Taegan Lion
Computer science is one of the hardest and most intellectually challenging subjects to take. The specialization within it means entire areas are inaccessible to even talented computer scientists.
Here are 20 suggestions of books you should read if you are studying computer science and want to have a more broad understanding of the subject.
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#1 Geek Heresy by Kentaro Toyama
The book makes a convincing case against any idea that computing technologies can save the world, whether it is to improve persistent challenges in education, healthcare, or governance.
It is a caution for overly optimistic computer science students, but it isn't pessimistic -- there are chapters about the best use of technology for social change. The main message is a very sensible one -- that we technologists have to acknowledge the primacy of cultural and political factors in social change.
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Contributor: Jasmit Kaur from Culturebie
#2 Data Visualization Made Simple
In the book, Author explains:
- Describes popular software, platforms, and programming languages used to visualize data
- Presents over 30 types of charts and the insights that they portray
- Describes visual data exploration methods
- Offers practical tips for telling stories with data that will resonate with an audience
- Offers tactics for designing and delivering data presentations, along with common pitfalls and how to avoid them
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Contributor: Valerie Silverman Kerr from VSK Public Relations
#3 Introduction to Algorithms by Thomas H. Cormen
This is a hefty tome- might wanna go to the gym before buying it, because it's tough to carry around. That being said, it's a classic- it's comprehensive, detailed, and required reading by almost every major Computer Science program in the country.
It helps the reader elevate from just being a coder to thinking like a true Computer Scientist. It delves into sorting algorithms, searching algorithms, and everything in between.
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Contributor: Karthik Sridharan from Kinnek
#4 The Mythical Man-Month by Frederick P. Brooks Jr.
Great book by Fred Brooks on the human aspects of software engineering.
It's a seminal work on how human beings influence project completion. It's a must-read for anyone who has an interest in engineering project management.
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Contributor: Karthik Sridharan from Kinnek
#5 Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug
Fantastic primer on the fundamentals of web design. It is an easy, quick read, and is accessible even for non-Computer Scientists. It is a solid introduction to UI/UX and the fundamentals of design, especially for Computer Scientists who have a bent towards front-end / client-side engineering.
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Contributor: Karthik Sridharan from Kinnek
#6 The Code Book by by Simon Singh
This isn't a Computer Science book per se- but I recommend it to all my friends who are even slightly interested in the field. This is because it delves into one of the hottest, most relevant sub-fields of Computer Science today- cryptography.
The term might evoke images of spies in smoke-filled cellars in Vienna or Berlin during the Cold War, but in today's world, cryptography and codebreaking is all about mathematics and computer science.
It's a fun read for history buffs and Computer Scientists alike, and gives a glimpse into how Computer Science changed the course of the 20th century.
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Contributor: Karthik Sridharan from Kinnek
#7 The C Programming Language by Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie
This book, sometimes just referred to by the initials of its authors K&R (Kernighan and Ritchie), is a classic. I almost didn't include it in the list because it's so very focused on a single programming language, C.
But, I think it's still worth reading. It's a bit of computer science history. It gives an insight into how the world thought about programming back in the late 1970s, and gives a great perspective of how similar the concept of software engineering is today from those heady days when C and Unix weren't yet household names.
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Contributor: Karthik Sridharan from Kinnek
#8 The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson
Single most impactful book I've ever read. In a nutshell, you are either advancing or regressing - there is no standing still. Always do SOMETHING to move the needle forward, every little bit of action counts.
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Contributor: Andrew Hatfield from Mesosphere
#9 The Go-Giver by Bob Burg
Using the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success in all you do is a proven way to build long-term relationships that provide two way benefit without anyone needing to win and another lose.
Want to read more reviews of this book or buy it? Check out the links below:
- Listen to this book FREE on Audible with a 30-day trial
- For readers in the USA
- For readers in the UK
Contributor: Andrew Hatfield from Mesosphere
#10 Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson
One of the greatest obstacles faced in information technology is people's resistance to change. Knowing why and how to deal with that resistance is key to being successful in information technology or software development.
Want to read more reviews of this book or buy it? Check out the links below:
- Listen to this book FREE on Audible with a 30-day trial
- For readers in the USA
- For readers in the UK
Contributor: Jacob Ackerman from SkyLink Data Centers
#11 The Phoenix Project by Gene Kim
The Phoenix Project by Gene Kim is a great read for CS students to understand IT and DevOps and the processes involved in developing and delivering software.
These concepts are essential for a software developer to understand. The Phoenix Project informs through a fictional story. The reader learns about the process as the main character is going through them, which is easier to digest than the standard technical process book.
Want to read more reviews of this book or buy it? Check out the links below:
- Listen to this book FREE on Audible with a 30-day trial
- For readers in the USA
- For readers in the UK
Contributor: Robert Kihm from Align
#12 The Soul of A New Machine by Tracy Kidder
History. A wonderful book on how a team built an early mini-computer.
Want to read more reviews of this book or buy it? Check out the links below:
- Listen to this book FREE on Audible with a 30-day trial
- For readers in the USA
- For readers in the UK
Contributor: Chris Byrne from Sensorpro
#13 The Little Book of Stupidity by Sia Mohajer
Cognitive learning. An excellent primer on how bias impacts design thinking.
Want to read more reviews of this book or buy it? Check out the links below:
- Listen to this book FREE on Audible with a 30-day trial
- For readers in the USA
- For readers in the UK
Contributor: Chris Byrne from Sensorpro
#14 Ethical Data and Information Management by Katherine O’Keefe
Privacy. A very new book on ethics in Data management and Privacy by design.
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Contributor: Chris Byrne from Sensorpro
#15 Will Computers Revolt by Charles J Simon
Written by computer scientist, nationally renowned software developer and AI pioneer Charles Simon, Will Computers Revolt? details the future of AI and what/how humanity should prepare for the impending revolution in an easy-to-read style even modern day Luddites could appreciate! Fascinating, informative and easily digestible book every computer science student needs to read today!
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Contributor: Janie Mackenzie from Smith Publicity
#16 Joel on Software by Joel Spolsky
The co-founder of Stack Overflow and creator of Trello shares a collection of insights about software development. This guy knows what he's talking about and anyone looking to work in the industry can learn something about what to expect as a software developer.
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Contributor: Robert Kihm from Align
#17 The Innovators by Walter Isaacson
The Innovators by Walter Isaacson is a well-written history of many of the disruptive innovations in technology, including the people and companies you've heard of, but also others that were doing similar things that failed and few people know about. Isaacson looks at why some are successful and others failed and were forgotten.
He talks about cross-functional teams and the serendipity of interactions that led to success. These ideas inspired major tech companies like Pixar, Apple and Google to rethink things like how they layout their office to see some of the effects Isaacson mentions.
Want to read more reviews of this book or buy it? Check out the links below:
- Listen to this book FREE on Audible with a 30-day trial
- For readers in the USA
- For readers in the UK
Contributor: Robert Kihm from Align
#18 Hooked: How to Build Habit Forming Products by Nir Eyal
How to Build Habit Forming Products by Nir Eyal is really interesting for future developers. He demonstrates how people and companies have created applications (and products) that consumers just can’t put down.
It’s a book about human psychology where developers can learn about the techniques that make people keep coming back and spending time in your application. Once you’ve read it, you’ll never look at Facebook, Tinder and other applications the same way.
Want to read more reviews of this book or buy it? Check out the links below:
- Listen to this book FREE on Audible with a 30-day trial
- For readers in the USA
- For readers in the UK
Contributor: Robert Kihm from Align
#19 Thinking in Systems: A Primer by Donella H. Meadows
It’s a relatively short read but this is one of the go-to books when you need a little inspiration on how your profession (Computer Scientist) can help improve society.
In this book, the author relates our world’s biggest problems such as hunger, poverty, environmental deterioration, etc. to problems encountered by Computer Scientists such as system failures, and how the necessary fixes are closely related. This book delves on the fascinating world of computer science presented in a language that is all too familiar.
This is one of the few books that can help reignite your passion for computer science and how it motivates you to be proactive in improving your craft.
Want to read more reviews of this book or buy it? Check out the links below:
- Listen to this book FREE on Audible with a 30-day trial
- For readers in the USA
- For readers in the UK
Contributor: Sean Si from SEO Hacker
#20 Mac OS X and iOS Internals: To the Apple’s Core
This book is expensive but it dives deep into how iOS and Mac work and how you can exploit it. Definitely worth a read if you are into information security research.
Plus, Levin is an accomplished security researcher and also has an active forum that anyone who's willing to learn about iOS and macOS can join.
Want to read more reviews of this book or buy it? Check out the links below:
Contributor: Luca Romano from Yalu Jailbreak
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