The Best React Books In 2022: From Beginner To Advanced
As one of the most widely used JavaScript libraries React is turning heads all over the world. It has been and will continue to explode in popularity, and has become the go-to Javascript UI library for developers around the world. The need for developers that know how to program using React and its ancillary ecosystem is at an all-time high.
If you are looking for the best books to learn React JS, look no further. We've compiled a list of our favorites - from beginner to advanced, that can help you find the perfect book to suit your needs based on your current skill level and learning style.
Related: The Best HTML & CSS Books
The Uptide
Beginner Friendly Books on React JS
For those who only have a rudimentary understanding of Javascript and its paradigms, or are starting from scratch
1. The Road To React
This book covers all the principles of React.js along with Hooks while constructing a full-fledged React application step by step. With each new chapter, you will be introduced to new and important features as you build your React application.
While the book covers all the fundamentals, it also delves into related subjects such as React with TypeScript, Testing, and Performance Optimizations. You also get a look at how to implement sophisticated features such as client- and server-side searching. By the time the book concludes, you will have a fully functional, deployed React application.
Why You Should Get This Book
- Has an up to date, new 2021 edition and is frequently updated as it is self-published
- Great for beginners to react who want to understand the fundamental building blocks such as JSX, but also want to delve into advanced react and programming concepts
2. Learning React: Modern Patterns for Developing React Apps
This book is for developers who wish to study the React library while also learning the most up-to-date JavaScript approaches. State management, React Routers, testing, and server rendering are all covered in this book.
This book assumes no prior experience with React. It also does not presume that you are familiar with the most recent JavaScript syntax, which is taught in the first few chapters and serves as a basis for the remainder of the book.
However, if you're familiar with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you'll be more equipped for the book's material.
Why You Should Get This Book
- No prior knowledge of React or functional JavaScript is necessary to dive into this book and understand its contents
3. HTML To React: The Ultimate Guide
This ebook is a thorough study guide that will teach you all you need to know to be a successful web developer using bite-sized courses, a plethora of easy-to-understand examples, attractive images, and tried-and-true roadmaps.
It contains principles ranging from the fundamental to the sophisticated. Furthermore, each idea is taught as simply as possible, with several illustrations and code snippets.
The ebook is 400+ pages long and filled with useful information. In addition, the author updates the book regularly. It's now version 3, and new versions are available for free. It also includes more than 50 real-world project ideas.
Why You Should Get This Book
- Great for beginners to web development as a whole as it starts with the basics of HTML and goes all the way to building your first react applications
- Great for visual learners who learn by examples and code snippets instead of reading
Books For Intermediate To Advanced Learners
For learners with some programming experience in Javascript or any other programming language
1. JavaScript Everywhere: Building Cross-Platform Applications with GraphQL, React, React Native, and Electron
The main purpose of this book is to show readers how a single programming language, JavaScript, may be used to create a wide range of applications.
This book is intended for intermediate-level developers with some expertise with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as eager newcomers who want to master the skills needed to bootstrap a business or side project.
The book aims to lead you through creating an example application for a range of platforms, and in doing so, it covers a range of paradigms such as setting up a javascript development environment, creating APIs using Node.js, and building a web application with React, Apollo Client, and CSS-in-JS.
Why You Should Get This Book
- Get a holistic overview of not just react, but the entire ecosystem around it
- Learn how to build cross-platform applications that work on the web, desktop, and natively across android and iOS
2. React Design Patterns and Best Practices
This book will walk you through the most important React design patterns, as well as how to use design patterns and best practices in real-world settings.
You'll work on ideas like class components, stateless components, and pure components to improve your abilities. You'll learn about new React capabilities including the context API and React Hooks, which will allow you to create reusable components for your apps.
By the conclusion of this book, you'll have the knowledge and abilities you need to overcome any React development roadblocks. You'll be able to make your apps more adaptable, efficient, and simple to maintain, increasing the pace of your operations without sacrificing quality.
Why You Should Get This Book
- Covers advanced topics such as React's internals, as well as Babel 7 and Create React App 2.0, which will help you write clean and maintainable code
- Targetted towards people in mid/senior-level positions who wish to improve their understanding of design patterns
3. Mastering React Test-Driven Development: Build Rock-solid, Well-tested Web Apps with React, Redux and GraphQL
Many programmers are aware of TDD, but find it difficult to put it into practice beyond simple examples. This book explains how to use Test-Driven Development to create complicated, real-world applications (TDD). It uses basic Jest to adopt a first-principles approach to TDD, including test-driving the integration of frameworks like React Router, Redux, and Relay (GraphQL).
Readers will learn about TDD tools and techniques while practicing methodical refactoring and constructing their own test framework.
Why You Should Get This Book
- A complete guide to TDD that will change the way you think about JavaScript
- Build real-world applications that can be scaled commercially
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Jonah Livingswood
These books should serve as a great starting point for those looking to venture into the React ecosystem, and for those who are looking to improve and solidify their understanding of both fundamental and more advanced concepts.
While external resources are great, the best way to make sure that your knowledge is always up to date is to go down the official route. Always remember, when in doubt, read the docs.