Taking into account the fact that nowadays we find ourselves in a world that is constantly developing at a fast pace, and being up to date of all the recent novelties in the domain of programming means barely everything, we decided to enumerate the best 10 Java books that will help you improve your programming skills. If you have never had experience in programming, this article is also for you since it lists some books that can assist you to become a Java developer within a short period of time. In order to provide an objective opinion on the following books, we provide some reviews on the content quantity as well as its relevancy.

1. Head First Java, 2nd Edition

It’s unsubtle that while learning a new programming language you might face various difficulties, in particular when it comes to object-oriented programming. However, it’s not about your intellectual abilities, but more about the complexity of the subject.

We all know that our brain constantly longs for something new, right? Besides, we are aware of the fact that it continuously performs a huge amount of processes to sustain our organism as a whole. Therefore, the Head First Java took into account the complexity of our brain as well as its main function principles to simplify the process of studying a new programming language. This outstanding book gained its popularity due to numerous factors. First of all, as we have already mentioned, the way it delivers information is extremely reader-friendly, since it contains various engaging visuals and makes complex things simple. Thus, you get a perfect combination of profound studying of Java and real fun. Besides, the book contains relevant content for developers of different ranks, touching upon diverse threats, network sockets, distributed programming with RMI, etc. Therefore, everyone can suck out an advantage out of it. Head First Java second edition thoroughly covers Java 5.0 and provides you with the opportunity to get familiar with the all recent updates to the platform. In case you have already known the Head First book before, there is no doubt you are aware of its significance. However, if you haven’t, we encourage you to do so since the book doesn’t just explain to you how to use the syntax, but it provides you with the possibility to learn how to think like a Java programmer. Provided you are interested in learning in an efficient and fun manner, this is the right book for you to choose, otherwise look for something else. To get an objective view on how good this book is, let’s check out what its readers say about it:

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2. Effective Java (2nd Edition)

The second book we would like to touch upon is Effective Java, Second Edition. If you are looking for a practical guide which can provide you with a deep insight into what Java programming is, then you will definitely find this book useful. By reading it, you will be able to learn how to avoid various problems as well as mistakes that occur during writing your code, making it much clearer. In fact, a huge number of developers have been waiting for the new update of the book since, apart from being a Jolt Award-winning work, the book is renowned for its comprehensive explanation of Java SE 5 and Java SE 6. Besides, it covers various design patterns as well as language idioms that have recently appeared in the world of Java, allowing you to master these new opportunities to provide a better performance. As we have already mentioned this book represents practical aspects of Java programming, therefore in order to make the studying process as smooth as possible, the author structures his thoughts in the following way: each chapter comprises topics that share light upon practical advice on how to do things right, what you should to evade common mistakes, and why you shouldn’t do it the other way around.

The book emphasizes on:

• New coverage of generics, enums, annotations, autoboxing, concurrency utilities etc;
• Newly presented approaches and outstanding experience of great developers regarding to serialization, libraries, methods, etc;
• What you should do to make sure you don’t find yourself in a trap of misunderstanding subtleties of Java;
• java.lang, java.util, java.util.concurrent and java.io

So, as you might have understood Effective Java™, Second Edition, is a powerful book that provides you with practical knowledge that will definitely come in handy during the process of writing a clear and efficient code.

That’s what readers say about it:

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3. Head First Design Patterns 1st Edition

Why Design Patterns matter?

Basically, we might call this book “The source of experience”. Why? Simply because the book contains all the mistakes that have been made by other developers, thus forming a huge number of “standardized” design patterns that evade common errors, saving a great deal of your time. Besides, Head First Design Pattern has been updated to cover Java 8 and its new specific features. Consequently, provided you use design patterns you’ve got fantastic and time-proven experience which you might use to create reusable, elegant, functional software.

Why is Head First Design Patterns 1st Edition so significant?

Since we all know Head First as a great information deliver which bears in mind the peculiarities of our brain and its function principles, this book is not an exception. The author does its best to let you absorb tons of information within a short period of time, applying different visuals in combination with reader-friendly texts. As a result, we assure you that you won’t fall asleep while reading the book.

What you’ll find in Head First Design Patterns, 2014:

Readers’ opinion:

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4. Beginning Programming with Java For Dummies 4th Edition

A practical introduction to programming with Java You are a novice to Java programming, and you have no idea how everything works? So, you have knocked the right door since this book is what you have been looking for to start your programmer career. What is Beginning Programming with Java For Dummies, 4th Edition? In essence, this is an indispensable assistant in learning the subject because it offers a great deal of thorough and clear explanations on fundamental development concepts as well as techniques. Having read the book, you will be able to write a program in an appropriate manner, to easily avoid common mistakes of newcomers to Java programming, and to cope with some challenges that you face on your way. The Fourth Edition offers you a deep insight into Java 8, covering new opportunities that have been added to the platform. Thus, you will be able to make the most of the recent tools and techniques.

It’s quite unsubtle that nowadays the demand for application development is extremely high, and Java in this game plays an irreplaceable role due to its widely usage to develop various Android and cloud applications. It doesn’t matter if you are just tooling around, or you do want to start a new career with Java, the book provides you with a benign environment for fundamental precious knowledge of Java. Besides, you will be surprised by its gradual, decent, and at the same time simple explanations on Java basics.

Beginning Programming with Java For Dummies, 4th Edition covers the following topics:

• Practice makes perfect. Therefore you will be given practical cases to utilise  Java toolkit;
• Familiarization with the overload of conditions, statements, information, etc.
• What is the difference between loops and arrays, methods and variables, object and classes.

Apart from the aforementioned topics touched upon in Beginning Programming with Java For Dummies, 4th Edition, it offers you additional reliable resources to master the language and provides links to other programming languages.

To summarize everything that we have just covered in this paragraph, we would like to say that by reading the book, you will learn:

• How to utilize fundamental development concepts and basic techniques with Java
• How to debug your Java programs and write efficient code
• How to operate files on your computer’s hard drive
• How you can apply the most recent Java 8 updates

So, if you have decided to become a serious and decent Java programmer, we do encourage you to start your Java journey right from this book.

Readers’ opinion:

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5. Data Structures and Algorithms Made Easy in Java: Data Structure and Algorithmic Puzzles, Second Edition

When we talk about Data Structures and Algorithms Made Easy in Java: Data Structure and Algorithmic Puzzles, Second Edition it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand what this book deals with. In fact, it’s considered as being a rather outstanding one its simplicity and profoundness. If you have any problem related to data structures and algorithms this is what you are seeking. And we have no doubt you will find a solution.

Data Structures And Algorithms Made Easy in Java relatively is not new to the public since it’s been on the market for 5 years. By the way, in case you need to get ready for you your exam, campus work, or interview, the book will certainly come in handy, providing you with useful information, described in a brain-friendly manner. Apart from having a Java coding version, you can enjoy C/C++ one. Therefore, you are looking for a solution to algorithmic problems or you’ve got trapped in the complexity of data structure, you should definitely take advantage of Data Structures And Algorithms Made Easy in Java: Data Structure and Algorithmic Puzzles, Second Edition.

So, the book comprises approximately 21 chapters which cover a huge variety of topics that will help you master the Java programming language, they are:

And now, let’s take a look what its readers think about it:

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6. Java Concurrency in Practice 1st Edition

No doubt that in order to master a certain subject you need to spend a great deal of time on that. Moreover, since we observe constant and rapid development of programming nowadays, new things come to appear that dramatically change the way we apply programming languages. Therefore, we should be up to date.

And in fact, we might consider concurrency as being one of such relatively new phenomenon which is to be studied well. Since multiprocessors came in wide usage, the necessity of the aforementioned subject becomes fundamental for creating high-performance applications. Due to the appearance of SE 5 and SE 6, which have dramatically improved Java Virtual Machine, we’ve got even more opportunities to develop decent concurrent applications, because with its help we are able to take advantage of highly scalable concurrent classes and a great number of concurrency building blocks that previously had not been available. What is engaging about the book Java Concurrency in Practice is that its authors, apart from clarifying the principal functions of these new facilities, and explaining how to apply them, they do shed light upon design patterns behind them.

However, what is so difficult about multithreaded programs? You might say that it’s quite easy to create them, and you are absolutely right, but let’s not forget that during production process, you might find lot of pitfalls and inappropriate functioning due to heavy load, for instant. Therefore, Java Concurrency in Practice provides its readers with theoretical knowledge on how to build scalable concurrent apps as well as offers you tons of practical techniques that ensure maintainability and reliability of your programs.

In short, the book is not about just showing you some concurrency APIs and mechanisms, but it rather explains to you what are design rules and patterns which are to be applied to create decent, well-functioning, and high-performance concurrent applications.

Java Concurrency in Practice touches upon the following topics:

Let’s take a look what its readers say about the book:

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7. OCA: Oracle Certified Associate Java SE 8 Programmer I Study Guide: Exam 1Z0-808 1st Edition

In case you are looking for a book to get ready for the OCA Java Programmer exam, this is exactly what you need to succeed. This powerful guide contains all relevant material which is to be studied when one is willing to take the exam. It clearly explains functional programming which has been recently added as a new requirement to pass OCA Java SE 8 Programmer I exam (1ZO-808). Besides, having read the book, you will know exactly what to expect and what you should focus on, laying down a great fundament for positive results of your examination. Once you finish reading the book, you will be able to efficiently use Java to develop decent high-performance solutions.

Topics covered:

• What are operators, loops, and conditions and how to apply them in programming;
• Get a handle on object-oriented design patterns and its principles;
• Basics of functional programming.

Readers’ opinion:

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8.Java: The Complete Reference, Ninth Edition 9th Edition

Worth-reading Java Programming Guide As the majority of other Java books, this one has been also updated to the Java SE 8 to provide you with relevant information only. However, Java: The Complete Reference, Ninth Edition is renowned not for shedding light upon just some novelties in the world of programming, but also it  explains in detailed manner how to develop Java programs from scratch, what are debugging and compiling processes, etc. Having read the book, you will be able to code in Java, already knowing its syntax, keywords, and specific features. Besides, it includes a great deal of Java API library, which will definitely come in handy when you start programming. To make sure you know what JavaBeans, applets, servlets, and Swing are, the book offers a lot of practical instants that cover all the aforementioned Java components. Apart from it, you will learn some recently added features to Java SE like lambda expressions, the default interface method as well as stream library. For you to get familiar with JavaFX, the authors tried to do their best to make this process as smooth as possible.

Reader’s opinion:

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9. Head First Android Development 1st Edition

What will you learn from this book?

Let’s imagine you’ve got a great idea for creating a formidable Android application. So, what should you do next? How to bring it to life? And the answer to these questions is Head First Android Development 1st Edition. With its help, you will be able to create your first jiffy app without any difficulty since the book thoroughly explains application structure principles, database and design interface creation as well as what to do to ensure mobile-friendliness of your application. This book will be your personal assistant in becoming a great Android developer and we are sure that you will never regret buying it.

Why does this book look so different?

Head First publisher is renowned for its brain-friendly information delivery approach, therefore this will not be a kinda torture for you to read it, on the contrary you will enjoy it. The main goal of the authors is to teach you in the most engaging manner, not to make you fall asleep while reading. In fact, to implement such approach they have applied the most recent surveys in cognitive science and learning theory for you to be able to perceive the information written. Try it and enjoy it.

Let’s see what readers of Head First Android Development 1st Edition say about the book:

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10. Java How to Program (Early Objects) , Tenth Edition

To finish our list of outstanding Java books, we would like to introduce Java How to Program (Early Objects), Tenth Edition. Actually, it is considered as one of the most popular books, recommended by university professors to their students, since it covers all the fundamental concepts of object-oriented programming in a clear and reader-friendly way, presenting a huge deal of real-world examples. Besides, it lays down a solid fundament for intermediate Java studies, touching upon rather profound aspects of object-oriented programming.

Let’s see what its readers think about this book:

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Conclusion

As you see there is a great deal of Java books out there, however we have tried to pick the best ones for you so that you could easily learn and develop your programming skills with the help of experienced developers. Certainly, each book contains its own peculiarities and specific features, therefore you should just find out which one fits you the best. The only thing we are positive about is that constant development is a key to success, that’s why take advantage of this list and become better than you were yesterday.

In case you need a piece of advice, we’ll always be glad to help you.