Top Python books curated by experts

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

  • Curated by industry experts
  • Proven learning resources
  • Updated annually
Top Python books recommended by experts
User Check

Did you know?

We have over 3,000 mentors available right now!

Fundamentals of Python

Understanding the concepts of Python 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.

Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python

Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python

Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python teaches you how to program in the Python language. Each chapter gives you the complete source code for a new game, and then teaches the programming concepts from the examples. Games include Guess the Number, Hangman, Tic Tac Toe, and Reversi.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Head First Python: A Brain-Friendly Guide

Head First Python: A Brain-Friendly Guide

Why does this book look so different? Based on the latest research in cognitive science and learning theory, Head First Pythonuses a visually rich format to engage your mind, rather than a text heavy approach that puts you to sleep. Why waste your time struggling with new concepts? This multi se…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Grokking Algorithms: An Illustrated Guide for Programmers and Other Curious People

Grokking Algorithms: An Illustrated Guide for Programmers and Other Curious People

Grokking Algorithms is a friendly take on this core computer science topic. In it, you'll learn how to apply common algorithms to the practical programming problems you face every day. You'll start with tasks like sorting and searching.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Python Crash Course: A Hands-on, Project-based Introduction to Programming

Python Crash Course: A Hands-on, Project-based Introduction to Programming

Python Crash Course is a fast-paced, thorough introduction to programming with Python that will have you writing programs, solving problems, and making things that work in no time.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Practical Statistics for Data Scientists: 50+ Essential Concepts Using R and Python

Practical Statistics for Data Scientists: 50+ Essential Concepts Using R and Python

Statistical methods are a key part of data science, yet few data scientists have formal statistical training. Courses and books on basic statistics rarely cover the topic from a data science perspective. The second edition of this popular guide adds comprehensive examples in Python, provides pra…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Hands-On Machine Learning with Scikit-Learn and TensorFlow: Concepts, Tools, and Techniques to Build Intelligent Systems

Hands-On Machine Learning with Scikit-Learn and TensorFlow: Concepts, Tools, and Techniques to Build Intelligent Systems

This practical book shows you how. By using concrete examples, minimal theory, and two production-ready Python frameworks―scikit-learn and TensorFlow―author Aurélien Géron helps you gain an intuitive understanding of the concepts and tools for building intelligent systems.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Additional Python Reading

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

Tiny Python Projects: Learn Coding and Testing with Puzzles and Games

Tiny Python Projects: Learn Coding and Testing with Puzzles and Games

The 21 fun-but-powerful activities in Tiny Python Projects teach Python fundamentals through puzzles and games. You'll be engaged and entertained with every exercise, as you learn about text manipulation, basic algorithms, and lists and dictionaries, and other foundational programming skills.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Effective Python: 59 Specific Ways to Write Better Python

Effective Python: 59 Specific Ways to Write Better Python

Effective Python, 59 Ways to Write Better Python by Brett Slatkin is a neat little book to help you hone your Python skills (both for 2 and 3). It consists of tips across various concepts, from useful built-in modules to documentation.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Head First Python

Head First Python

Head First Python, you'll quickly grasp Python's fundamentals, working with the built-in data structures and functions. Then you'll move on to building your very own webapp, exploring database management, exception handling, and data wrangling.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Serious Python: Black-Belt Advice on Deployment, Scalability, Testing, and More

Serious Python: Black-Belt Advice on Deployment, Scalability, Testing, and More

An indispensable collection of practical tips and real-world advice for tackling common Python problems and taking your code to the next level. Features interviews with high-profile Python developers who share their tips, tricks, best practices, and real-world advice gleaned from years of experi…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Machine Learning with PyTorch and Scikit-Learn: Develop Machine Learning and Deep Learning Models with Python

Machine Learning with PyTorch and Scikit-Learn: Develop Machine Learning and Deep Learning Models with Python

Machine Learning with PyTorch and Scikit-Learn is a comprehensive guide to machine learning and deep learning with PyTorch. It acts as both a step-by-step tutorial and a reference you'll keep coming back to as you build your machine learning systems.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Python for Data Analysis: Data Wrangling with pandas, NumPy, and Jupyter

Python for Data Analysis: Data Wrangling with pandas, NumPy, and Jupyter

Get the definitive handbook for manipulating, processing, cleaning, and crunching datasets in Python. Updated for Python 3.10 and pandas 1.4, the third edition of this hands-on guide is packed with practical case studies that show you how to solve a broad set of data analysis problems effectivel…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Specializations and Deeper Python Knowledge

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

Python Cookbook: Recipes for Mastering Python 3

Python Cookbook: Recipes for Mastering Python 3

This book is aimed at more experienced Python programmers who are looking to deepen their understanding of the language and modern programming idioms. Much of the material focuses on some of the more advanced techniques used by libraries, frameworks, and applications.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

This list is curated by MentorCruise and can include Amazon affiliate links. Have any other suggestions? Add here.

Augment your Python books

There is no better source of accountability and motivation than having a personal mentor. What used to be impossible to find is now just two clicks away! All mentors are vetted & hands-on!

Still not convinced? Don't just take our word for it

We've already delivered 1-on-1 mentorship to thousands of students, professionals, managers and executives. Even better, they've left an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 for our mentors.

Find a Python mentor