10 Best Java Books for 2024

Best Java Books for Beginners

1. Head First Java 

Authors: Kathy Sierra & Bert Bates

Cost: $38.50

Head First Java is referred to as the Java programming bible by most readers and is probably the best Java book for beginners. It contains all the essential Java programming subjects - classes, threads, objects, collection, and language features. The information is presented in visually rich formats containing puzzles and games, which makes Java very easy to understand. Additionally, it also comprises a number of interviews with professional Java programmers who share their secrets to Java so that beginners can learn it faster. If you’re completely new to Java, this is the first book worth investing in.

2. Java: A Beginner’s Guide

Author: Herbert Schildt

Cost: $35.68

Another perfect book for beginners is Java: A Beginner’s Guide by Herbert Schildt. It covers all the fundamentals of Java, followed by tests and puzzles to test your knowledge. You will also find lots of Q&As from professional Java programmers who give insights related to issues most beginners face. Best of all, it is written in a clear, crisp, and simple style for easy learning.

3. Java for Dummies 

Author:  Barry A. Burd

Cost: $48

Java for Dummies is a great beginner’s guide to Java programming that teaches you how to create basic Java objects and when you should simply reuse existing code. The biggest advantage of this book is its abundance of images and screenshots that visually explains how Java code is executed on the CPU. This book also explains the differences between byte code and source code generated by the compiler. 

4. Effective Java 

Author: Joshua Bloch

Cost: $42.49

Effective Java is a must-have book for entry-level and advanced programmers alike. It contains numerous programming issues encountered by every programmer and concrete explanations on how to solve them. Whenever you feel stuck programming, this book shifts your perspective to handling any problem. The best part about this new edition is that it is updated with all the latest concepts for Java 7, 8, and 9. 

5. Head First Design Patterns 

Author: Eric Freeman

Cost: $32.38

Understanding design patterns is a valuable skill for any Java programmer out there. Head First Design Patterns covers many useful tools and exercises for a faster understanding of design patterns. It includes lessons learned by professionals who have faced the same software design problems. If you are a beginner looking to learn core design patterns and object-oriented design principles, this book is for you.

Best Java Books for Experienced Developers

6. Spring in Action 

Author: Craig Walls and Ryan Breidenbach

Cost: $39.51

Spring Framework is a Java platform that provides infrastructure support for developing applications. Spring in Action will guide you through Spring’s core features and help you build secure Java applications step-by-step. You will also learn about microservices, reactive programming, RESTful APIs, service discovery, and best practices from experts. It also contains the latest Spring best practices, including Spring Boot to set up and configure applications. Whether you’re a beginner in Spring or trying to level up, this classic book is your ticket!

7. Clean Code 

Author: Robert C. Martin

Cost: $25.33

Clean Code is another classic for Java programmers. Anyone can learn to code, but it takes practice to write clean code. When code is poorly written, you can lose countless hours and significant resources. This book teaches you to read code and challenges you to think about what’s right and wrong about that code. It is divided into three parts - principles, patterns, and practices of writing clean code, case studies in cleaning up code, and the heuristics gathered while creating the case studies. 

8. Test Driven: TDD and Acceptance TDD for Java Developers 

Author: Lasse Koskela

Cost: $28.78

If you are a Java developer looking to write unique automation testing programs, Test-Driven: TDD and Acceptance TDD for Java Developers is an excellent resource. It explores the techniques and mindset of both Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD) using examples in Java and the Java EE environment. It offers effective and less well-known techniques for both beginners and advanced TDD developers.

9. Test-Driven Java Development

Author: Alex Garcia and Viktor Farcic

Cost: $49.99

Test-Driven Java Development will help you embrace all the techniques of TDD with Java in your day-to-day routine. It contains a number of practical problems, each one designed to help you understand every aspect of TDD. You will also learn about refractor old legacy code, working with mocks, designing simple code, and utilizing behavior-driven development. If you are a professional Java developer looking to implement more effective methods of programming systems and applications, this is the book for you.

10. Thinking in Java 

Author: Bruce Eckel

Cost: $9.99

Thinking in Java is considered as one of the most complete Java books containing everything from the fundamentals to advanced topics. The latest edition covers several topics of Java 8 features in detail. It serves as an excellent resource for intermediate and advanced developers serious about object-oriented programming. 

Ready to Learn More?

Most of these Java books offer detailed and in-depth subject knowledge to enhance your knowledge in this field. Although you won’t turn into a professional coder overnight just by reading these Java books, they will definitely help you in enhancing your knowledge of Java.  If you want to learn more, you can sign up for Simplilearn’s Post Graduate Program in Full Stack Web Development in collaboration with Caltech CTME to accelerate your career as a software developer. This course will help you master both front-end and back-end Java technologies, starting with the basics and progressing to the advanced aspects of full-stack web development. Sign up for this course today and become a full-stack technologist!