Top 20 Best Python Books for Beginners & Advanced Coders [2023]

Python is an immensely popular programming language that’s widely used for web development, machine learning, data science, data analysis, and more. Python also ranked as a top 5 language among developers in the latest Stack Overflow developer survey, so whether you're a beginner or experienced dev, Python skills are highly sought after. 

Some of the best ways to learn Python include taking the best Python courses, building the best Python projects, or reading the best Python books. But with so many books to choose from, it can be challenging to find the right one.

That's why we've compiled a list of the 20 best Python books for beginners and advanced coders in 2023. So if you want to find the best book to learn Python, let's dive in!

Featured Python Books [Editor’s Picks]
	Title: Learning Python Author: Mark Lutz Publisher: O'Reilly Media Edition: 5th Pages: 1643 Formats: Paperback & Kindle	Check Price
	Title: Head-First Python Author: Paul Barry Publisher: O'Reilly Media Edition: 2nd Pages: 622 Formats: Paperback & Kindle	Check Price
	Title: Python Distilled Author: David Beazley Publisher: Pearson Edition: 1st Pages: 352 Formats:  Paperback & Kindle	Check Price
	Title: Python 3 Author: Johannes Ernesti & Peter Kaiser Publisher: Rheinwerk Computing Edition: 1st Pages: 1,078 Formats: Paperback & Kindle	Check Price

Why Learn Python?

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. 

How To Choose a Python Book

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.

1. Determine your skill level: If you are a complete beginner, start with Python textbooks that cover the basics of Python programming. If you’re an experienced programmer, you may want an advanced book on specific language features.
2. Check the author's credentials: Look for Python books written by authors with experience in programming and teaching Python.
3. Read reviews: Read reviews of the Python book online to get an idea of what other readers think. 
4. Consider your learning style: If you prefer a hands-on approach, look for a Python book with exercises and projects.

Best Python Books for Beginners

1. Python Crash Course (3rd Edition)

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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.

Features

• Exercises for each topic to practice writing clean and effective code
• Projects for games, data visualization, app development, and online deployment
• Covers popular Python libraries like Pygame, Matplotlib, Plotly, and Django
• Third edition covers VS Code, the pathlib module, and pytest

2. Automate the Boring Stuff with Python (2nd Edition)

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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? This author has a related Python course on Udemy.

Features

• Covers Python 3 basics and the standard library for automating tasks
• Learn to automate tasks like data scraping, form filling, and more
• Covers input validation and tutorials on automating Gmail, Google Sheets, and CSV files

3. Learning Python (5th Edition)

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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.

Features

• Huge book with comprehensive coverage of many parts of the Python standard library
• Includes quizzes, exercises, and helpful illustrations to aid learning
• Covers advanced topics like OOP, exception handling, and Unicode

4. Head-First Python (2nd Edition)

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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.

Features

• Visually rich format that engages the reader and facilitates learning
• Covers Python basics and built-in functions and data structures
• Step-by-step guides to web apps, database management, and data wrangling

5. Introducing Python (2nd Edition)

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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.

Features

• Easy to understand and fun to read
• Mixes tutorials with cookbook-style code recipes to explain concepts
• Hands-on examples with open-source packages

6. Python Programming for Beginners (1st Edition)

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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.

Features

• Short read and simplified learning approach are ideal for beginners
• Presents topics in optimal order and selection
• Exercises and examples to cement your understanding

7. Python Basics: A Practical Introduction to Python (1st Edition)

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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.

Features

• Beginner-friendly and hands-on approach to learning Python
• Covers important topics like testing and version control
• Complete Python curriculum with exercises, quizzes, and sample projects

8. Python Programming for Beginners (1st Edition)

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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. 

Features

• Short and beginner-friendly Python book
• Practical code samples and exercises to test your skills
• Designed to help you use Python syntax quickly and easily

9. Learn Python in One Day and Learn It Well (2nd Edition)

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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.

Features

• Beginner-friendly introduction to Python programming
• Practical exercises and coding challenges
• Covers advanced topics like web development and object-oriented programming

10. Think Python (2nd Edition)

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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.

Features

• Comprehensive introduction to Python programming
• Problem-solving approach with exercises and case studies
• Covers advanced topics including OOP, debugging, and testing

11. Python: For Beginners (1st Edition)

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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.

Features

• Includes practical examples and exercises to reinforce learning
• Covers essential Python concepts and programming techniques
• Aims to teach Python to complete programming beginners in just 7 days 

12. Python Programming for Beginners (1st Edition)

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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. 

Features

• Easy to understand and fun to read
• Practical exercises for real-world scenarios
• Two separate books to cover basic and advanced concepts

13. Learn Python 3 the Hard Way (1st Edition)

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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.

Features

• Teaches Python programming via hands-on coding and repetition
• No copying and pasting allowed, forcing readers to type out code
• Encourages readers to break, fix, and debug code

Best Python Books for Advanced Developers

14. Fluent Python (2nd Edition)

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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.

Features

• In-depth coverage of data structures and algorithms
• Practical examples and exercises to reinforce learning
• Focus on idiomatic coding practices in Python

15. Effective Python (2nd Edition)

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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. 

Features

• Offers 90 tips, shortcuts, and best practice suggestions for Python
• Wide coverage, including data structures, functions, concurrency, debugging, and more
• Latest edition includes 30 new actionable guidelines

16. Python Distilled (1st Edition)

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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.

Features

• Updated version of the immensely popular Python Cookbook
• Concisely covers essential concepts of Python programming
• Code examples illustrate best practices

17. Python 3: The Comprehensive Guide to Hands-On Python Programming (1st Edition)

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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.

Features

• Covers basic and advanced topics like GUIs and networking
• Code examples for readers to apply what they've learned
• Option to download code examples

18. High Performance Python (2nd Edition)

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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.

Features

• Covers multicore architectures and clusters, building scalable systems, and Docker
• Offers guidance for NumPy, Cython, and profilers to find CPU and memory bottlenecks
• Advice on data structures, speeding up matrix computations, and managing I/O

19. Using Asyncio in Python (1st Edition)

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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.

Features

• Compare asyncio and threading for concurrent network programming
• Quickstart guide for event-based programming with asyncio
• Detailed coverage of async/await language syntax, including coroutines and tasks

20. Python - The Bible (1st Edition)

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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.

Features

• Three volumes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced Python developers
• Covers variables, data types, classes, collections, files, and more.
• Includes practice projects to apply knowledge and enhance understanding

Conclusion

Python continues to be one of the most popular programming languages for beginners and experienced devs alike, thanks to its intuitive syntax and diverse applications, whether that’s for data science, data analysis, web development, academia, and many more. 

One of the best ways to learn Python is to read a great Python book, so we’ve compiled a list of the 20 best Python books you need to read in 2023. We’ve also taken the time to find a range of options for both beginners and advanced developers, so there’s something for everyone on our list of Python books.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which Is the Best Book for Python Beginners?

It’s hard to pick the best Python book for beginners, depending on your previous programming experience, preferred learning style, expectations, and more.

If you’re unsure where to start, we’d recommend Head-First Python for its unique teaching approach or the Python Crash Course. But overall, we’d recommend any from our list of the best books for Python beginners.

2. Which One Is the Best Book for Python?

Selecting the best book for learning Python is hard, as it depends on your skill level, interests, and preferred learning style.

If you’re unsure where to start, check out any of the books on our list, as there are options for beginners and experienced developers. If you’re a beginner that wants a comprehensive read, check out Learning Python, or if you’re an advanced developer, consider Python Distilled. 

3. Can You Learn Python From a Book?

Yes, you can learn Python from a book. It’s also important to get include hands-on coding practice and maybe work on some of the best Python projects to reinforce your learning. You could also consider backing your book learning with one of the best Python courses.

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