HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites

This book is one that delivers HTML and CSS in a way that makes it accessible to everyone – hobbyists, students, bloggers and professionals. It is primarily aimed at those new to the subject. If you’re looking for a great book to introduce web design and development to someone, then this one is a definite winner. Extremely visual in nature and beautifully designed, this book presents concepts and codes with full-colour diagrams, figures and screenshots. The information is well organised and explained in a very easy to follow manner. It covers relevant topics that go beyond HTML, including deploying your file and incorporating Google Analytics into your site. The #1 book on this list for good reason. Read more..

Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML

The Head First series is renowned for presenting information to beginners in a clear, fun and informative manner. The book is a breeze to follow and introduces its audience to HTML through examples, case studies and flowing text. It manages to take the conceptually easy but sometimes difficult to grasp topics of HTML, XHTML and CSS and break them down into a way that anyone can follow. If you’re concerned about your ability to gain a solid understanding of HTML and CSS or feel other ‘technical’ books in this list are too much, then grab this HTML book and you won’t look back. Read more..

HTML, XHTML, and CSS, Sixth Edition

Another well written and easy to understand HTML book, aimed at entry-level web designers and full of great examples. It is an easy read that successfully introduces its audience to HTML & CSS, and small enough that you can pretty much read the whole thing in a day. Cleanly designed and well laid out, this one will have you up and running in no time. Read more..

HTML, XHTML, and CSS: Your visual blueprint for designing effective Web pages

This is a unique guidebook that takes a visual approach to teaching professional technical topics. Full of screenshots detailing key HTML & CSS techniques, this book is logical, comprehensive and well thought out. This HTML book is a great primer and its depth is second to none, aimed at both beginners and more advanced designers alike. It covers topics such as search engines, CSS hacks, and common pitfalls as well as providing a wealth of HTML knowledge. Direct and to the point, without the expected dryness, it is highly rated and popular among web enthusiasts. Read more..

Sams Teach Yourself HTML and CSS in 24 Hours

Sure, you could cram an entire book and learn HTML and CSS in 24 hours if you really wanted to. If you look past the title (as I generally do with these types of books) you’ll find a clear, well-written book of lessons. Each one builds upon the previous, allowing beginners to learn the essentials from the ground up. Aimed at those truly new to HTML and CSS, this book will have you understanding the languages in no time at all. This book does skip some important topics however, and the constant advertisements were quite unnecessary. Read more..

HTML & CSS: The Complete Reference

This is the most comprehensive, complete and up to date reference book for CSS and HTML. Perfect if you don’t want to learn as a complete novice and prefer to follow a detailed and technical approach. This book comes complete with a thorough index and list of attributes as well as solid examples of code usage. It will teach you enough of the fundamentals and syntax of the languages while acting like a reference point for more advanced users. Read more..

HTML & XHTML: The Definitive Guide

This is a definitive guide to HTML and is definitely one you’ll want in your collection. Very popular and well received, well-written and informative. Great as a starting point or for reference material you’ll continue to use long after its first read. This book covers every tag and related attributes, provides a solid introduction to the fundamentals of HTML and web design, and good information on trends and browser compatibility. Read more..

HTML & XHTML: The Definitive Guide

This beginner’s guide is informative, well explained, and full of useful short tests. It also introduces the reader to Javascript, CSS, web design, and hosting/administration. The book focuses on an on-going project where you build your own website, gradually adding to it as your skills improve. It is a great and user-friendly addition to your bookcase, with thorough reference section. The tutorials are practical and fun. Individuals overwhelmed with taking on a new skill will discover, with this book, how simple and exciting learning HTML can be. Read more..

Beginner’s Guide to Digital Painting in Photoshop

The Beginner’s Guide to Digital Painting in Photoshop is a book aimed at giving a comprehensive introduction to the basics of digital painting using Photoshop. It is highly recommended for beginners, as well as being packed with insightful and great tips for medium-level users. The book starts out with basic principles, introducing the workspace, setting adjustment and optimization and an introduction to the main features of the program. It also covers composition, perspective, art theory, tonal values, and using photos for textures or as matte painting bases, as well as any and all the relevant tools. Everything Photoshop-related that a DIY learner might want to gain an understanding of is covered in this book.  Read more..

Photoshop Masking & Compositing

This books prime focus is on photorealistic compositing and the tools and techniques used for masking and combining images. It features work by leading artists and photographers, and uses numerous step-by-step examples as well as highlights the tools and techniques used throughout the process. Techniques covered include making fast and accurate selections, mastering the software’s masking tools, and implementing the concept and photography from start to finish. Because of the level of detail covered, advanced users can skim much of the intermediate material while still gaining good value from this book. It’s mainly aimed at intermediate-advanced users, however newcomers to Photoshop will still be able to walk themselves throughout the tutorials with some perseverance.  Read more..

Photoshop Down & Dirty Tricks for Designers

This book is aimed at any creative person who wants to harness the power of Photoshop to make sure their imagination is put to good use and their ideas stand out. The detailed tutorials within are to the point, well laid-out and easy to follow. Despite going in-depth, the text is written well and light enough to not become tedious or boring to read. The writer not only describes what he is doing, but shows you with both before and after images, which are well-placed throughout the book and demonstrate practically everything that needs graphical clarification. The tricks and tips within this book will definitely increase your general skills in Photoshop.  Read more..

Layers: The Complete Guide to Photoshop’s Most Powerful Feature

We all know layers play a defining role in any Photoshop work, and this book makes it easy for newcomers to understand why and how different layers and masks work. This book is not a Photoshop reference or tutorial teaching you the ins and outs of the software, assuming a good base knowledge and understanding so it can focus on layer mastery. The basics of layers and masks only are covered, with the text quickly moving into advanced layers and masking techniques to enhance and control your images. If you want to correct boring skies, intrusive shadows and highlights, introduce effects and textures, fix bad skin and other effects detrimental to your final product, then grab this book. Read more..

Adobe Photoshop CS6 for Photographers: A professional image editor’s guide to the creative use of Photoshop for the Macintosh and PC

This is another book aimed at intermediate to advanced users of Photoshop rather than beginners, primarily photographers instead of digital artists and graphic artists. The book introduces the reader to the ins-and-outs of Photoshop and building an understanding of the what, when, where and why of the many tools available. It goes into deep detail and discussion of Adobe Camera Raw processing and Brdige, ensuring that photographers that need an understanding of these linked programs will not be putting the book down empty-handed. It covers, as one reviewer puts it, detailed ‘particulars’, which include required computer specs for installation, program configuration tips, menu customization options and the knowledge of creating actions. If you’ve already gone through one of the beginner books on this list, this may be the second Photoshop book you want to add to your collection, especially if you are a digital photographer. Read more..

Photoshop Compositing Secrets: Unlocking the Key to Perfect Selections and Amazing Photoshop Effects for Totally Realistic Composites

This highly recommended book is for advanced users who want to expand their skills and take their photo and graphic capabilities to the next level. Much of this book covers subject lighting, advanced masking, and introducing seamless backgrounds. This kind of material tends to require access to a studio and leans towards readers with access to these as well as multiple lights and lighting arrangements. Topics such as shadows, filters, clipping masks, layer blend modes, fringe removal are all covered in this context, as well as material on various composite photos both individual shots or action shots and various ways to make backgrounds pop. Despite the advanced material and expected knowledge and experience that comes with this book, the writing is down-to-earth, understandable and comprehensive. Read more..

Adobe Photoshop CS5 Classroom in a Book

This book is aimed at someone slightly familiar with Photoshop, as some basic knowledge of the software is implied with the language. One of its strongest points is the well-received DVD-ROM containing two hour’s worth of video tutorials. These video lessons complement and enhance many of the tutorials found within the book. At the end of each topic detailed are review questions and answers which solidify your understanding of the material. It is a good addition to your Photoshop library but perhaps not the strongest if you are a true beginner looking for an entry-level introduction. Read more..

Photoshop CS6: The Missing Manual

The Missing Manual series appears in almost every design/development list for good reason. The basics of Photoshop are addressed and well-explained here in a clear and light manner. Aimed specifically at beginners, topics covered include the menus, tools, general features, layers, filters, masks, selection tools, cropping, resizing, and channels. The writer presents its illustrations and information in a detailed and insightful way while s till remaining light-hearted and conversation so as not to bore her readers. Every piece and detail of Photoshop is focused on and explained for beginners to ensure a strong working background for those new to the software. In short, this book is clear, concise and well-written and considered a great introduction for those new to Photoshop. Read more..

The Adobe Photoshop CS5 Book for Digital Photographers

Another exceptionally well-written and easy to follow Photoshop book aimed at digital photographers. Many important topics are covered, including backlighting, removing reflections, black and white photos, Camera Raw, group photos and fixing common image problems, and a Photoshop killer tips section ends each chapter which is full of great info. Even the most inexperienced users will feel at ease with this straight-forward and step-by-step tutorial packed text, and will find they are seeing results with their photos and images in no time. Full of before and after photos and directions, overall this book is a great introduction to the power of Photoshop. Read more..

C++ Primer

C++ Primer is a highly recommended, well organised and well-written book for those who want to learn C++. It is a very thorough introduction to the language in a very accessible format, with plenty of examples and explains everything in the language in great detail. It will help you learn C++ fast, especially if you come from a programming background already, and will teach you how to use the language in modern, highly effective ways. Chosen and recommended by many of industry leaders, it highlights best practices, the core of the language and its standard library, while providing great examples and insightful analysis along the way. It comes at over one-thousand pages but is not messy or hard to navigate, so expect to find any beginners topic covered extensively.  Read more..

Accelerated C++: Practical Programming by Example

Accelerated C++ covers very similar ground to the previous book, but is nowhere near as large because it does not introduce someone to programming. It is a book written for those who already have a solid background and experience in programming in another language. It has denser and more compact material aimed at more advanced newcomers to C++, but if you don’t need a ‘newbified’ introduction to the language than this one will get you up to speed faster. Not for the faint of heart who may feel a little overwhelmed stepping into C++ for the first time.  Read more..

Effective C++: 55 Specific Ways to Improve Your Programs and Designs

Effective C++ is the book to read after you’ve chose one of the previous two beginners books. It is aimed at newcomers to the language who are ready to further their knowledge and hit the intermediate level of C++ programming. It presents 50 rules of thumb for the language along with the rationale behind them in a easy to read and enjoyable style, and is an absolute must for anyone thinking of doing C++ development seriously. It is well worth the investment making this the second book on your purchase list after your initial introductory book.  Read more..

Exceptional C++: 47 Engineering Puzzles, Programming Problems, and Solutions

Exceptional C++ is aimed towards the experienced C++ programmer, and presents a set of puzzles and explanations for advanced programmers to work through and take their skills to the next level. It tests the reader’s knowledge of advanced C++ topics and language features so be sure to come prepared to get the most out of this book. Topics covered include proper resource management and exception safety through RAII, the pimpl idiom, name lookup, class design, and the C++ memory model.  Read more..

C++ Templates: The Complete Guide

C++ Templates covers the advanced and powerful features of C++ templates and shows software engineers how to use them to build and maintain cleaner, faster, and smarter software. Templates are among the most often neglected and misunderstood features of C++ and so a primer on them is very useful, but be warned you need an intermediate to advanced level of experience and skill already in C++ for this book. It acts as a tutorial to templates as well as a handy reference, with an emphasis on the practical use of templates and using them in real-world examples. Every detail of templates is covered: how they are implemented, common pitfalls, the One Definition Rule (ODR), overload resolution and solid appendices.  Read more..

More Effective C++: 35 New Ways to Improve Your Programs and Designs

More Effective C++ has even more (as the title suggests) rules of thumb than its predecessor mentioned earlier. While the rules may not be as important or effective as the first book they are still good to know and a valuable addition to your library. With 35 new ways to improve your C++ programs and designs, this book explains again how to write software that works better: more efficient, effective, robust, consistent, portable and reusable. It is another valuable book worth getting if you want to take yourself from a beginner to the intermediate-advanced level. It covers plenty of useful topics and is littered with code snippets and examples to illustrate the rules given.  Read more..

Modern C++ Design: Generic Programming and Design Patterns Applied

Modern C++ Design is a very respected and recommended book for advanced C++ programmers, introducing policy-based design, type lists, and fundamental programming idioms. It introduces and demonstrates ‘pattern templates’ as a method of creating extensible designs including small object allocators, factories, visitors, and multi-methods. This book will help advanced programmers hone advanced techniques to achieve expressive, flexible, clean and highly reusable C++ code. Unless you’re a hardcore C++ programmer expect to find this book hard to understand, however the payoff once you’ve mastered the techniques within is worth it.  Read more..

The C++ Programming Language: Special Edition (3rd Edition)

Updated for C++11, The C++ Programming Language is the classic introduction to the language by its creator, and is the world’s most trusted and widely read book on C++. It is a perfect reference book, covering everything from the core language, the standard library to programming paradigms and the language’s philosophy. The code and examples within are clean, to the point and clearly shows exactly what it means to and how it works. Recommended for intermediate to advanced C++ software engineers.  Read more..

The C++ Standard Library: A Tutorial and Reference

Also updated for C++11, The C++ Standard Library is the introduction and reference for the C++ standard library, providing comprehensive documentation of each library component and an introduction to their purpose and design. It is jam-packed with examples throughout the book and clearly written explanations of complex concepts. It covers practical uses of C++ and how it is effectively used, traps and pitfalls, signatures and definitions of the most important classes and functions. It’s also got a solid index at the end of the book which only solidifies it’s strength as a reference.  Read more..

Beginning PHP 5.3

Topping this list is the extremely well received Beginning PHP. At 800 pages, this book is the best on the market for teaching PHP and programming concepts in general to beginners. Simple, straight-forward and concise, it is also an ideal resource for students learning the language. Topics and exercises cover advanced topics from PDO, expressions and image creation to object oriented programming (OOP). Exercises follow every chapter with solutions and explanations throughout and at the end of the book. Overall, a well thought out, extremely well- received book that successfully teaches a complicated subject to anyone ready to learn it.  Read more..

PHP Solutions: Dynamic Web Design Made Easy

The second 5-star rated PHP book to hit this list is the highly recommended and popular PHP Solutions. Rather than reading like a linear tutorial, it follows a solution-oriented approach to getting things done with the language. The book begins by preparing the reader for installing and testing the PHP, MySQL database, and Apache server trinity on Windows or Mac. The majority of the book however is spent developing a PHP site from the ground up. There are plenty of supporting exercises and material throughout the book, as well as example downloadable files and folders. The overall approach and writing style of this book makes it a winner to those who have read it.  Read more..

PHP and MySQL Web Development

The third and final 5 star PHP book to make the list, PHP and MySQL Web Development clearly describes the basics of the language, MySQL databases, web servers, and how the three communicate and interact with one another to create dynamic websites. It covers complex subject material in a clear and straight-forward manner and breaks down the more technical aspects of PHP so that it makes sense. Numerous examples littered throughout the book demonstrate common tasks such as authentication, shopping cards, PDF documents, email, and connecting to web services.  Read more..

Murach’s PHP and MySQL

Another highly recommended book from the popular Murach series. Aimed at true beginners, it begins with a thorough introduction to the essentials of PHP and SQL. Topics such as client vs server side programming, cross-language and client-server communication, database connections and programming, and how Apache acts as a web server are covered. It does this smoothly and logically, making it easy for beginners to gain a sound grasp of the fundamentals and works from there. Many readers love the Murach series for its clear layout style and organization, with descripting text on the left page and samples, bullet points, and summaries on the right page. This design helps the book work as a reference as well as a learning tool for novices and pros alike.  Read more..

PHP for the Web: Visual QuickStart Guide

A well-received book overall, PHP for the Web is great for both beginners and intermediate readers, including those brand new to programming. The pace of the writing is easy to follow and important subjects are explained clearly to fill in any knowledge gaps. This book is very visual, with a task-based approach to learning, logically building up on previous chapters as you progress. With plenty of screenshots, clear instructions and a collection of excellent ‘tips’ throughout the book, the easy-to-follow lessons and sample scripts ensure you’re brought up to speed with PHP in good time.  Read more..

PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites: Visual QuickPro Guide

Similar to PHP for the Web, this book focuses on building dynamic websites using the latest features and techniques of PHP and MySQL. It is ideal for beginning to intermediate level readers, but does assume a basic knowledge of HTML, CSS and some JavaScript. There are plenty of practical step-by-step examples, scripts and expert tips and comments for the reader to reference to. Overall, the book moves along at a consistent, measured pace, is packed with valuable references and examples, and is certainly a great starting point for learning PHP.  Read more..

PHP Cookbook: Solutions and Examples for PHP Programmers

The PHP Cookbook is organized by common problems and tasks and is loaded with practical solutions which can be used as building blocks for all kinds of PHP applications. It follows by providing a lengthy discussion of and explanation for why the solution is a good one and how it works. The code solutions are tight and well-written, and more advanced users may find they are upgrades for coding tasks done in the past. Because of the broad range of problems, beginners and advanced users will find this book useful as a reference and tool for honing their PHP skills.  Read more..

Head First PHP & MySQL

Head First PHP & MySQL is no different from the rest of this memorable series that is perfect for true beginners or students. Besides being extremely visually rich, it is packed full of exercises, quizzes, puzzles and other interactive features to help you master the relevant topics. These books are always good at explaining more complex topics in a simple and straight-forward manner to help you understand and master the described concepts. Great if you find the idea of learning PHP daunting and want a smooth and painless entry into the subject.  Read more..

C Programming: A Modern Approach, 2nd Edition

C Programming: A Modern Approach is a very highly rated beginners C book and is popular with both students and faculty alike because of its comprehensive and well-written introduction to the language. It’s got great Q&A sections that challenge encourage you hone your C skills, making you ‘think’ like a programmer. It’s full of clear reasoning behind the code and the examples are concise. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to jump in and learn the C language, even if you are new to programming in general.  Read more..

C Primer Plus (5th Edition)

C Primer Plus has been revised for the 5th edition to include over 20 new programming exercises, improved examples and is highly recommended to anyone who wants to learn C, especially new programmers. It is a friendly and easy to follow study guide that will teach you the fundamentals of C. However it is challenging enough to really sharpen your skills and will have you remembering what you learn each chapter. All the concepts are clearly laid out and explained, with review questions and programming exercises at the end of each chapter. Another great beginners book. Read more..

Programming in C (3rd Edition)

Programming in C also deserves a spot on this list; it has a very straight-forward, easy to follow style as a beginner learning the language. Its writing style is well-paced and logical, with exercises at the end of each chapter solidifying what you have learnt. Every facet of C is covered, from variables, program looping and functions to pointers, the pre-processors, arrays and I/O. It’s also got great appendices which are packed with useful information and offer a lot of value.  Read more..

The Standard C Library

The Standard C Library is considered a ‘must have’ by many C programmers and reviewers of the book. It assumes you’ve already an experienced C++ programmer, and delivers three treatments of the Standard C library: the text from the standard, a detailed commentary, and a prototype implementation. It pretty much delivers the full source code of all the standard libraries, letting you see how things work on the inside. It’s clear, efficient, and acts as a perfect reference to the standard library. Each header has a chapter, and each chapter details all the functions within that are available, how they work, and how to implement them.  Read more..

The C Puzzle Book

The C Puzzle Book is an old classic that presents a series of challenging C program puzzles that its readers need to analyze and then predict the output that will appear on the screen. Each puzzle is followed by a detailed, step-by-step explanation of what happened and how a solution is reached. These interesting puzzle examples will really help you understand the nuances of C and gain a greater mastery of the language. This book will really exercise you C skills and ensure you’ve really got a firm grasp of what’s actually going on within the C programs you write. Read more..

Expert C Programming: Deep C Secrets

Expert C Programming delves into advanced C programming topics and obscurities such as declarations, arrays/pointers, memory usage and compiling. It is intended for those with plenty of C programming experience wanting to earn that ‘professional’ tag and is also ideal for C programmers who want to move into C++. It is full of great information and detailed explanations of C’s advanced features and how they work ‘under the hood’. Read more..

C Programming Language (2nd Edition)

C Programming Language (widely known as K&R, after the authors’ initials) was written by the developers of C and is an extremely well-known and popular C programming book. It is both an excellent tutorial book as well as a clear reference manual for the language, but it does assume its readers have knowledge of and experience in structured programming languages. It also covers such topics as operators, economy of expressions, improved control flow, and data structures. To top it all off, it’s got a very comprehensive and useful index.  Read more..

C Pocket Reference

The C Pocket Reference is a well organised and concise little must-have for any C programmer. It’s got a well laid out table of contents, sound language description, a short but solid reference to the C standard library covering C99 as well as an comprehensive index. It is not for beginners looking to learn the language, but rather a compact reference explaining C nuances and giving short but valuable examples. Read more..

Modern Javascript: Develop and Design

This book is great for beginners, but even intermediate-advanced developers would find value within its pages. It acts as an excellent reference with good examples, is easy to read, and focuses on up-to-date techniques and Javascript best practices. Topics covered include complex conditions, OOP Javascript, AJAX, frameworks, as well as key web development approaches such as progressive, enhancement and unobtrusive scripting. It’s teaching style is especially suited for those who have never programmed before.  Read more..

Professional Javascript for Web Developers

This 5-star Javascript book is highly recommended for experienced web developers looking to master Javascript. It is ideal for those comfortable with programming and wanting to enhance their web development skills. It is full of code samples that are easy to understand, as well as packed with plenty of warnings about potential buggy implementations and common traps and pitfalls. Despite a sometimes heavy subject, the writing style remains clear and easily understood, with an overall ‘lets get down to business’ approach. One should note however that is does not work too well as a reference book.  Read more..

Secrets of the Javascript Ninja

Secrets of the Javascript Ninja is written for Javascript developers with intermediate-level skills. The book does a very good job of presenting the material in an easy to understand manner. It teaches you how to create a cross-browser Javascript application from the ground up. Topics covered include functions, objects, regular expressions, Javascript applications and libraries, cross-browser development, and modern tips, techniques, and design principles. It is almost guaranteed that you will learn something new from this book.  Read more..

Effective JavaScript: 68 Specific Ways to Harness the Power of JavaScript

Effective Javascript will deepen your understanding of this powerful language, so you can build more predictable, reliable, and maintainable programs. It is a highly recommended book for Javascript developers, helping its readers transition from novice to master. Rather than acting like a beginner’s tutorial, it does this by detailing Javascript’s idioms and how to take advantage of its perks. This makes it ideal for those who are already experienced with programming and web development and know what to expect. Topics include prototypes, concurrency and asynchronous functions, operators, and many more.  Read more..

JavaScript: The Good Parts

This is another highly recommended Javascript book which acts as an introduction to the language. It is extremely clear and well-written, covering all the basics of Javascript and detailing both relevant techniques as well as best practices. While it serves as a solid introduction and assumes no experience in Javascript, this book does not act too ‘beginner-friendly’, and does assume some programming and web development experience. Topics covered include basic language grammar, objects and functions, data scoping and closure, inheritance, arrays, core API functionality, JSLint and JSON.  Read more..

JavaScript: The Definitive Guide: Activate Your Web Pages

The latest edition of this Javascript book includes a massive 125 examples that you can view or download. It is written and acts as a reference; one that will be used many, many times. Pretty much everything Javascript is covered, from subjects such as syntax to popular libraries, localstorage and geolocation, to jQuery and client-side/server-side languages. Javascript: The Definitive Guide is a very handy and valuable book to have in your library. Read more..

JavaScript & jQuery: The Missing Manual

This book is a solid guide and introduction to JavaScript and how jQuery works. Examples throughout the book are explained line by line to ensure the reader completely understands the “ins & outs” of each topic. Because of this, the book really does cover a lot of valuable material while keeping it practical. It keeps a solid balance of jQuery and JavaScript, with the latter taking up approximately a quarter of the content. If you want a sound understanding of jQuery and how it works, as well as an introduction to a few powerful jQuery plugins, you’ll want to grab this book. Read more..

C# 5.0 in a Nutshell: The Definitive Reference

C# 5.0 in a Nutshell is a clean and straight-forward approach to covering the language. Packed with plenty of clear diagrams and with an excellent writing style, this books is quite visual and easy to read. It is cleverly organised around concepts and cases, with the diagrams helping paint a picture of each topic. Subjects covered include in-depth coverage of C# 5.0′s new asynchronous functions, as well as concurrency, threading, parallel and dynamic programming, networking, security and LINQ/XML technologies.  Read more..

CLR via C#

CLR via C# is another highly detailed book that gives a lot of information with each chapter, and so is not a beginner’s book for learning the language from scratch. It is for experienced programmers interested in a deeper understanding of C# programming, architecture and the .NET platform. It also covers the runtime environment, asynchronous programming while providing extensive Visual C# 2012 code samples and authoritative and pragmatic guidance on development concepts such as generics and threading.  Read more..

Pro C# 5.0 and the .NET 4.5 Framework

Pro C# 5.0 and the .NET 4.5 Framework is written for more experienced developers, experienced software professionals or graduate students of computer science who want to use a heavier book as a reference or guide. If you have had experience however with C# or another object-oriented programming language then this book would be no trouble. It’s got good examples that deal specifically with each concept when it is introduced. It covers topics such as .NET APIs for Windows 8 apps, the asynchronous task-based model for async operations, HTML5 support wrapping in C# web applications, programming interfaces for HTTP applications, and WPF, WCF and WF libraries improving C# power.  Read more..

Introduction to C# Joes 2 Pros

Introduction to C# Joes 2 Pros takes a very lightweight approach to teaching C# to beginners, and is perfect for the classroom or individual study for those who haven’t programmed before. It’s full of examples, illustrations and easy to follow explanations, as well as sample code to learn from, and the writing style makes sense and is very easy to follow. The book does a great job of introducing the basics of C# and using the console window, however does not teach the .NET framework.  Read more..

C# 5.0 Pocket Reference: Instant Help for C# 5.0 Programmers

This C# pocket reference assumes some familiarity already with C# and higher-level programming. If you’re already knee-deep in programming and just want the essential rundown on how C# then this is the reference book for you. It focuses on the specifics and what an experienced user really needs to know, with a solid index and tightly-focused rundown on the essentials. It contains a full list of identifiers and keywords, operators in order of precedence, constrains, commonly used exception types, composing sequences, a table of query operations, pre-processor directives and plenty more presented in a straight-forward fashion. Read more..

C# in Depth, Second Edition

C# in Depth isn’t a beginner’s book for learning C# or how to start programming, but it is an amazing follow-up book to solidify your understanding of the language. If you want to master your understanding of how C# works and are already an experienced C# programming then this is a highly recommended book. It clearly explains each major language feature of C# in a detailed and well-written manner, obviously taking time to comprehensively cover every detail. Because of its immense detail this book makes a great reference point, with an analysis of each language feature, when and how it was introduced and exactly how it works. Read more..

Head First C#, 2E: A Learner’s Guide to Real-World Programming with Visual C# and .NET

Head First C# is part of a signature very beginner oriented book series that clearly covers the language for those who have never programmed before. It teaches the language at an easy to follow and understand pace and uses plenty of examples, exercises, illustrations and repetition. If you have any concerns with learning a new language or that you don’t have enough understanding of the fundamentals you can rest assured this series will have you nicely covered. It covers the basics including variables, if statements, loops and program structure, namespace, classes, methods, and statements. Definitely one of the best books to get started learning C# for those who don’t have a programming background Read more..

CSS: The Missing Manual

Widely considered among the best CSS books, this one is definitely a must have for beginners and pros alike. Not only does the author really know what he is talking about, but his teaching style and writing is clear and easy to follow. At over 500 pages, the book is full of detailed examples, solid illustrations, and has tutorials at the end of each chapter to hone your skills and cement what you’ve learnt.

Browser issues, incompatibilities and the relevant hacks are detailed in full. The author also provides many online reference links for a more detailed explanation of important topics. If you only get one CSS book, make it this one: 80% of readers gave it 5 stars, with 15% giving it 4 stars. I still have it on my shelf, and reference it often. Read more..

CSS: The Definitive Guide

Another well-written and received CSS book which comes highly recommended. Eric Meyer has been revising this book with new editions for over ten years and is one of the leading authors on CSS. He has extensive practical experience and design knowledge, binding them together to cover topics and properties that have real cross-browser support and uses.

This book is not so well tailored to the true beginner as others, but if you have a little practical experience in CSS or are willing to put a bit of extra work in getting your head around the fundamentals, then you’ll still get a lot from this resource. Read more..

Stylin’ with CSS: A Designer’s Guide

A third highly recommended book for getting started with CSS, with extremely high positive reviews and ratings by readers. It is very well-written and easy to follow, with easy explanations and a clear, logical layout. It does not go into unnecessary detail for readers wanting to learn and apply their new-found skills in the real world. For beginners to CSS, this book is a great, entertaining and easy read with practical examples, solid reference chapters and plenty of useful information. Read more..

Smashing CSS: Professional Techniques for Modern Layout

Another CSS book by Eric Meyer, Smashing CSS goes beyond the basics and assumes at least a general familiarity with the fundamentals of CSS. As such, it is not as idea; for beginners as my first two recommendations. Unlike many of his other books on the subject, Smashing CSS has a lighter, more humorous tone and purpose, making it more of a pleasure to read.

He begins by introducing the tools of the trade such as Firebug and SelectORacle, covers the finer points of layout and effects, and also introduces you to the future with HTML5 and CSS3 (slightly deviating from a pure CSS book). Very few in the industry can show you the ins and outs of CSS like Eric Meyer and Smashing CSS provides techniques that are thorough, utterly useful, and universally applicable in the real world. Read more..

The Zen of CSS Design: Visual Enlightenment for the Web

This is not a book that will introduce you to the fundamentals of CSS if you are just starting out. It is primarily aimed at people who want to improve the aesthetics and seamlessness of their website. However, because it was published in 2005, this book (and the Zen Garden site it often references) is a little dated and it’s techniques and examples for styling websites are not as relevant today. Much like a graphical portfolio, this book shows lovely examples of CSS for its time and inspired new themes and designs. Read more..

CSS Mastery: Advanced Web Standards Solutions

Another well-received all-rounder, CSS Mastery: Advanced Web Standards Solutions, Second Edition unites the disparate information on CSS-based design spread throughout the internet into one definitive, modern guide. Revised to cover CSS3, the book can be read from front to back, with each chapter building on the previous one.

This book is a great reference point for beginner to intermediate designers and is a great stepping stone into the more advanced world of CSS3 for those interested. It has a casual but intelligent writing style and all three authors provide valuable insight into beating those pesky browser-specific issues. Read more..

Stunning CSS3: A project-based guide to the latest in CSS

My first on the list of CSS3 books is not one for those new to CSS; it assumes the reader has a reasonable grasp of HTML and traditional CSS. It is a well-designed and easy to read book with an elegant and open layout. In terms of content, it is well written, informative and full of references, downloadable resources, and extra links for further reading. With so much interest in responsive web design, it is invaluable for those wanting to build sites that adapt to the device being used to view it (iPhones, iPads, netbooks and notebooks). Jam packed with information and thorough explanations, this book is the perfect reference point and resource for those wanting to take their developed CSS skills to the next level. Read more..

The Book of CSS3: A Developer’s Guide to the Future of Web Design

Another one of those CSS3 books aimed at an audience already familiar with HTML and CSS, focusing mainly on the new features packaged with CSS3. The author’s style of writing is clear, simple and to the point. He guides you with enough sample codes and output to successfully understand each chapter. These are clean, easy to understand and quite in-depth, ensuring you finish each chapter with a solid understanding of each topic. Browser compatibility and feature support is also included as a useful reference section, as well as online resource links for further reading. Read more..

CSS3: Visual QuickStart Guide

Both beginning users, who want a thorough introduction to CSS, and more advanced users, who are looking for a convenient reference, will find what they need here. It introduces you to CSS and leads into the new features of CSS3 as your knowledge grows along the way. Jason’s writing style is light and casual but informative and easy to follow. Whether you’re a beginner to CSS or a user with a degree of experience who wants to catch up with a good CSS3 book, this one’s winner. References and downloadable files from his website are extensive and make it easier for you to follow more complicated subjects. Read more..

The CSS3 Anthology: Take Your Sites to New Heights

The CSS3 Anthology: 101 Essential Tips, Tricks & Hacks is a compilation of best-practice solutions to the most challenging CSS problems. The fourth edition of this best-selling full-color book has been completely revised and updated to cover newer techniques enabled by CSS3. With over 100 easy to read tutorials packed with info and downloadable code, this book will show you how to master the look and feel of pages you are designing. Good for both beginners and intermediate readers, as well as those new to the language, this CSS3 book will surely teach you a thing or two. Read more..

Practical CSS3: Develop and Design

This book teaches how to use CSS3 to build cool, responsive user interface features that are feasible for use in real-world projects today. Readers will appreciate the author’s approachable style and will catch on quickly with this easy-to-follow, practical guide. Topics include CSS3 typography, bling boxes, navigation buttons, animated effects using CSS3, using CSS3 to implement icons, CSS3 layout chops, adaptive layouts and responsive design, fluid layouts and percentages, and styling media. Read more..

Learning CSS3 Animations & Transitions: A Hands-on Guide to Animating in CSS3 with Transforms, Transitions, Keyframes, and JavaScript

This book teaches how to use CSS3 to build cool, responsive user interface features that are feasible for use in real-world projects today. Readers will appreciate the author’s approachable style and will catch on quickly with this easy-to-follow, practical guide. Topics include CSS3 typography, bling boxes, navigation buttons, animated effects using CSS3, using CSS3 to implement icons, CSS3 layout chops, adaptive layouts and responsive design, fluid layouts and percentages, and styling media. Read more..

Murach’s HTML5 and CSS3

Murach’s book is an excellent introductory book for beginners, but works as a touch-up tool for those with some experience in web design and development. There is plenty of reference material neatly laid out throughout the book, clearly identified separately from the learning material. The changes made to HTML4 are also clearly marked throughout the book for the more discerning reader. If you are just getting into HTML5 and CSS3, this book works well because it also includes all the basics of HTML and CSS. For those wanting a pure resource on HTML5, this book may not sit too well. It covers subjects such as Javascript and jQuery which, while relevant, distracts readers. Read more..

Teach Yourself VISUALLY HTML5

The Teach Yourself Visually series has become quite popular, and the HTML5 version is a solid addition to the collection. The book is full of clean and clear step-by-step screenshots that detail and describe how to solver more than 165 HTML5 tasks. It does an excellent job at teaching the fundamentals of HTML5 and CSS in a quick and effective manner to beginners. If you or someone you know is a visual learner (especially homeschoolers or the next generation of younger web designers), this book is perfect. Read more..

Introducing HTML5

Introducing HTML5 is a solid introduction to the new semantics and application-oriented technologies that make up the HTML5 spec. The new and important elements are explained and discussed in-depth, bringing those already familiar with HTML up to speed. You can expect to see the new HTML5, HTML5 Audio and Video and the relevant JavaScript, Canvas, Messages, Web Workers and Web Sockets covered in-depth. The writing style is informative but not long-winded, focusing on the semantics of the new elements and going into great detail with plenty of examples. Read more..

Foundation HTML5 Canvas: For Games and Entertainment

This book focuses on the new HTML5 canvas, which lets developers make browser-based interactive games and applications without the need for plug-ins such as Flash. It is perfect for both beginners and experienced users, with thorough examples and explanations of new tags and techniques.

Beginning with friendly introduction (no experience required) to JavaScript and jQuery, the book clearly demonstrates how JS works and how to use it successfully with HTML5. The physics and mathematics of animating and game/application programming is explained in simpler terms for those (like me) who don’t consider themselves too technical minded. Read more..

HTML5 Cookbook

The HTML5 Cookbook is very hands-on, making sure you get practical experience with a wide range of new HTML5 elements. It is a must for those wanting to take advantage of the new capabilities HTML5 brings to web development. Each segment in the book deals with a particular HTML5 feature using a problem-solution-discussion method of teaching. It is also jam-packed with plenty of external references for further information. Each segment gets progressively more complex as you follow through the book, with advanced HTML5 subjects and challenges appearing in the later chapters. The one’s a definite read for those with HTML experience and wanting to power ahead with HTML5. Read more..

Sergey’s HTML5 & CSS3: Quick Reference

Sergey’s Quick Reference is a comprehensive ‘cheat sheet’ divided into sections on HTML5 syntax, tags, CSS3 attributes and JavaScript API’s. It is aimed at experienced designers who don’t need tags and fundamentals explained to them in detail. Full of illustrations, and not an extremely large and intimidating reference book, it makes an excellent supplement to a HTML5 for Beginners book. The book is written with no comical quips or philosophical commentary. It simply contains information on syntax, elements, attributes, values, events, key concepts and definitions, and browser compatibility tables, and plenty of sample code.  Read more..

Robin Nixon’s HTML5 Crash Course: Learn HTML & HTML5 in 20 Easy Lectures

Loaded with examples and exercises (which improve your skills dramatically if followed through), this book is a great start if you are familiar with HTML basics and want to get a real understanding of HTML5. It thoroughly covers HTML5 topics such as geolocation, background web works, offline web applications, microdata, local storage engines, new form tags and attributes. It acts as a guide aimed at beginners and covering traditional HTML and JavaScript skills which will be required when working with many of the new HTML5 elements. Well worth it!  Read more..

HTML5 & CSS3 For The Real World

This easy-to-follow guide covers everything you need to know to get started today. It takes on several important topics and explains them in a straight-forward, practical manner. Besides HTML5 and CSS3, it introduces JavaScript/API topics like geolocation, offline web apps, web storage, Canvas, SVG, and drag and drop. One thing to note with this book is that knowledge of the basics of HTML and CSS is assumed and not covered in great depth. This allows it to focus primarily on HTML5 and CSS3 rather than act as a refresher course. As the title suggests, the authors follow a pragmatic, realistic approach using examples that work well in the real world with current popular browsers.  Read more..

The Definitive Guide to HTML5

This ambitious, 1000-page volume covers HTML, CSS, and JavaScript as it relates to HTML. Besides this, it focuses on HTML5 and introduces all its elements and their associated complementary APIs. Surprisingly, the writing style is clear and easy to follow. Plenty of examples and references litter the pages, with complete tables of attributes, functions, elements and methods included where relevant. After the introductory chapters introduce the reader to the basics of the most important web languages, more advanced topics are then covered. These included AJAX, audio/video objects, Canvas and other new elements introduced with HTML5. A very solid book for beginners and more advanced readers alike.  Read more..

Pro HTML5 Programming

This book is, as the title suggests, aimed at developers with plenty of experience and knowledge. It focuses on the latest cutting-edge HTLM5 tricks and techniques to teach its readers how to build fast, responsive and functional web applications. This book does not go too deeply into the fundamentals for beginning students, instead opting to cover new, more advanced HTML5 topics in depth. New elements and topics for HTML5 including SVG, Drag and Drop, Audio/Video, Canvas, etc. are covered in-depth.  Read more..

Pro HTML5 Programming: Powerful APIs for Richer Internet Application Development

This book is targeted at a more advanced audience already familiar with HTML5 and ready to take advantage of what HTML5 has to offer. Serious coding examples and information is succinctly presented throughout the book, answering any questions readers may have on the elements introduced with HTML5. This book is a solid asset for the veterans who want to start using the language today.  Read more..

HTML5: The Missing Manual

The Missing Manual series are great for beginners and students looking to learn their chosen languages. For those new to the scene the reading style is quite simple and easy to follow, with plenty of introductory examples and explanations. Plenty of online resources are mentioned and link throughout the book to help the reader gain a better understanding of the tags and examples given. If you are an experienced reader you should probably grab something a little more advanced. This book is a solid introduction to the language and its use, but not something completely satisfying to those wanting to master HTML5. If you want a beginner-friendly initiation into what HTML5 brings to the table, this book is ideal.  Read more..

HTML5 for Masterminds

This is a massive, well-written book that comes recommended for both beginners and advances users alike. Refreshers on HTML and CSS are included as the HTML5 and CSS3 languages are introduced. The book also introduces and covers JavaScript. However, the majority of the book is spent presenting a ton of examples and material which works with all of these languages. This works well for me as these languages are all intertwined to form the backbone of the majority of websites. The biggest complaint I hear from others is that no index is included, with chapter references a bare substitute. The books complementary website provides plenty of links and resources to act as useful supplement material.  Read more..