Top Computer Science books recommended by experts

At MentorCruise, we are all about making the most out of the experience of others. As part of that, we've connected and asked dozens of experts and professionals about their favourite Computer Science books – and here are the answers.

Table of Contents

Fundamentals of Computer Science

Understanding the concepts of Computer Science starts with understanding the fundamentals. On your way to mastery, it's crucial for you to understand how certain concepts were derived, and why things work like they do. Starting with these resources is the best way to do so.

Designing Data-Intensive Applications: The Big Ideas Behind Reliable, Scalable, and Maintainable Systems

Data is at the center of many challenges in system design today. Difficult issues need to be figured out, such as scalability, consistency, reliability, efficiency, and maintainability. In addition, we have an overwhelming variety of tools, including relational databases, NoSQL datastores, stream or batch processors, and message brokers. What are the right choices for your application? How do …

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Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid

Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid, also known as GEB, is a 1979 book by Douglas Hofstadter. By exploring common themes in the lives and works of logician Kurt Gödel, artist M. C. Escher, and composer Johann Sebastian Bach, the book expounds concepts fundamental to mathematics, symmetry, and intelligence.

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Data Science for Business: What You Need to Know about Data Mining and Data-Analytic Thinking

Written by renowned data science experts Foster Provost and Tom Fawcett, Data Science for Business introduces the fundamental principles of data science, and walks you through the "data-analytic thinking" necessary for extracting useful knowledge and business value from the data you collect. This guide also helps you understand the many data-mining techniques in use today.Based on an MBA cours…

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Excel Formulas QuickStudy Laminated Study Guide (QuickStudy Computer)

Guide to developing and using functions and formulas in Excel. This clear and concise coverage of the ins and outs of formula creation and use touches on many forms of math from statistics & trig to financial math. The sheer volume and wealth of information in these 6 pages is equal to 30 pages or more from your average book on the same subject. Includes screenshots.

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Cracking the coding interview

"Cracking the Coding Interview" presents problems requiring versatile reasoning and proposes multiple solution approaches. It encourages readers to develop multiple solutions for each problem. The book provides explanations, example problems, and solutions to solve coding interview questions related to these topics.

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Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach

“Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach” goes beyond the basics and delves into advanced topics in AI. It covers natural language processing, an area concerned with enabling computers to understand and generate human language. The book explores techniques for parsing, semantic analysis, and machine translation.

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Additional Computer Science Reading

These books are not required for you to learn Computer Science, but they are highly recommended for you to deepen your knowledge.

Beginning Programming All-In-One Desk Reference for Dummies

So you want to be a programmer? Or maybe you just want to be able to make your computer do what YOU want for a change? Maybe you enjoy the challenge of identifying a problem and solving it. If programming intrigues you for whatever reason, Beginning Programming All In One Desk Reference For Dummies is like having a starter programming library all in one handy, if beefy, book.

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Coders at Work

This is a who's who in the programming world - a fascinating look at how some of the best in the world do their work. Patterned after the best selling Founders at Work, the book represents two years of interviews with some of the top programmers of our times.

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Windows 11 For Dummies, 2nd Edition

With millions of copies sold over 18 editions, Windows For Dummies is the all-time best selling tech reference―and there’s a reason. Windows 11 For Dummies, 2nd Edition brings you up to speed on the latest version of Windows, so you can make your PC operate the way you need it to with no guesswork. This straightforward and approachable resource helps you keep your PC or laptop humming, helping…

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Practical Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science Using Python 3.6

The authors of "Practical Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science Using Python 3.6" make clear the distinction between programming and computer science. This book offers an introduction to both, but will take the novice much further down the path of computer programming.

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Computer Networking: Principles, Protocols, and Practice

Computer Networking : Principles, Protocols and Practice is an open-source ebook that explains the main principles of Computer Networking and the key protocols that are used on the Internet. The ebook is intended to be used for an upper-level undergraduate networking course.

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Cryptography Made Simple

In this introductory textbook the author explains the key topics in cryptography. He takes a modern approach, where defining what is meant by "secure" is as important as creating something that achieves that goal, and security definitions are central to the discussion throughout.

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Specializations and Deeper Computer Science Knowledge

You've got your basics in order – time to move on to some advanced and specialized concepts. Computer Science is evolving every day, these books can help you master it.

The Pragmatic Programmer: Your Journey To Mastery, 20th Anniversary Edition (2nd Edition)

The Pragmatic Programmer is one of those rare tech books you’ll read, re-read, and read again over the years. Whether you’re new to the field or an experienced practitioner, you’ll come away with fresh insights each and every time.
Dave Thomas and Andy Hunt wrote the first edition of this influential book in 1999 to help their clients create better software and rediscover the joy of coding.…

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I’m a statistician by profession and a programmer by hobby with a Master’s Degree in Business Analytics. With more than 14 years of professional experience my main interests are in the field of Data Science particularly in forecasting methods. I’m looking to improve my knowledge in advanced modelling tools like …

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