20 Best Python Books for Beginners & Experts [Updated 2021]

20 Best Python Books for Beginners & Experts [Updated 2021]
20 Best Python Books for Beginners & Experts [Updated 2021]

Programming can sometimes be intimidating and sometimes even advanced learners can find themselves overwhelmed. This article highlights the best python programming books for beginners as well as advanced programmers for a quick doubt-resolution.

Programming can sometimes be intimidating and sometimes even advanced learners can find themselves overwhelmed. This article highlights the python programming books for beginners as well as advanced programmers for a quick doubt-resolution.

Best Python Books for Beginners

If you are new to Python programming, we’ve curated the right list for you. The books in this list are informative, guided tutorials that aim at making your path in programming easier.


1. Python Crash Course

MRP: Rs. 2,700 (Offer Price:Rs.1,200) [may vary]

Author: Eric Matthes
Publisher: No Starch Press
Latest edition: 2nd Edition
Online ratings: 4.7/5
Your rating: 4.8/5

If you’re a complete newbie to not just Python but also programming, this is the book for you. The do-it-yourself exercises in the book serve as a milestone in the reader’s journey into programming. With every successful mini project at the end of a concept, students claim to be encouraged and to have completely understood its meaning before moving on to the next one, without feeling overwhelmed.

What’s more, the author, Eric Matthes, keeps his Github repo updated with content changes and code corrections, and readers vouch for his responsiveness and helpfulness. You can purchase the book here.

2. Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, 2nd Edition: Practical Programming for Total Beginners

MRP: Rs. 1,490

Author: Al Sweigart
Publisher: No Starch Press
Latest edition: 2st Edition
Online ratings: 4.7/5
Your rating: 4.8/5

It is always a daunting task for beginners to get started with real things. This book is exactly what makes you break through the redundant and boring theory part of programming. It makes you learn stuff by directly getting your hands dirty with a building. It is a really powerful language. This book breaks the stereotype that you need to know the basics before getting started to make real things. It is really for the readers who prefer application-based learning rather than going stepwise through theory.

3. Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python, 4e

MRP: Rs. 1,999

Author: Al Sweigart
Publisher: No Starch Press
Latest edition: 4st Edition
Online ratings: 4.6/5
Your rating: 4.7/5

Another great masterpiece by Al Sweigart, Invent your own computer games with it. Do you wish to get started and learn to build games such as Guess the number, Hangman, Tic Tac Toe and Reversi?? If yes, then this is the book for you. Programming and coding might seem nerdy and boring for some but it is really fun when you are able to build things that you generally tend to be the use. It uses the PyGame framework to build 2D graphics games using it.

4. Head-First Python (2nd edition)

MRP: Rs. 3,449 (Offer Price: Rs.3,217)[may vary]

Author: Paul Barry
Publisher: O Reilly’
Latest edition: 2nd Edition
Online ratings: 4.4/5
Your rating: 4.5/5

Considered a must-have by those who are beginning to study Python programming as well as those who already have coding jobs. This book carries intuitive descriptions and concepts that are easy to follow. Not only is it fun to read, but it also gives a detailed explanation of why things work the way they do.

Right from the start, the book has you hooked on to coding, thereby ensuring that your mind remains engaged and you can track your progress from one chapter to the next. You can purchase the book here.

5. Learn Python the Hard Way (3rd Edition)

MRP: Rs. 2,819 (Offer Price: Rs. 2,250)[may vary]

Author: Zed A. Shaw
Publisher: Addison Wesley
Latest edition: Zed Shaw’s Hard way series
Online ratings: 4.4/5
Your rating: 4.5/5

Popular among Python programmers, this book really takes the reader through the difficult journey of understanding how computers and code work. The author, Zed A. Shaw, aims at going right to the bottom and working his way up one step at a time, thereby creating a classroom-type environment for those who are new to the language.

Someone who knows a bit of the basic well might find the first few chapters a waste of time, but readers are encouraged to start from scratch and watch their progress chapter by chapter. You can purchase the book here.

6. Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science (3rd Edition)

MRP: Rs. 5,041

Author: John Zelle
Publisher: Franklin Beedle
Latest edition: 3rd Edition
Online ratings: 4.5/5
Your rating: 4.4/5

This Python textbook is a favourite with professors of computer science. The book aims at teaching students the basic skills of instructing a computer to solve problems by using this language. The author takes the reader on a gentle journey of programming, without even a slight hint of intimidation.

Even if you are not a programmer but are curious about how computers work and what is it exactly that programmers do, you must definitely give this a read. In all, this isn’t the best beginner book for Python programming, but a good option for those who want to learn programming through the medium of the language. You can purchase the book here.

7. Learning with Python: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist (100)

MRP: Rs. 4,474

Author: Allen Downey, Jeffery Eikner & Chris Meyers
Online ratings: 4.3/5
Your rating: 4.2/5

Another crowd-pleaser, this online guide opens intending to teach the reader exactly how to think like a computer scientist by using a combination of mathematics, natural science and engineering.

It focuses on the singular skill of every computer scientist which is: how to solve a problem. It beautifully teaches how to programme and how to use programming skills “as a means to an end”.

The book comes with a bundle of coding exercises and covers a great deal of Python concepts; in all, an excellent choice for beginners who are curious about programming in general. You can purchase the book here.

8. A Byte of Python

MRP: Rs. 73

Author: Swaroop C H
Online ratings: 4.6/5
Your rating: 4.6/5

Another gem in the crowd of free Python training books, this one serves as a tutorial for those who are looking to begin their programming journey. This book has been responsible for launching many careers in programming. This book was written for the sole purpose of educating the masses in a language that is not only simple but highly powerful.

The author, Swaroop, aims at helping the readers learn how to get stuff done quickly and painlessly. A fun little tidbit: the book was even used by NASA with their Deep Space Network project. You can purchase the book here.

Best Python Books for Advanced Programmers

Once you’ve had your basics down pat, the following list will help you gain an advanced understanding of Python programming. While this is not an exhaustive list, it does contain some of the best candidates for advanced training.

9. Introduction to Machine Learning with Python: A Guide for Data Scientists

MRP: Rs. 1,200

Author: Andreas C. Muller & Sarah Guido
Publisher: O’Reilly
Latest edition: 1st Edition
Online ratings: 4.4/5
Your rating: 4.5/5

Useful for those who are starting out in Machine Learning as well as for experienced programmers who need it for reference. The book has been quoted to be well-written, organised, easy for a beginner and thorough for advanced practitioners.

The book comes complete with instructions to set up a development environment and codes to run. Even professors of Machine Learning find the examples in this book very useful. It explains the fundamental concepts, the advanced methods and the practical aspects of using Machine-Learning algorithms.

Published by O’Reilly Media, this book aims at teaching the required steps to create successful algorithms.  You can purchase the book here.

10. Fluent Python: Clear, Concise and Effective Programming

MRP: Rs. 3,427

Author: Luciano Ramalho
Publisher: O’Reilly
Online ratings: 4.7/5
Your rating: 4.8/5

Like the title suggests, the book really aims at helping programmers to attain fluency in Python. Readers often claim this to be a must-have for everyone who enjoys programming and wants to learn the finer nuances and other built-in features that are specific to the language.

With excellent material for best practices and implementation details, this book is also great for those who have come from different language backgrounds. Even with very little experience in programming, readers find that the author communicates the concepts in detail.

Not for beginners but a definite read for senior programmers looking to advance their coding skills. You can purchase the book here.

11. Python Cookbook: Recipes for Mastering Python 3

MRP: Rs. 1,600

Author: David Beazley & Brain K. Jones
Publisher: O’Reilly
Latest edition: 3rd Edition
Online ratings: 4.5/5
Your rating: 4.5/5

One of the very popular choices of Python enthusiasts, this cookbook comes with examples that range from basic to advanced metaprogramming, concurrency, C extensions and more. Bundled with all the exciting techniques and crafty solutions, this book serves as excellent reference material for those who regularly programme.

Published by O’Reilly Media, authors Brian K. Jones and David Beazley documented this book with the sole purpose of helping beginners to take the leap forward into advanced Python programming. You can purchase the book here.

12. Programming Python: Powerful Object-Oriented Programming

MRP: Rs. 2,100

Author: Mark Lutz
Publisher: O’Reilly
Latest edition: 3rd Edition
Online ratings: 3.7/5
Your rating: 4/5

Another excellent option for those who have a sound beginner’s understanding of Python, this book, also published by O’Reilly Media, is an absolute necessity for those who want to continue learning and remain abreast with the technology.

Most readers who’ve read it claim that should be the absolute next book as it covers all the giant topics comprehensively and in complete detail. The only drawback of the book mentioned by most is that it’s extremely verbose and that at least 2/3rd of the book could be easily done away with, thereby making it great for purely reference purposes. You can purchase the book here.

13. Test-Driven Development with Python 2e: Obey the Testing Goat: Using Django, Selenium and, JavaScript

MRP: Rs. 4,249

Author: Harry J.w Percival
Publisher: O’Reilly
Latest edition: 2nd Edition
Online ratings: 4.6/5
Your rating: 4.7/5

Python is a versatile language. It can be used for various purposes and one of them is web application development. If you are looking to dive deeper into web application development using python, then this is the book for you. It is a hands-on guide to learn the test-driven development (TDD) approach. You also get to learn the Basics of Django, Selenium, Git, jQuery and Mock, along with current web development techniques. Go ahead and level up your web application development skills.

Free Python Books

For those who are curious about programming in Python and want to take it out for a spin, without investing too much time or money, the following books should be good enough to get you started. Both of these books are free guides that aim to tell the masses how programming in Python can be fun and simple.

14. 20 Python Libraries You aren’t Using (But Should) [Intermediate]

Author: Caleb Hattingh
Publisher: O’Reilly
Latest edition: 2nd Edition
Online ratings: 4.6/5
Your rating: 4.7/5
Link: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/20-python-libraries/9781492037866/

This book becomes really interesting for the intermediate Python developers who are used to use regular libraries such as NumPy, request, os and scipy. The title itself says it all. It is important to be updated about the latest developments. The collection is curated diligently by Caleb Hattingh.

He has made sure that the libraries are: easy to install and use, cross-platform, applicable to more than one domain and not yet popular but likely to become so soon. These are some of the cool libraries and I hope it becomes an exploratory fun journey for you to learn them.

15. Learn Python in one day and LEARN IT WELL [Beginner]

Author: Jamie Chan

Link: https://www.pdfdrive.com/learn-python-in-one-day-and-learn-it-well-python-for-beginners-with-hands-on-project-the-only-book-you-need-to-start-coding-in-python-immediately-e183833259.html

This book has a whole different approach to making learning python an experience for beginners. The philosophy of this book is learning to do python by doing. The book is aligned to fit the requirements of beginners in programming.

Complex concepts are taught in simpler forms and parts. The book has sufficient examples to make your learning crystal clear. At the end of the book, there are complete projects which will push you to apply all the concepts that you learned on your way. A good book and you must try it if you just getting started.

If you wish to buy the book, here.

16. Python Pocket Reference: Python in Your Pocket

MRP: Rs. 1,166

Author: Mark Lutz
Published by: O’Reilly Media, Inc.
Latest Edition: Fifth
Amazon Ratings: 4.5/5

It is a quick pocket guide to python programming for beginners. This book gives brief “you must know” information on Python and its building blocks including inbuilt functions, exceptions, names of a few special methods, types and statements and the commonly used standard library modules.

Being one of the best python books for beginners, it contains detailed information about built-in object types, functions, statements for creating and processing objects, syntax, modules for code alignment and reuse. Python comes with a unique set of operator overloading methods, standard library modules, and extensions, idioms and hints, all this is covered very immaculately here. Click to download pdf or buy one of the best python books for beginners.

17. Learn Python in 1 Day: Complete Python Guide with Examples

MRP: Rs. 836

Author: Krishna Rungta
Published by: Amazon. kindle
Latest Edition: First
Amazon Rating: 3.8

Complete Python Guide with example is a book for python beginners who are hesitant of reading Python’s long and complicated code. This popular book includes some of the complex concepts of Python programming for beginners and analyses it in a few elementary steps.

The e-book made Python so easy that you can straight away master the Python language even though you have never coded in Python before. This book includes the prime Python coding concepts like classes, objects, tuples, strings, and so on. The examples are chosen particularly to illustrate all the Python concepts in an easy to understand way for beginners. 

Click here to purchase the book online.

18. Python for Data Analysis: Data Wrangling with Pandas, NumPy, and IPython

MRP: Rs. 1,450

Author: Wes McKinney
Published By: O’Reilly Media, Inc.
Latest Edition: Second
Amazon Rating: 4.6/5

This book is specifically designed to be used as a primary handbook for advanced python courses. The third edition of this Python Programming book holds up the tradition of updating content with respect to the latest libraries and methods introduced in the market.

It contains all the details about the latest class-object technologies and continues to enhance the developer’s python programming concept using a time tested approach. It is highly recommended for programmers working with computer graphics, as it contains examples, spanned across chapter 4 to chapter 12.

Contains complete instructions for manipulating, processing, cleaning, and crunching datasets in Python. Updated for Python 3.6, the second edition of this hands-on guide is packed with practical case studies that show you how to solve a broad set of data analysis problems effectively. 

Download the online pdf or purchase the book.

19. Natural Language Processing with Python: Analyzing Text with the Natural Language Toolkit

MRP: Rs.3,989

Written By: Steven Bird, Ewan Klein, and Edward Loper
Published By: O’Reilly Media, Inc.
Latest Edition: One
Amazon Rating: 4.5

This book comes with a highly accessible introduction to natural language processing. It is the field that supports a variety of language technologies, from predictive text and email filtering and sorting to automated summarisation, conclusion and translation.

You will have hands-on knowledge about developing Python programs that deal with large collections of unstructured text. You can use highly annotated datasets using a dense set of linguistic data structures, and you’ll go through the prime algorithms for analysing the unstructured content and structure of written communication.

The book contains ample examples and exercises based on Natural Language Processing with Python, this helps in the following:

  • Extracting useful information from unstructured text, either to analyse the topic or identify “named entities” or objects.
  • Analysing linguistic structure in text, including parsing and semantic analysis for generating a language or translations.
  • Accessing widespread linguistic databases, such as WordNet and treebanks.
  • Integrating techniques derive from various fields ranging from linguistics to artificial intelligence.

Click here to download the pdf or purchase the book online.

20. Python Machine Learning: Machine Learning and Deep Learning with Python, sci-kit-learn, and TensorFlow

MRP: 2,317

Author: Sebastian Raschka Vahid Mirjalili
Published by: Packt Publishing Limited
Latest Edition: Third
Amazon Rating: 4.5

Python Machine Learning offers advanced practical machine learning techniques for developing machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing and data analysis algorithms. The book has been recently updated with the latest python libraries.

This book also includes TensorFlow deep learning library. The scikit-learn code written by the author is also fully updated. It is for advanced programmers who already understand the basic data structures and class object programs, it is used for optimising, enhancing and extending the pre-written python code to make it cope up with real-life problem statements. Towards the end of the book, you find a set of new data analysis opportunities to be explored in today’s world.

Click here to download pdf or purchase the book online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Python version is best for beginners?

Python3 is the most recent stable version of Python and the latest stable version should be used by beginners when they start learning.

Which book should I read to learn Python?

Python for dummies and automate boring stuff in Python are two amazing books one should definitely read to learn Python.

Can I learn Python in three days?

You can definitely understand the syntax in 3 days but understanding the working of the language and applying it into your projects with ease might take months.

What should a beginner python do?

A developer who has just begun with python should start with building small projects like games and usage of python libraries. Games are an excellent way of putting the knowledge you have in a language to good use.

Key Takeaways

This stack contains all the necessary details about the 20 Best Python Books for Beginners & Experts. Even if you are a python programming expert you will definitely find something very fruitful and unique in any of these books.

The references, algorithms, pseudo-codes, block diagrams, source codes mentioned in these books will surely assist you in your future data science and machine learning projects or competitive coding concepts. Start with any one book, but gradually you study multiple books to get a proper idea about python programming for beginners. 

 Always go through the content page before you start reading any python books, you must be aware that the contents of the book are relevant for you. If you are an expert, go for advanced books. Before purchasing the book, iterate through the pdf, so that you get a proper idea of its contents. 

Apart from python programming for beginners, there are numerous books written about Advanced Python modules, Machine Learning and Data Science, you can go through them as well so that you can create a complete real-time project.

To explore more interesting article on other programming languages, you can check out our blog section.

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