proven track-record, a consistent view, a consistent approach and a full and in-depth coverage of the subject.

Below, you’ll find a list of both recent (and also some older) books that are very relevant to junior (java) software developers at the start of their professional career, willing to hone their skills. Happy reading!

Java Programming Books

Books with a high focus on the Java programming language itself.

[su_box title=”Effective Java: Third Edition” box_color=”#72a71f”]

A great book containing a collection of best practices for (the) Java (platform). It’s focused on craftsmanship, best practices. Not syntax.

Java has changed dramatically since the previous edition of Effective Java was published shortly after the release of Java 6. This Jolt award-winning classic has now been thoroughly updated to take full advantage of the latest language and library features. The support in modern Java for multiple paradigms increases the need for specific best-practices advice, and this book delivers… Read more on Amazon

• Author: Joshua Bloch
• ISBN-13: 978-0134685991

[/su_box]

[su_box title=”Head First Java, 2nd Edition” box_color=”#72a71f”]

A fun, visual beginners book to get a better understanding of the essential building blocks of the Java programming language (SE). Although being an older book, it’s still relevant to this day. 

Learning a complex new language is no easy task especially when it’s an object-oriented computer programming language like Java. You might think the problem is your brain. It seems to have a mind of its own, a mind that doesn’t always want to take in the dry, technical stuff you’re forced to study… Read more on Amazon

• Author: Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates
• ISBN-13: 978-0596009205

[/su_box]

Software Refactoring Books

Books with a high focus on writing good code, not just any code. Applicable to all object-oriented programming languages.

[su_box title=”Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship” box_color=”#72a71f”]

A book that shows the importance of writing readable, good code, also learning you how. Every junior software developer should read this book in combination with Refactoring.

Even bad code can function. But if code isn’t clean, it can bring a development organization to its knees. Every year, countless hours and significant resources are lost because of poorly written code. But it doesn’t have to be that way… Read more on Amazon

• Author: Robert C. Martin
• ISBN-13: 978-0132350884
• Follow-up books in the same series: The Clean Coder and Clean Architecture

[/su_box]

[su_box title=”Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code” box_color=”#72a71f”]

Contains a collection of techniques (known as refactorings) to improve the structural integrity and performance of existing software programs. Every junior software developer should read this book in combination with Clean Code.

Significant numbers of poorly designed programs have been created by less-experienced developers, resulting in applications that are inefficient and hard to maintain and extend. Increasingly, software system professionals are discovering just how difficult it is to work with these inherited, non-optimal applications… Read more on Amazon

• Author: Martin Fowler
• ISBN-13: 978-0201485677

[/su_box]

Software Design Books

Books with a high focus on designing and structuring flexible and maintainable code-bases.

[su_box title=”Object-Oriented Analysis & Design” box_color=”#72a71f”]

A learning (not a reference) book for beginners on how to write flexible software (not just code), focused on the Java platform. Yet again, an older book, book still highly relevant.

Tired of reading Object Oriented Analysis and Design books that only makes sense after you’re an expert? You’ve heard OOA&D can help you write great software every time-software that makes your boss happy, your customers satisfied and gives you more time to do what makes you happy. But how?… Read more on Amazon

• Author: Brett D. McLaughlin and Gary Pollice
• ISBN-13: 978-0596008673

[/su_box]

[su_box title=”Head First Design Patterns (Java 8 edition)” box_color=”#72a71f”]

Using a highly visual approach, this book teaches developers how to create functional, elegant, reusable, and flexible software. This book is similar to the Design Patterns book of the Gang of Four, but has an easier entry-level.

At any given moment, someone struggles with the same software design problems you have. And, chances are, someone else has already solved your problem. This edition of Head First Design Patterns—now updated for Java 8—shows you tried-and-true, road-tested patterns… Read more on Amazon

• Author: Eric Freeman and Elisabeth Robson
• ISBN-13: 978-0596007126

[/su_box]

[su_box title=”Domain-Driven Design Distilled” box_color=”#72a71f”]

Domain-Driven Design (DDD) software modeling delivers powerful results in practice, which is why developers worldwide adopt it. DDD places the software project’s primary focus on the core domain and the domain logic. This book offers a brief introductory into DDD, focused on non-technical readers. Can be used as a pre-read for the Implementing Domain-Driven Design book.

The book guides you through each core DDD technique for building better software. You’ll learn how to segregate domain models using the powerful Bounded Contexts pattern, to develop a Ubiquitous Language within an explicitly bounded context, and to help domain experts and developers work together to create that language. Whether you’re a developer, architect, analyst, consultant, or customer, this book helps you truly understand it so you can benefit from its remarkable power… Read more on Amazon

• Author: Vaughn Vernon
• ISBN-13: 978-0134434421

[/su_box]

[su_box title=”Implementing Domain-Driven Design” box_color=”#72a71f”]

Domain-Driven Design (DDD) software modeling delivers powerful results in practice, which is why developers worldwide adopt it. DDD places the software project’s primary focus on the core domain and the domain logic. This book focuses on developers and should be read after reading Domain-Driven Design Distilled. 

Implementing Domain-Driven Design presents a top-down approach to understanding domain-driven design (DDD) in a way that fluently connects strategic patterns to fundamental tactical programming tools. Vaughn Vernon couples guided approaches to implementation with modern architectures, highlighting the importance and value of focusing on the business domain while balancing technical considerations. Read more on Amazon

• Author: Vaughn Vernon
• ISBN-13: 978-0321834577
• Possible alternative: Patterns, Principles, and Practices of Domain-Driven Design

[/su_box]

Soft Skills For Developers Books

Books with a high focus on essential soft skills of a software developer. A modern developer is so much more than a code-monkey, hence it’s important to know how to not act like one.

[su_box title=”Practices of an Agile Developer: Working in the Real World” box_color=”#72a71f”]

A very relevant book for developers working – or starting to work – in an agile team.

These are the proven, effective agile practices that will make you a better developer. You’ll learn pragmatic ways of approaching the development process and your personal coding techniques. You’ll learn about your own attitudes, issues with working on a team, and how to best manage your learning, all in an iterative, incremental, agile style… Read more on Amazon

• Author: Venkat Subramaniam
• ISBN-13: 978-0974514086

[/su_box]

[su_box title=”Soft Skills: The software developer’s life manual” box_color=”#72a71f”]

Although the author can have a very lone-wolf / survival-of-the-fittest view on certain subjects – which I don’t share – this book was at the very least an interesting read. 

Soft Skills: The software developer’s life manual is a unique guide, offering techniques and practices for a more satisfying life as a professional software developer. In it, developer and life coach John Sonmez addresses a wide range of important “soft” topics, from career and productivity to personal finance and investing, and even fitness and relationships, all from a developer-centric viewpoint… Read more on Amazon

• Author: John Sonmez
• ISBN-13: 978-1617292392

[/su_box]