Tap to Read ➤

10 Must-Read Books on Web Development

Lisa Smith
Whether you are a well-established professional or a student of a web development based course, chances are that you are on a constant lookout for new sources of learning. Books may not be the first place your mind wanders when it comes to a digital, technical medium such as web development.
However, books offer a lot of guidance and collected information difficult to find all in one spot on the web. With that in mind, let’s take a look at several must-read titles on web development which will help you learn new skills and reaffirm those you are familiar with.

1. Front-End Web Development

Front-End Web Development Starting off our list, we have a self-explanatory title which focuses on front-end development processes and issues. The book is designed with both juniors and experienced coders in mind, meaning that each chapter covers a different part of the development process.

2. Web Design with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and jQuery

Web Design with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and jQuery
Even though the title might be a mouthful, this book comes in a two-piece set and is a must for anyone who juggles multiple coding languages. Both books were written by the same author, Jon Duckett, who applied his extensive professional experience to a written project of a sizable scale.

3. Don’t Make Me Think

Since we’ve started with titles which are self-explanatory, we can continue the trend with a UX-centric title. This is a book targeted at User Experience (UX) nuances. You can use this book to find better ways to organize your UI elements, make landing pages more organized, as well as to create a clearer user’s journey for your web development projects.

4. The Clean Coder

When it comes to teamwork, web developers are often left on the sidelines. The profession simply leans towards individual work and doesn’t typically lend toward team-based coding. However, that is not to say that web developers should be anti-social or individualistic towards their colleagues.

5. Designing with the Mind in Mind

User Interface (UI) design plays a pivotal role in whether or not a web development project is a success. And while most professional web designers and coders know how to design appealing UIs “by heart”, it’s still a good idea to follow some general rules. This book was created with UI design principles in conjunction with web development in mind.

6. Deep Work

Any web developer out there will tell you that their projects take months to complete. Segmenting each project into milestones is a must if you want to maximize your output and focus on the work at hand. This title aims to help you with project organization, work management and mental focus.

7. Secrets of the JavaScript Ninja

When it comes to coding languages in web development, JavaScript ranks among the most difficult ones to comprehend. It is a complex but valuable language to apply to your projects but without proper guidance, it may turn sour for you.

8. Above the Fold

You don’t need to have a graphic design degree to develop great websites as a coder. However, some principles of visual layout and communication should be followed in order to make the most out of your work.

9. Smashing Book

As a series of books which span from the early web design tutorials to responsive design coding, Smashing Book is a must for web development professionals. William Jameson, web designer at Studicus.com says: “I tend to have a copy of Smashing Book on both my home office desk and work station. It helps me maintain good productivity since.”
You don’t have to read the series in order, instead, you can opt for whichever category of web development you are most interested in. As the title suggests, the series aims to “smash” the barriers between design theory and practical application, which makes it perfect for casual readers and professionals alike.

10. Clout

Lastly, let’s take a look at a book which can help you put all of your knowledge together in order to create something people will want to use. Clout is an example of a web development book centered on user interaction with the final product.
It teaches developers how to edit out unnecessary code in order to make a website faster. The book also covers techniques on how to stay informed about trending web design principles and how to integrate the final web development product with the World Wide Web in the best possible way.

In Summary

It’s always a good idea to have a book handy for dire situations. Even though you can always find online tutorials and seek answers to your questions on forums, technical literature can make up for all of that check out each book and gauge whether or not you might be able to apply it to your own projects and workflow.