Books
On this page is the list of books I’ve read, the ones I’m currently reading and the ones I plan to read. I intend to update this page regularly as I’m reading on. I try to refrain myself from buying books impulsively because I have been buying books faster than I can read them.
If you have suggestions, please let me know!
Next to my bed (books I’m reading)
Code Complete
Programmer’s Bible as they say. It’s been a really good read from now on, and I getting slowly to the end.
Becoming Agile
I like the fact that this books aims at moving to agile slowly and incrementally. Just started it.
Effective Java (2nd Edition)
Unusual for a C# developer, isn’t it? However, I’m now working with Java (against my will, I promise!), and this book has been written by one of nowadays legendary programmer. Some parts are totally Java related, but some are more of the OOP general principles. Oh and I have to admit that enums in Java are much cooler than in C#.
In the Pipeline (books I plan to read)
Brownfield Application Development in .NET
Ordered from Manning, I have access to the MEAP and it looks very nice. Can’t wait to receive the book!
Real World Functional Programming
Same as above. I’m curious about functional programming usage in real world, and the fact that Jon Skeet helped on the book made it impossible to resist.
Some other books I plan to order
CLR via C#, Windows Internals, More Effective C#. I wish I could read instead of sleeping.
On my Shelve (books I read)
Effective C#: 50 Specific Ways to Improve Your C#
Very nice book. The content applies to C# 1.1, but most of the content is still relevant as of today. If you are any serious about C#, this is one of the books you should have next to your screen.
The Art of Unit Testing
I’m was not familiar with unit testing, I’m still not since I don’t do that on a daily basis, but his book focuses a lot on what the author defines as the three pillars of good unit tests: trustworthiness, maintainability and readability. The book also gives a small introduction to the most used unit test frameworks. An interesting read.
Professional ASP.NET 3.5: In C# and VB
I was not able to finish it, but was pretty good. A bit redundant to have both C# and VB listing everywhere, but I guess VB developers are happy about that heh.
Programming WCF Services
Very good, didn’t finish it though as I was not working with WCF on daily basis anymore. Very detailed stuff in there, very good quality. Definitely to be on your desk if you are doing serious stuff with WCF.
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-503) : Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Windows Communication Foundation
Aimed at certification exam, pretty good read. Covers lots of ground very fast.
C# in Depth
Brilliant, exactly what you need to cross the chasm between knowing C# and understanding C#. If you have some experience with C# and that you want to get and in-depth knowledge of the language, this book is for you. Wrote a review on Amazon for it here (in French). I ordered the second edition of the book and I’m following the MEAP version very closely!
Don’t Make Me Think
A very good read about usability. Didn’t have a chance to practice everything yet. Most of the content is common sense explained.
MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-536) : Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Application Development Foundation
Aimed at certification exam, a good read. Covers a lot of ground in lots of different areas of the .NET Framework.
References
Here I list the books I have but that are not really meant to be read from cover to cover.
Microsoft Visual Studio Tips
Pretty nice, read one or two tips a day will make you a Visual Studio ninja. Not that I’m one, as I haven’t finished it yet.
Last edited on: August 25, 2009
