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Homebooks14 Best Android Books in 2023 [Learn Android App Development ASAP]
best android books [learn android app development asap]
Table of Contents
What is Android?
Best Android Books
💥Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide
💥Head First Kotlin: A Brain-Friendly Guide
💥Kotlin in Action
💥Kotlin and Android Development featuring Jetpack
💥Android Cookbook: Problems and Solutions for Android Developers
💥Kotlin Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide
💥Android Studio 4.2 Development Essentials - Kotlin Edition
💥Android Studio 4.2 Development Essentials - Java Edition
💥Android Programming for Beginners
💥Android Programming with Kotlin for Beginners
💥How to Build Android Apps with Kotlin
💥Professional Android
💥Kotlin Programming By Example
💥Beginning Android Development With Kotlin
Best Android Books: Conlcusion
What is Android?
Android is an operating system for mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones.
It’s open source, meaning you can add features and alter the source code. Android
applications are built using Kotlin or Java.

🍩 Most versions of Android are named after sweets such as Jelly Bean, Kit Kat and
Donut. Yum!

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you buy
something. Read my disclosure for more details.

TLDR: Best Android Books

🔥 Best Overall 🔥
Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide

💥 Best for Newbies 💥

Head First Kotlin: A Brain-Friendly Guide

💸 Best Value 💸
Kotlin in Action

️ Honorable Mention ️
Kotlin and Android Development featuring Jetpack

Best Android Books

1. Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide
Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide is one of the overall best Android
books.
️↘ ️ Ideal for: Kotlin developers with some experience
️↘️ Topics covered: Android 8 and beyond, Android Studio

Android Programming follows in the footsteps of The Big Nerd Ranch Guide’s in-
person Android Bootcamp. Using hands-on example apps and clear explanations, you’ll
learn practical techniques for developing Android apps in Kotlin.

You’ll also:

create apps that integrate with other apps

develop apps with audio
download and display photos from the web
And beyond.

️️ Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide is a hands-on guide for using Kotlin
to create Android applications.

Object diagram in Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide

PICK UP ANDROID PROGRAMMING: THE BIG NERD RANCH GUIDE
🏁 Bigger, better, faster, stronger! Build additional Android apps with the course
Modern Android App Development with Java on Educative.io.

2. Head First Kotlin: A Brain-Friendly Guide

Head First Kotlin is one of the best Android books for beginners.
️↘️ Ideal for: Kotlin newbies
️↘️ Topics covered: Kotlin fundamentals, higher-order functions, OOP, functional
programming

We love Head First.

Head First Kotlin is a hands-on complete introduction to Kotlin programming. Using
cognitive science and learning theory, it’s designed to provide a multisensory
learning experience. Rather than walls of text, your mind will be engaged with
image-rich, page-turning lessons.

In addition to learning Kotlin fundamentals, you’ll discover:

generics
lambdas
higher-order functions
You’ll also explore object-oriented programming (OOP) and functional programming.

️️ Ideal for beginners, Head First Kotlin is a visually stimulating introduction to

the world of Kotlin programming.

Installing IntelliJ IDEA in Head First Kotlin

💥 Geena’s Hot Take

Head First books are some of the best out there, and Head First Kotlin is no
exception.

Using a mix of text and tons of illustrations, you’re almost guaranteed to learn
the material better than other books.

So if you need to learn Kotlin, we highly recommend this book above any other on
our list.
GRAB YOUR COPY OF HEAD FIRST KOTLIN
🏁 Put all this theory mumbo jumbo into practice with the course The Ultimate Guide
to Kotlin Programming on Educative.io.

3. Kotlin in Action
Kotlin in Action is one of the best Android books at an affordable price.
️↘️ Ideal for: experienced Java developers
️↘️ Topics covered: functional programming, writing clean code

Kotlin in Action teaches experienced Java developers the basics of Kotlin. From
there, you’ll learn how to build applications to run on the Java Virtual Machine
(JVM) and Android devices.

With this example-rich text you’ll learn how to build production-quality

applications. You’ll also dive into:

building domain-specific languages (DSLs)

writing clean code
combining Kotlin and Java
And much more.

️️ Kotlin in Action was written by some of the core developers of Kotlin.

PICK UP KOTLIN IN ACTION

🏁 Stop reading and blast your retinas off with the video course Kotlin Fundamentals
️️on Pluralsight. ️

4. Kotlin and Android Development featuring Jetpack

Kotlin and Android Development featuring Jetpack is one of the only Android
development books that covers Jetpack.
️↘️ Ideal for: Android developers
️↘️ Topics covered: Jetpack, Kotlin, Android development

Jetpack? You may think we’re talking about the WordPress plugin but actually? We’re
talking about Android Jetpack, a suite of libraries that enables you to:

follow best practices

reduce boilerplate code
write code that works
Kotlin and Android Development featuring Jetpack is a wildly hands-on adventure
where you’ll work on building fun apps such as:

Penny Drop – full game including die rolls, customizable rules and AI opponents
Android Baseball League – real app, fake league, you’ll build on what you’ve
learned in Penny Drop
With these fully functional apps, you’ll work on concepts like:

asynchronous and web service calls

persist and retrieve data
display data
send notifications to a user’s phone
And much more, all while using tools, libraries and Jetpack best practices.

️️ With Kotlin and Android Development featuring Jetpack, you’ll learn how to build
Android apps using Kotlin and Jetpack.

What Android developers are saying about Kotlin and Android Development featuring
Jetpack

The author has a conversational writing style that makes the book easy to read and
follow, and I really liked his example applications…

– Craig, Android Developer

GRAB YOUR COPY OF KOTLIN AND ANDROID DEVELOPMENT
🏁 Learn how to make an Android app with the course Comprehensive Step by Step Guide
on How to Make an Android App on BitDegree.

5. Android Cookbook: Problems and Solutions for Android Developers

️↘️ Ideal for: Java developers, Android developers
️↘️ Topics covered: 230 recipes, tooling, layouts

Android Cookbook contains 230 problems and solutions contributed by three dozen
Android developers including:

working with interfaces

multitouch gestures
location awareness
web services
And beyond.

This book is ideal for developers experienced with Java and Android basics.

️️ Android Cookbook contains 230 Java problems for Android developers.

You’ll find step-by-step instructions in Android Cookbook

PICK UP ANDROID COOKBOOK
🏁 Discover how to Build a Simple Android App with Java on Treehouse.

6. Kotlin Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide

️↘️ Ideal for: Kotlin newbies, new and experienced Android developers
️↘️ Topics covered: fundamentals, IntelliJ IDEA

Kotlin Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide is geared towards new and experienced
Android developers. Based on The Big Nerd Ranch’s in-person Kotlin Essentials
course, you’ll work with hands-on exercises to learn the basic concepts of Kotlin
as well as advanced features.

You’ll also get an introduction to the development environment IntelliJ IDEA by

JetBrains.

By the end of this book, you should be able to write reliable Kotlin applications.

️️ Kotlin Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide teaches both Kotlin fundamentals and
advanced concepts.

CHECK OUT KOTLIN PROGRAMMING: THE BIG NERD RANCH GUIDE

🏁 Take the Kotlin Crash Course for Programmers on Educative.io.

7. Android Studio 4.2 Development Essentials – Kotlin Edition

️↘️ Ideal for: experienced developers, Android Studio newbies
️↘️ Topics covered: Android Studio, Kotlin
In Android Studio Development Essentials, you’ll learn Kotlin under the umbrella of
Android Studio 4.2. First you’ll discover the layout and tools on Android Studio.
Then you’ll work directly with the code editor.

You’ll also learn Kotlin fundamentals such as:

data types
flow control
functions
lambdas
And object-oriented programming.

️️ In this edition of Android Studio Development Essentials, you’ll learn how to use
Android Studio with Kotlin programming.

GRAB YOUR COPY OF ANDROID STUDIO 4.2 DEVELOPMENT ESSENTIALS – KOTLIN EDITION
8. Android Studio 4.2 Development Essentials – Java Edition
️↘️ Ideal for: experienced developers, Android Studio newbies
️↘️ Topics covered: Android Studio, Java

In Android Studio Development Essentials, you’ll learn Java under the scope of
Android Studio 4.2. First you’ll discover the layout, tools and code editor of
Android Studio.

You’ll also discover:

view models
lifecycle management
app navigation
live data
data binding
And beyond.

️️ In this edition of Android Studio Development Essentials, you’ll learn how to use
Android Studio with Java programming.

PICK UP ANDROID STUDIO 4.2 DEVELOPMENT ESSENTIALS – JAVA EDITION

9. Android Programming for Beginners
️↘️ Ideal for: Android and Java newbies
️↘️ Topics covered: coding fundamentals, design patterns, real-world applications

Android Programming for Beginners teaches users how to build in-depth Android apps
with no prior programming experience. After learning Java coding fundamentals,
you’ll dig into Android development concepts such as:

building functional user interfaces

adding user interaction, sound and animations to apps
creating real-world Android applications with design patterns
And beyond.

️️ Android Programming for Beginners is newbie-friendly!

What Android developers are saying about Android Programming for Beginners

… The author really goes over the detail needed to understand building an Android
application …
– Christopher West, Android Developer
GRAB YOUR COPY OF ANDROID PROGRAMMING FOR BEGINNERS
10. Android Programming with Kotlin for Beginners
Android Programming with Kotlin for Beginners is one of the best Android books for
building projects.
️↘️ Ideal for: Android and Kotlin newbies
️↘️ Topics covered: Kotlin, Android, object-oriented programming

Android Programming with Kotlin for Beginners is a hands-on book for absolute
beginners. You’ll build plenty of Android apps from the ground up while learning
how Kotlin and Android interact. You’ll also learn how to:

build a graphical drawing app using OOP

build practical layouts using NavigationView, ScrollView and more
add user interaction, sound and animations to applications
You’ll also build a simple database that stores and sorts user data.

️️ Android Programming with Kotlin for Beginners is a project-based book.

PICK UP ANDROID PROGRAMMING WITH KOTLIN FOR BEGINNERS

11. How to Build Android Apps with Kotlin
How to Build Android Apps with Kotlin is one of the best Android books for
experienced Kotlin developers.
️↘️ Ideal for: experienced Kotlin developers
️↘️ Topics covered: creating apps, lifecycle, simplifying app development

How to Build Android Apps with Kotlin is a hands-on guide to building Android apps.
It’s for experienced Kotlin developers who will learn how to:

create maintainable and scalable apps

navigate the Android development lifecycle
simplify app development
You’ll then learn how to publish your applications to the Google Play store.

️️ How to Build Android Apps with Kotlin is for experienced Kotlin developers.

Project template in How to Build Android Apps with Kotlin

GRAB YOUR COPY OF HOW TO BUILD ANDROID APPS WITH KOTLIN
12. Professional Android
Professional Android is one of the best Android books containing hands-on
exercises.
️↘️ Ideal for: professional Android developers
️↘️ Topics covered: best practices, lifecycle

With Professional Android, you’ll build tons of projects while exploring different
platform features. Starting with basic Android concepts, you’ll quickly graduate to
more challenging Android development. Along the way, you’ll learn:

best practices and techniques

lifecycle of Android apps
design for all mobile platforms
And how to utilize Google Play services.

️️ Professional Android is meant to build your Android skills to a professional

level.
GRAB YOUR COPY OF PROFESSIONAL ANDROID
13. Kotlin Programming By Example
️↘️ Ideal for: Kotlin newbies
️↘️ Topics covered: Kotlin basics, building Android applications

With Kotlin Programming by Example, you’ll build 3 real-world applications to

strengthen your Kotlin programming skills. After learning Kotlin fundamentals,
you’ll:

develop RESTful services for Android apps

create efficient, reactive Android apps
implement an MVC architecture pattern
deploy Kotlin microservices to Amazon Web Services (AWS)
And much more.

️️ Kotlin Programming by Example is a fun, project-based book teaching basic Kotlin

concepts.

PICK UP KOTLIN PROGRAMMING BY EXAMPLE

14. Beginning Android Development With Kotlin
️↘️ Ideal for: programmers with some basic coding skills
️↘️ Topics covered: Android development, Kotlin fundamentals

Beginning Android Development with Kotlin starts you off by immediately building an
app: a BMI calculator. But the fun doesn’t stop there. You’ll take a journey into
building multiple applications using the minimum skills necessary.

Then you’ll learn how to publish your applications.

️️ Building Android Development with Kotlin is a project-heavy immersion into the

world of Android app development.

GRAB YOUR COPY OF BEGINNING ANDROID DEVELOPMENT WITH KOTLIN

Best Android Books: Conlcusion
Today we looked at the best Android books including:
🔥 Best Overall 🔥
Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide

💥 Best for Newbies 💥

Head First Kotlin: A Brain-Friendly Guide

💸 Best Value 💸
Kotlin in Action

️ Honorable Mention ️
Kotlin and Android Development featuring Jetpack

So regardless of your needs, we think these are the best Android books out there.
Android developers are also reading:

Best Kotlin Course [6 Kotlin Courses for Beginners]

Best Android Courses [Learn Android App Development ASAP]
Best Dart Courses [Learn Dart and Flutter ASAP]
Best Flutter Courses + Bonus [Learn Flutter for Beginners]
Best iOS Courses [Learn iOS Development TODAY]
What are the best Android books?
Overall, we think Android Programming by The Big Nerd Ranch Guide is the best
Android book. For newbies, we liked Head First Kotlin by Dawn and David Griffiths.
And for value, we enjoyed Kotlin in Action by Dmitry Jemerov and Svetlana Isakova.

Do you use Java or Kotlin for Android?

You can use both Java and Kotlin to develop Android applications. It comes down to
personal preference (or what your employer prefers). Check out today’s post where
you can find books and courses about Kotlin and Java development in Android.

Does Android work on tablets?

Yes, Android works on tablets, but not all tablets use Android. Because Android is
open source, you can use it to work on most devices. Learn more about how Android
works with books listed in today’s post.

Are all Android phones smartphones?

Yes, all Android phones are smartphones. But not all smartphones run on Android. In
today’s post, we look at different books you can read to learn how to use Android.

Where can I learn Android?

You can learn about Android’s features and functions with books, courses and
tutorials. Our favorite book to learn Android is Android Programming: The Big Nerd
Ranch Guide. Today we’re looking at plenty of books to get you started learning
Android development. You can also look into a few courses we have listed.

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