5 Best Books to Learn Python in 2025

You are in the right place if you are searching for the best books to learn Python coding in 2025. I previously discussed the top Python courses and free resources for learning the language; today, I will focus on some of the best Python learning books for 2025.

One of the most widely used programming languages is Python, and programmers with knowledge of this language are in high demand. The best part is that demand is growing annually.

Even though I already know Java, I have started learning Python too. It is a simple and powerful language, and I wanted to add it to my skills. In the real world, a large project in the banking or insurance industry frequently uses a variety of technologies, including Java, C++, Python, UNIX, SQL, and several others.

Additionally, it pays well to be a polyglot developer. Additionally, you make a stronger impression during interviews. I have noticed many interviewers prefer talking to programmers who know more than one language.

My experience with learning Python is somewhat different. I was troubleshooting a problem a few years ago where we were not getting multicast traffic through UDP. I looked for numerous Linux commands to listen to UDP traffic and print what was coming, but I was unable to locate one.

A coworker who was seated next to me and was an expert in Python was the person I turned to for assistance. I now have a UDP listener after he used the Python module to write a few lines of code. It functions exactly like a Linux command with no compile or classpath issues.

This experience interested me in picking up Python as a new programming language. I have a huge library of programming books covering a wide range of subjects and programming languages because I am a nerd and enjoy reading and researching books.

In this post, I will be recommending some of the top Python books that personally helped me learn the language from the ground up. You can use them to start learning Python from the beginning in 2025, too. Since I do not use Python frequently, I am still learning it, but these books are excellent resources for anyone looking to pick up the language quickly.

5 Best Books to learn Python Programming in 2025

The top books and courses for learning Python programming from scratch in 2025 are listed here. Courses help you learn the basics you will use most often, but books give you a deeper and more complete understanding of the language. To get the best of both worlds, I advise reading a book and enrolling in a relevant course.

In any case, let us begin with my top Python book.

1. Head First Python

Head First Python by Paul Barry is one of the easiest and most beginner-friendly books to begin learning Python. The Head First approach is the primary factor that makes this book the greatest resource for learning Python from scratch, especially for novices. This book was enjoyable to read.

I adore everything about this book, including the illustrations, fireside chat, comments, and diagrams. The format may not be suitable for many programmers, which is the book’s only drawback. Although I am aware that some of my friends view it more as a comic book than a technical book, that doesn’t lessen the value of teaching Python to a complete novice.

This is the ideal book for you to begin learning Python if, like me, you enjoy goofy images and detest the traditional teaching methods. This book is a great starting point if you are new to Python. If you enjoy learning through videos, pairing the book with the Complete Python 3 Bootcamp course on Udemy can accelerate your Python learning journey significantly.

2. Learn Python the hard way

You will probably end up with this book if you search for the best Python book online. It is among the most well-known books. You can read it for free online, but if you like holding a physical book, it’s also available on Amazon in paperback.

Another excellent book worth exploring is Learn Python the Hard Way by Zed Shaw. In addition to being a lovely introduction to Python, it is also incredibly condensed, making it a useful review tool.

The online book has some sections that I remember being a little unclear, but Zed does a fantastic job of keeping an eye on the comments and providing additional assistance when needed. In summary, it is without a doubt one of the best two books for learning Python.

You can access the free online version directly on your iPad, making it easy to study on the go. And if you want to read deeper, you can take the Python Programming MasterClass alongside the book to make the most of both resources.

To practice what you learn, check out these 10 Best Python Projects for Beginners in 2025 that will help you build confidence with real-world tasks.

3. Learning Python, 5th Edition

Another great book to learn Python is Learning Python by Mark Lutz. It is essential reading for inquisitive developers, that is, those who wish to comprehend both the “why” and the “how.” It offers thorough coverage of Python.

It provides comprehensive coverage of essential Python concepts such as data types, operators, control flow statements, syntax rules, modules, functions, packages, and many other key topics you’ll encounter while learning Python. The first chapter and Q&A about Python and its applications are interesting to me.

This can be really helpful, especially if you’re just getting started with Python. One of the best things about this book is that there is a quiz at the end of each chapter, which forces you to constantly push yourself. A must-read book for anyone learning Python, to put it briefly.

4. Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner, 3rd Edition

A great beginner-friendly book to learn Python is Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner by Michael Dawson (Third Edition). This book’s emphasis on video game programming makes its content fascinating. You are prepared to start making your games by the time you finish the magazine. Programmers can readily relate to the ideas presented in this book because many of them enjoy playing video games.

Although I will not give it the same rating as the first two books on the list, if game development interests you and makes you want to read more, this is the best Python learning book for you.

5. Automating Boring Stuff with Python

When I began learning Python a few years back, I studied this book alongside Head First Python, and both proved incredibly helpful for building a strong foundation. Since then, this has been my go-to book for Python, and you can also read this book in 2025 to learn Python. The title caught my attention when I first started learning Python to automate a few tasks, but I was not let down because the book does live up to its title.

You won’t have to spend days and nights learning sorting algorithms, object-oriented programming, and other computer science jargon because it will teach you all the practical skills you need right away, like sending email notifications, reading files, appending to XLS, scraping data online, and automating simple tasks with Python.

For individuals who learn best by doing, this book is a must-read. Another fantastic feature is that author Al Sweigart has also developed an online course on Udemy called “Automate the Boring Stuff with Python Programming.” If you would like to listen to him for a more engaging learning experience, you can enroll in the course in addition to reading this book.

This concludes our list of the top 5 Python books for novices in 2025. Nowadays, practically every college, university, and programming course teaches Python and Java, the two most widely used mainstream programming languages.

Ready to level up your Python skills? Don’t miss this list of 10 GitHub Repositories for Python Projects to explore open-source code and grow faster.