My Top 3 Web development books

As someone that is always trying to improve my own skills, I find it important to read around the subject of web design and development. I have list below my three favourite web design and development books, all of which I would recommend.

3. Web Re-design 2.0 – Workflow that works by Kelly Goto and Emily Cotler

This book is written by two experienced web designers and its focus is project workflow. The book concentrates on site re-designs but the information within can just as well be applied to new projects. I brought this book as a way to better understand the workflow of my own projects and it has given me significant insight. It discusses project management, project scope, clients and pretty much everything to do with a web design project. My only small criticism about this book is that when mentioning software, the authors seem to concentrate mostly on the Macintosh.

2. The Zen of CSS design by Dave Shea and Molly E. Holzschlag

Wow! What a great book, the designs are amazing and offer some real inspiration. The book lists a set of some of the best designs from www.csszengarden.com, a website that really shows the full potential of CSS design. Although focusing on design this book also illustrates some of the more technical CSS tips and tricks used by professional designers. Well worth a read.

1. Advanced PHP Programming by George Schlossnagle

If you’re into PHP and want to get beyond the basics this is the book for you. Concentrating on PHP 5, this book walks you through OOP (Object Orientated Programming) as well as nearly everything to do with PHP. I think George is a genius! I particularly enjoyed reading up about the various different coding styles people have and how best to keep your code clean and simple so as to make it more scaleable. This book can get pretty heavy so its really only for people that already have a good understanding of PHP.

If you have any other books that you would personally recommend, please feel free to post a comment below.