Here are the books that sit next to me at work.
No, there are no HTML or CSS books. I haven’t felt the need to dive into those subjects, in depth, since 1999. Based on the foundation I got from studying specs and experimenting in 1998-2000, I can read the occasional A List Apart article, look at Quirksmode and keep up to date.
I should add, I’m reading Dive Into HTML5 as it’s released. That’s what the first change in the specs in 10 years will do to a fellow.
In my “to read” pile:
Dive Into Python 3
I like Mark Pilgrim‘s writing, in general, and I want to learn more about Python.
Palm webOS
Read and build. Build and read. That’s my fall, I hope. With the new changes to their app distribution program, I’ve decided I’m going to do something open source.
In my “partially read” pile:
Learning Python
Have I mentioned I want to learn more about Python?
From the “read” (and sometimes well worn) pile:
JavaScript: The Definitive Guide
This one is well worn. There’s some newer stuff not covered in here, but for the most part it’s my first reference for the things I don’t quite remember.
JavaScript: The Good Parts
I liked Douglas Crockford‘s book. Probably not as much as some other people, but I liked it.
Pro JavaScript Techniques
John Resig‘s book. I thought it was really interesting throughout and eagerly await Secrets of the JavaScript Ninja (even if it’s got a Samurai on the cover*)
Pro JavaScript Design Patterns
Ross Harmes and Dustin Diaz show the flexibility and power of JavaScript, porting common OO patterns over to our little malleable language.
ppk on JavaScript, 1/e
Peter Paul Koch produces the best introductory text to JS I’ve read. Of course, the last real introductory text I read was 10 years ago. I pass this around our office, so it looks like it’s been through a washing machine.
Learning XSLT
I learned XSLT using this book. As advertised.
Linux in a Nutshell
I know just enough to destroy things. This book helps me not destroy.
High Performance Web Sites: Essential Knowledge for Front-End Engineers
A great reference for front end performance. Many to-do list items sprung forth from my reading of this book.
Even Faster Web Sites: Performance Best Practices for Web Developers
Steve Souders’ follow-up. A great read that has already shaped my approach to certain problems.
JavaScript Bible, Fifth Edition
I don’t touch this as much as I once used to. The Definitive Guide has supplanted it as my reference of choice.
*John knows this and is trying to get that straightened out.