10 Best Python for Data Science Books to read in 2024

Download ebook

If you are planning to step into the world of Python, be assured that you are making absolutely the right decision. The wide range of Python for Data Science books easily available in the market is ready to offer you all the required support as you embark on your journey. The books are designed for both Beginners as well as Advanced Programmers so you can start at any level, pick up the right book for you, and there’s no looking back.

In this blog, we will discuss the 10 best Python for Data Science books to read in 2022 so that you can choose the book suited just for you.

Given below is a list of the ten best books. 

Happy reading…

1. Python Crash Course (2nd Edition): A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming

About the book: This is the most popular book for Beginners and the best seller on Amazon. While it starts by clearly explaining the basics of Python, the book then takes you through three projects. Through these projects, you learn how to:

1. Create a video game
2. Design graphs and charts using data visualization techniques
3. Develop an interactive Web application

It is important to note that each project builds on the skills you acquire on the previous project, Therefore by the time you complete the third project, you develop a strong foundation on the basics of Python programming.

Who should read this book: This  book is for you if you:

• Are new to Python and want to learn the basics through simple programming
• Know the basics of Python but want to deepen your understanding by doing hands-on projects
• Want a book that explains Python in a clear and concise way with code examples

About the Author: Eric Matthes living in Alaska, teaches science, maths, and programming in high school. Writing programs since he was five, he has authored the Python Flash Cards, also published from No Starch Press.

To order this book online through Amazon, click here.

2. Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, 2nd Edition: Practical Programming for Total Beginners

About the book: As the name suggests, this book focuses on enabling the reader to automate mundane tasks using Python. As a software developer, you would want to spend most of your time on designing interesting solutions and solving challenging problems, not doing boring tasks. That is where this book pitches in. It trains the reader to learn Python and use this language to build programs that can be used to automate regular repetitive tasks. The best part of the book is that you can get started even without an iota of knowledge about the language. As you progress through the book, you will learn how to use Python to:

• Scrape data
• Download online content
• Encrypt PDFs
• Send emails and text notifications
• Fill out online forms

Who should read this book: This is just the right book is you are:

• A novice to programming, yet want to learn coding by automating tasks
• Familiar with Python, but want to deepen your understanding by writing programs that are both useful and interesting
• Looking for a book that uses real-life cases instead of presenting theoretical concepts

About the Author: Author of several Python programming books, including Cracking Codes with Python, Beyond the Basic Stuff with Python, and The Big Book of Small Python Projects, Al Sweigart is a professional software developer who teaches coding with Python.

To order this book online through Amazon, click here.

3. Head First Python:

About the book: A very interesting book for Beginners, it adopts a unique approach of teaching in the form of rich visuals. Rather than using dull textual information, this book presents code examples in a visual engaging format, that helps you retain the information far better. It will teach you how to:

• Apply the fundamentals of Python programming to    real-world projects
• Use data structures in Python
• Build Web applications using Flask,
• Store data using MySQL database
• Spot errors using exception handling

Who should read this book: Head First Python is for you if you are looking for a book that:

• Uses visuals to enjoy the learning experience, NOT a typical reference book
• Offers an opportunity to learn by doing
• Adopts a humorous approach to teach the subject

About the Author: Apart from being a computer expert with a B.SC in Information Systems and M.Sc in Computing, Paul Barry possesses a postgraduate qualification in Learning and Teaching. This explains why learning is fun with this book.

To order this book online through Amazon, click here.

4. Fluent Python: 

About the book: Designed for Intermediate Python programmers, this book aims to help you start thinking the Pythonic way, particularly for those coming with a knowledge of other languages. This is important because many experienced Programmers try to use Python the way they work with other languages. So this book helps them to unlearn the usual programming concepts and learn the Pythonic way. In summary, it will teach you:

• Python data model and functions
• Use of Python data structures
• How to apply object-oriented principles in Python
• Advanced language features

Who should read this book: This is right for you if you are:

• Comfortable with Python 2.0 and want to learn the features of Python 3.0
• Want to master advanced language features
• An experienced Programmer looking for ways and means to improve your code quality

About the Author: A Web Developer since 1995, Luciano Ramalho is currently working as a Technical Principal at ThoughtWorks. Working with Python since 1998, he has been a frequent speaker at events like OSCON, PyCon, PythonBrasil, FISL, and RuPy.

To order this book online through Amazon, click here.

5. Learning Python, 5th Edition: 

About the book: Just the right book that effectively initiates you to the central Python language. This fifth edition based on creator Stamp Lutz’s popular training course, aims to help you quickly understand Python code. It’s a great starting point, for both newbies as well as veteran Programmers.

Additionally, this book readies you for Python 2.7 and 3.3—the most recent versions in the 3. X and 2. X series, along with all other releases commonly used today. It includes quizzes, exercises, and helpful visuals. The book also offers some advanced language features that are increasingly becoming more prominent in Python programs.

Who should read this book: This book is right for you if you are:

• Have a fair degree of experience in writing programs, but want to write production-grade Python programs
• Want to implement coding best practices when using the language for developing solutions to real- world problems
• Willing to invest lots of time, effort and patience in doing production-grade programming

About the Author: Writer of Python’s earliest and best-selling texts, Mark Lutz is a pioneering figure in the Python world. Apart from authoring three O’Reilly books: Learning Python, Programming Python, and Python Pocket Reference, all currently in fourth or fifth editions, he is a leading Python trainer.

To order this book online through Amazon, click here.

6. Learn Python the Hard Way: 

About the book: The title says it is the hard way to learn to write Py, but in reality it’s the “hard” way in which people used to teach this language. A collection of 52 expertly prepared exercises, this book is equally ideal for absolute beginners, junior developers as well as seasoned experts who need to brush up on their skills. It is designed to teach you the language by solving problems to arrive at real-world solutions. To help you achieve mastery with the code, the author has included some videos that teach you how to break, fix and then debug the code. The book also recommends that you write the code by hand instead of resorting to copy-paste so that you build confidence with the language, realize your mistake and learn to resolve problems, as in real-life. 

Who should read this book: This book is ideal for those who are:

• Ready to invest lot of hard work to master this language
• Willing to find a lot of information independently
• Keen to learn how to think like a problem-solver

About the Author: Zed A. Shaw is a seasoned software developer popular for his Ruby applications (most notably, the Mongrel web server), technical articles, and educational projects, which includes a series of ”Learn Code The Hard Way” courses. Apart from authoring books, he is renowned for being a strong critic of certain technologies and aspects of the programming culture.

To order this book online through Amazon, click here.

7. Python Cookbook: Recipes for Mastering Python 3: 

About the book: Designed for advanced Python Programmers, this book is loaded with practical recipes written and tested with Python 3.3. for more than a dozen topics, covering the core language as well as tasks common to a wide variety of application domains. Each recipe contains code samples you can readily use in your real-life projects, along with a detailed explanation on how and why the solution works. The book features tutorials on popular programming tasks that include:

• Data encoding
• Data structure
• Algorithms
• Meta-programming
• Concurrency
• Network
• Web programming, testing, and exceptions

Who should read this book: This book is the right choice for you if you are:

• Familiar with the basics of Python and aim to develop your skills as an advanced Programmer
• Looking for help in writing programs using Python 3.0
• An experienced Python programmers who want to focus on modern tools and idioms

About the Author: David Beazley, Brian Jones

 An independent software developer, David Beazley primarily works on programming tools, provides custom software development, and teaches practical programming courses for software developers, scientists, and engineers. He is renowned for his work with the Python programming language, for which he has created several open-source packages (e.g., Swig and PLY) and authored the acclaimed Python Essential Reference.

An infrastructure architect, operations developer, and a system administrator, Brian Jones works on the cutting edge of web 2.0-land, building and optimizing sites, and helping others do the same.  Apart from authoring the upcoming Python Cookbook, Third Edition, he is the creator of Python Magazine, and a freelance technical writer/editor, trainer, and advisor.

To order this book online through Amazon, click here.

8. Python for Data Analysis: Data Wrangling with Pandas, NumPy, and IPython: 

About the book: Designed to empower you with the knowledge to manipulate, process, clean, and crunch data in Python, this book presents a practical, modern introduction to scientific computing in Python, customized for data-intensive applications. Updated for Python 3.6, the second edition of this hands-on guide is loaded with practical case studies that train you on the parts of the Python language and libraries. In the process, you will master the art of effectively solving a wide range of data analysis problems. In summary, this book will help you to:

• Learn fundamental and advanced NumPy (Numerical Python) features
• Get initiated to the world of data analysis tools in the pandas library
• Use high-performance tools to load, clean, transform, merge, and reshape data
• Draw scatter plots along with static or dynamic visuals using matplotlib
• Apply the pandas groupby facility to slice, dice, and consolidate datasets
• Solve problems in the fields of web analytics, social sciences, finance, and economics

Who should read this book: This book is the right choice for anyone who wants to:

• Learn the latest versions of pandas, NumPy, IPython, and Jupyter
• Break down data sets in Python
• Know about all the tools that can be used for data analysis

About the Author: Wes McKinney, an American software developer and businessman, is the creator of the open-source pandas package for data analysis in Python. He has also authored three versions of the reference book Python for Data Analysis. CEO and founder of technology startup datapad, he founded the Ursa Labs.

To order this book online through Amazon, click here.

9. Learn Python in One Day and Learn It Well: 

About the book: Aimed at beginners, this book breaks down the complex programming concepts into simple steps to help the budding learners. Additionally, each concept is aided with an illustrated example, each one of which has been carefully selected to demonstrate all the steps of each topic. Topics like object-oriented programming, error handling, file handling, and others provide a fair understanding of Python. The finest feature of this book is that it:

• Provides a whole project that allows you to experiment with all the topics learned
• Presents the output of all the examples immediately without having to wait till you access a computer to test the samples
• Offers an opportunity to savor a feeling of success as you progress through the project

Who should read this book: Pick up and start reading this book if you are:

• An absolute beginner 
• Keen to learn Python programming fast and learn it well
• Want to head straight into coding in Python

About the Author: Jamie Chan <no details available about the author>

To order this book online through Amazon, click here.

10. Python Pocket Reference: Python In Your Pocket: Third Edition: 

About the book: As the name suggests, this is a book you can slip into your pocket and use it as a perfect on-the-job quick reference guide. As in a guide, it offers concise, need-to-know information on Python types and statements, special method names, built-in functions, and exceptions, commonly used standard library modules and other prominent Python tools. Additionally, this book:

• Has now been updated to include the latest release, Python 2.4
• Includes an easy-lookup index to facilitate search

Who should read this book: This perfect pocket guide is your ideal choice if you are looking for a book that:

• Serves the relevant information on your finger tips
• Explains new language features, new and upgraded built-ins, and new and upgraded modules and packages in a clear and concise way

About the Author: Recognized as the world leader in Python training, Mark Lutz is the author of Python’s earliest and best-selling texts. A pioneering figure in the Python community for his immense contribution in the Python world, he is also revered as a former trainer with two decades of experience teaching Python to newcomers.

To order this book online through Amazon, click here.

Let us know about Henry Harvin’s Python for Data Science Course

Python is an interpreted language, which means the source code is converted into bytecode, which is then run by the Python VM. This further means that unlike other languages like C, C++, you do not need to build and link Python code. Each instruction is independently executed in exactly the same way in which the programmer has coded it. 

Data analysis is the act of analyzing and explaining data. Data Science is the study of how to extract and draw insights from data. These insights are pivotal in making effective decisions, particularly strategic decisions that define the business landscape of organizations. Successful shaping of the business landscape, in turn, helps CEOs and CFOs achieve a healthy bottom-line for their organization. Quite understandably, therefore, Data Science clubbed with Python is a very powerful and intelligently designed course. It is meant for those who are absolute freshers in the fields of Data Science and Python.

Go ahead and watch the video below to know more about this course.

Course Structure

Being in very high demand across industries, you will be industry-ready once you get certified on this course and successfully complete the internship assignments.

The Python for Data Science course offered by Henry Harvin  is divided into several modules that start with basic Python and goes up to advanced learning. Why this course scores above others is because it focuses on practical over theory. This is evident from the fact that during the course you will get an opportunity to solve around five hundred new real-life problems and create new programs to solve these problems. This rich hands-on training will prepare you for the industry, just when it is gearing up to touch new heights.

Amongst the top institutes currently offering Python and Data Science Courses in India, this course from Henry Harvin invests a lot of time and resources to carefully curate the course content such that you gain only the most relevant knowledge. This ensures that you derive optimum utilization of your time and money.

Benefits

The course is also supported by:

•         One-year gold membership for eLearning access
•         Internship opportunities
•         placement assistance
•         Doubt session
•         24/7 support

Once you enroll for the course, you gain access to their Learning Management System (LMS) on the go. Use the given login credentials to use Moodle app on either your phone or laptop and get a Data Science with Python Course  Certificate at your fingertips.

It is very important to note that in case you are not satisfied with their Certified Data Science with Python course post-completion of the first session, Henry Harvin will refund you the entire amount. This indeed speaks volumes about the quality of the course and the high levels of commitment of the institute towards your success.

Currently Henry Harvin offers this course in many locations including the metro cities of Delhi , Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Chennai

Other Henry Harvin Courses include:

• Tableau Course
• HR Analytics Course
• Power BI Course
• Business Analytics Course
• Marketing Analytics Course

Conclusion

Currently, Python is regarded as the simplest and most general-purpose programming language. Its beauty and power lie in the fact that you do not need to memorize hundreds of lines of code to write the basic programs. Instead, it is written in a simple syntax.

Whether you are a beginner or an expert, the above-listed books can give you a fair idea to select the one that exactly suits your requirement. In this article, the summary of each book provided along with its ideal readership, hopefully, should help you make the right choice.

So, go ahead, and start exploring the exciting world of Python.

Recommended Reads

• 10 Best Books To Teach English To Beginners In 2022
• Top 20 Best Content Writing Books in 2022
• Top 15 Books on Business Analytics
• Top 10 Operation Theatre Technician Books
• Top 20 Books for English Speaking Course

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I learn Python from a book?

Ans. Yes, it is definitely possible to learn Python from a book. You just need to pick up the right book for yourself and practice what you learn.

Q2. Can I learn Python as a beginner?

Ans. Surely, Python is the most beginner-friendly language and you have a host of books to support beginners.

Q3. Is Python difficult to learn?

Ans. The syntax of Python is very easy to learn, but understanding the concept can be complex. However, if you are a newbie, Python should be your first choice.

Q4. Should I use Python 2 or Python 3?

Ans. Python 3 is the popular choice as Python 2 is no longer supported by the Python Software Foundation. Therefore, there is no reason to learn Python 2.

Q5. What is the required knowledge to learn Python?

Ans. The only prerequisite required to learn Python is a knack for programming. Just start with the fundamentals, and be consistent with the practice. In no time, you will find yourself in the league of advanced Programmers.

Download ebook