8 Books To Help You Become a Great JavaScript Developer

Introduction

If you want to become a great JavaScript developer, here are the books to read. These will give you a strong foundation for software development, career progression, and specific Javascript knowledge.

Foundational Knowledge

1. Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software

It starts with flashlights blinking through windows, moves to Morse code, introduces electrical relays and demonstrates how they can be connected to form logic gates, then uses those gates to construct an ALU/counter/RAM and multiplexors. It goes on to describe the development of an assembly language and the utilization of input and output devices.

This book will fill the holes in your understanding of how computers work at the base level.

2. Code Complete: A Practical Handbook of Software Construction, Second Edition

Many consider this book to be the best practical guide to software development. It will provide you with a foundational idea on how to "construct" software that includes detailed design, coding, debugging, integration and developer testing. This book can be long and sometimes dry. And some advice is obvious. But it will help give you more confidence when constructing software, when giving code reviews, and when forming a culture of good habits on your team.

JavaScript Knowledge

3. Eloquent JavaScript, 3rd Edition: A Modern Introduction to Programming

This book will give you a complete and thorough knowledge of JavaScript. It spans a large amount of material, including javascript syntax, asynchronous programming, node.js, and data immutability. The author dedicates chapters for most of these topics, but many are encapsulated within the context of a problem that needs to be solved instead of being formally discussed.

4. JavaScript: The Good Parts

A second book that will give you a deep knowledge of JavaScript and will give you a sense of which parts of JavaScript to use, which parts to not use, and which parts to be wary of. Simple as that!

Career Progression

5. The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master

The Pragmatic Programmer is a book full of a series of articles containing tips that are meant for programmers who want to be effective and efficient, have team members they need to work with and want to constantly update and groom their skills to advance their career. It is an essential read for anyone who wants a fulfilling career in software development.

6. The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering

This book will give you insights into the nuts and bolts that exist behind large, complex software projects. The wisdom in this book has become so ingrained in the software development industry that people quote it without even realizing it.

Soft Skills

7. Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability

A very helpful usability manual that doesn't read like a textbook. This book is focused on user experience and will give you important lessons on making things for your end-user as simple as possible. Approaching software development with these ideas will help you build things users love to use!

8. How to Win Friends & Influence People

Working with others is a key part of being a software developer. This book will address specific behaviors you should be using with people and give you a guide on how to deal with situations in any type of work environment you may find yourself in.

Build Something Cool & Share It!

Reading books will be extremely helpful for becoming a great JavaScript developer. But, at the end of the day, you need to build things and constantly push the edges of your knowledge. There is no substitute.

And when you are done building something, share it! Keeping a continuous cycle of learning<=> building<=> sharing will keep you growing at a consistent rate.

Did we miss anything? Or think there should have been additional or different books included? Let me know in the comments!