Top 10 Books for IT Beginners in 2023

• • The books listed in this article offer everything from coding skills to industry knowledge to advice on navigating the next generation of IT.
  • Here’s a look at our 2023 top 10 IT books for beginners. 

Top 10 IT Books in 2023

Beginner books are a great way to kickstart your career in any domain. Your mileage may vary depending on reading preference and IT career track, but we think these are 10 of the best books for your buck in 2023.

1. ITIL for Beginners

The IT infrastructure library (ITIL) remains one of the most widely-used IT service management frameworks. It has gone through multiple revisions to keep pace with changing technology requirements. In 2019, ITIL v4 was released — it is designed to help IT teams navigate both agile and DevOps process methodologies.

ITIL for Beginners is a great starting point if you’re looking to start a career in the industry. With an easy-to-understand framework and layout, this book lets you jump right into ITIL.

Why it makes the list: ITIL for beginners offers a straightforward introduction to this framework and its approach to the five major IT lifecycle stages, along with the processes and key performance indicators that make up each stage.

2. ITSM QuickStart Guide

IT service management (ITSM) connects business and technology processes to help improve IT service delivery. The ITSM QuickStart guide examines the different theories and metrics of ITSM. 

With ITSM continually evolving to meet emerging service standards, this book looks at the foundational concepts that connect all service management approaches. 

Why it makes the list: Along with the basics of ITSM, this QuickStart guide also speaks about the role of ITIL in ITSM and the evolution of specific ITSM frameworks, including ISO and eTOM.

Also Read: 5 Hottest Tech Jobs To Go For in 2023

3. Blockchain for Beginners

It’s not just for cryptocurrency. Blockchain makes it possible to create a set of connected transactions that rely on public ledgers to ensure accuracy. This eliminates the need for transaction intermediaries since any attempt to alter transaction data will be flagged by others in the blockchain. 

The challenge? 

Blockchain is often hard to quantify and define. Blockchain for Beginners provides a simple and succinct understanding of blockchain and how it fits into the larger IT environment. 

Why it makes the list: Given the overlap of crypto with blockchain, it’s worth understanding the role of blockchain at scale and how it can positively impact IT operations. 

4. Think Like a Programmer: An Introduction to Creative Problem Solving

Written back in 2012, this book is still a great starting point for prospective programmers. With an introduction to multiple programming languages, it’s worth a read to get a sense of which language best suits your skill set. 

The book also takes aim at one of the core coding concepts: Creativity. While technical skill is a must-have, programmers must also be able to think outside the box.

Why it makes the list: Great coding isn’t just about technical knowledge. It’s also about a creative, problem-solving mindset that’s prepared to handle potential setbacks. This book does a great job of helping readers master that mindset.

5. Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship

Agile software development is now a key component of effective IT environments. With companies looking to deploy new apps and services ASAP, the agile approach is critical for success. 

Clean Code helps new and experienced programmers find ways to streamline their work and embrace the agile method.

Why it makes the list: Along with an introduction to agile methodology, this book teaches readers how to separate good code from bad code, rewrite bad code into well-functioning code, and test code to ensure it’s built to last.

Also Read: Computer Programmer: Job Description, Key Skills, and Salary in 2023

6. HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites

HTML and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) are used in conjunction to create great websites. This book helps readers learn basic HTML and CSS skills to build simple, approachable, and attractive websites.

Given the number of startup companies now using free website builders to launch their brands, it’s worth reading HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites to simplify the process of getting these websites up and running.

Why it makes the list: Even if you don’t want to become a programmer, having basic HTML and CSS knowledge can help you solve website issues independently, rather than submitting IT tickets and waiting for a response. 

7. Python Crash Course: A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming

For the last two years, Python has topped the charts as the most-used programming language. This book takes a fun approach to learning Python to help beginners get started and avoid getting frustrated. 

By opting for hands-on, project-based work rather than dry and dull text, the Python Crash Course helps engage readers in coding from the minute they pick up the book.

Why it makes the list: This book teaches you how to make a Python app you can actually use and shows you how to apply Python across websites, video games, and other applications.

8. Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code

Historically, computer code could be written and understood by very few people. Today, there’s a growing push to write code that even non-technical staff can understand. 

This book helps IT professionals rethink how they write code and create new habits to develop more flexible code. 

It also aims at the design of current code and explains different ways developers could approach this code to make it more malleable.

Why it makes the list: The new generation of code prioritizes people rather than computers. As a result, refactoring code to be more user-friendly is now critical.

9. Artificial Intelligence Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction

AI has been an industry buzzword for the past few years but is now seeing significant real-world adoption. This book offers a non-tech introduction to the concept to help set you up for success in using new AI tools. 

The non-tech aspect of this book is especially beneficial. Given the growing complexity of AI, a straightforward introduction is valuable to help readers get a handle on the basics of AI.

Why it makes the list: Along with a high-level look at AI, this book also covers key concepts such as deep learning, natural language processing (NLP), and robotics. 

10. Artificial Intelligence: Learning Automation Skills with Python

If you’re looking to take your AI skills further, this book is a great starting place. Its focus on AI automation using Python combines the world’s most popular programming language with one of the industry’s most promising new technologies. 

The book also ties into the larger narrative around AI and its impact on IT, making this an excellent read for prospective Python experts. 

Why it makes the list: Along with a look at the impact of AI on our culture, this book offers practical advice on creating automation tools with Python that can help maximize the impact of AI.

Ready to get started with IT? Skilled professionals are in demand. Dive into a few of our recommendations to discover what interests you about the industry and the opportunities it offers.

Got a book you think is a great starting point for beginners? Drop us a line in the comments, or connect with us on LinkedInOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , or FacebookOpens a new window . We’d love to hear from you!

Image source: Amazon.com

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