10 Best C# Books [updated 2023]
C# Books explore the high-level programming language C#, encompassing object-oriented, class-based, functional, static typing, lexically scoped, and declarative programming areas. In 2000, Anders Hejlsberg wrote C# while working for Microsoft. He was approved as an international standard by ECMA in 2002. It was a breakthrough as there was no open source before C#. C# language is helpful in Mobile applications, Desktop applications, Web services websites, Web applications, Games, and VR.
The list of books that we have provided below will give the readers a clear understanding of C#. The shortlisted selection will help you choose the right one to help you progress in C# knowledge and make strides as a professional. The table below lists the top 10 C# Books for amateurs and professionals to understand C#.
| Sr. No. | Books | Author | Published | Rating (out of 5) |
| 1. | C# 8.0 and .NET Core 3.0: Modern Cross-Platform Development | Mark J. Price | 2019 | Amazon: 4.3
Goodreads: 4.53 |
| 2. | C#: Learn C# in One Day and Learn It Well | Jamie Chan | 2015 | Amazon: 4.4
Goodreads: 4.02 |
| 3. | HEAD FIRST C#: A Learner’s Guide to Real-World Programming with C# and .NET Core | Andrew Stellman, Jennifer Greene | 2020 | Amazon: 4.6
Goodreads: 3.93 |
| 4. | Programming C# 8.0: Build Cloud, Web, and Desktop Applications | Ian Griffiths | 2020 | Amazon: 4.4
Goodreads: 4.60 |
| 5. | Murach’s C# 2015 | Anne & Murach Joel Boehm | 2016 | Amazon: 4.5
Goodreads: 4.20 |
| 6. | C# in Depth | Jon Skeet | 2019 | Amazon: 4.6
Goodreads: 4.51 |
| 7. | Agile Principles, Patterns, and Practices in C# | Robert Martin, Micah Martin | 2006 | Amazon: 4.5
Goodreads: 4.29 |
| 8. | Learning C# by Developing Games with Unity 2019 | Harrison Ferrone | 2019 | Amazon: 4.5
Goodreads: 4.16 |
| 9. | The C# Player’s Guide: Using C# 7.0 and Visual Studio 2017 | R B Whitaker | 2016 | Amazon: 4.6
Goodreads: 4.36 |
| 10. | CLR via C# | Jeffrey Richter | 2012 | Amazon: 4.7
Goodreads: 4.56 |
Now we will go through the reviews of C# Books individually.
Book #1 C# 8.0 and .NET Core 3.0: Modern Cross-Platform Development
Author: Mark J. Price
Get the book here
Review:
Price has explained the scope of C# from basics to the complicated implementations citing examples. The book includes OOP Object-oriented programming and necessary executions like null reference types from C# 8.0. It further delves into pattern matching using the switch method. The second part introduces .NET and APIs ASP.NET Core with Xamarin Forms. And finally, the author explores desktop applications for windows. The author has written the book for professionals and serious programmers.
Key Points:
- It offers lessons in LINQ and builds websites using ASP.NET, model-view-controller, and content management systems.
- The user learns to create desktop applications like WPF Windows Presentation Foundation and UWP Universal Windows Platform.
- The book mainly focuses on code snippets to learn C# simultaneously while implementing the code.
- A lot of learning material has to be downloaded from outside to get through the book.
Book #2 Learn C# in One Day and Learn it Well
Author: Jamie Chan
Get the book here
Review:
This book guides a non-coder to make a complete C# program. It also includes fundamental topics and guides to more complicated ones, such as arrays, variables, and a string of C#. It also offers complete steps to the output of each program so the reader can gain knowledge even without a computer.
Key Points:
- The book is for beginners offering a breakdown of complicated concepts into little steps.
- The reader gets hands-on practice and ties the mini-concepts into a full-fledged program.
- It explains object-oriented programming in detail, enabling the user to build a program in one day.
Book #3 HEAD FIRST C#: A Learner’s Guide to Real-World Programming with C# and .NET Core
Authors: Andrew Stellman, Jennifer Greene
Get the book here
Review:
The book is fun to read and teaches the depth of C# creatively. The format makes it an easy read with numerous Illustrations and fonts. It enables users to develop Apps, games, and user interfaces visually. Programmers and beginners will find the content handy.
Key Points:
- The chief points on each page work as pointers making the book unique and engaging.
- There is a special section for impatient readers to build a game without reading the whole book thoroughly.
- It’s a hands-on interaction with C#, Visual Studio, and .NET Core.
Book #4 Programming C# 8.0: Build Cloud, Web, and Desktop Applications
Author: Ian Griffiths
Get the book here
Review:
Joseph and Ben bring the ultimate pocket reference on C# 8.0 by explaining custom type examples, lambda expressions, conversions, specialized integral operations, and more such topics in a new take. The book gives detailed information about C# 8.0. It is ideal for a thorough read and applies to a beginner and a skilled programmer wanting to harness the skills.
Key Points:
- Joseph and Ben have covered the C# fundamentals, its extension methods, anonymous types, tuples, LINQ, and XML.
- The reader gets hands-on knowledge on detailed subtopics of features in C# that are heavily emphasized with various examples to clear your concepts.
- The user learns how to build C# applications on the cloud, web, and desktop.
Book #5 Murach’s C# 2015
Authors: Anne Boehm & Joel Murach
Get the book here
Review:
Mike Murach & Associates Inc. brings C# book for beginners and experts. Introducing Visual Studio 2015, .NET, and the C# 6.0 interfaces and applications author dives into OOP and the possibilities with business classes. Programmers learn to build database applications using ADO.NET. The book addresses real-world business situations.
Key Points:
- It contains concepts about CodeLens, designing a windows form application, coding, testing the former, etc., and so many topics explained in a crisp and no-nonsense manner.
- The book comes with an intuitive two-page form: on one side is the theory and, on the side, the practical examples and codes.
- The users get firsthand experience with Entity Framework and LINQ to query data structures.
Book #6 C# In Depth
Author: Jon Skeet
Get the book here
Review:
Jon skeet introduces C# programming and reveals its full potential with C# 6.0 and C# 7.0 to build big data applications. Users learn techniques for system programming and web applications. It includes engaging topics like- how to write asynchronous C# code, tuples-aided composition, and pattern matching.
Key Points:
- The author discusses C# 8.0, stringy features, and async implementation
- The topics of async and await are added, which were not present in previous editions.
- Users become experts at writing code and learn various troubleshooting and problem-solving techniques.
Book #7 Agile Principles, Patterns, and Practices in C#
Authors: Robert Martin, Micah Martin
Get the book here
Review:
Published in 2006 but still having a hold on the minds of its readers after over a decade says a lot about this award-winning book. Martin focuses on agile development, UML, and C# principles through carefully woven case studies that reel the reader in long after the first read. The initial chapters introduce agile, while the latter helps the reader in action.
Key Points:
- The book covers topics like- Agile practices, refactoring, OCP, and agile design principles of good software development.
- The book is thorough in its methodology of teaching advanced topics with ease.
- The user learns how agile a role plays in programming .NET Framework.
Book #8 Learning C# by Developing Games with Unity 2019
Author: Harrison Ferrone
Get the book here
Review:
The book offers a modern approach to laying the basics and features of practicing C# with Unity. Reading this book, the user understands the starters of C# language, software development, and tackling problems in creating Unity games. The book explores intermediate programming-level topics and best practices. The user learns to implement game mechanics and UI elements interactions with C#.
Key Points:
- It is easy to follow and implement without any previous lesson in C#.
- Unity engine and Microsoft visual studio are described in detail and help build the games made through C# and Unity, discussed in the book in the later chapters.
- The user learns the basics like- variables and conditional statements before graduating to object-oriented systems and classes.
Book #9 The C# Player’s Guide: Using C# 7.0 and Visual Studio 2017
Author: R B Whitaker
Get the book here
Review:
This book uncovers the concepts of C# 7.0 besides a handful of explanations about the .NET framework. It is a hands-on guide for C# with in-depth information on topics outside C#. The book provides a step-by-step explanation for creating the first C# program before moving on to looping, decision-making, methods, and finally, building interfaces.
Key Points:
- The reader gets hands-on practice developing the .NET framework in C#.
- It includes topics such as DLL references, NuGet packages, and building a tic-tac-toe game.
- The user gains the know-how to compiler errors and to sort out bugs.
Book #10 CLR via C#
Author: Jeffrey Richter
Get the book here
Review:
Richter, a long-tenured consultant at the Microsoft .NET team, helps the reader to dive into runtime intricacies. The author has detailed C#, and .NET development, and the user gains realistic insight into developing a robust, responsive app. The book includes numerous Visual C# 2012 code samples.
Key Points:
- The book opens doors to the latest Visual Studio 2012 and NET Framework 4.5.
- The author delves into the runtime environment and asynchronous programming.
- The book touches on complex concepts like threading and generics.
Recommended Books
Our Top 10 C# Books compilation aims to be helpful to you. For an extensive list in the category, EDUCBA recommends the following,
