As a software engineer, one thing has been constant: learning never stops.
So here’s a list of 10 books every engineer should read at least once in their career.
They’ve shaped how I approach problem-solving, systems, and even team collaboration.
✅ Books I’ve Already Read:
1. Designing Data-Intensive Applications (DDAI)
My absolute favorite. This book changed how I design systems.
I used its concepts to optimize a DB that reduced query times by 40% on a real project.
I’ve highlighted the key sections and revisit them regularly — it’s more of a playbook than a textbook.
2. System Design Interview – Vol 1
Great for both interview prep and practical, real-world system architecture.
3. Introduction to Algorithms (CLRS)
The classic. Dense, but worth it if you want to master the core fundamentals.
🕐 What’s Next?
The remaining books are still on my list, and I plan to read them one by one — as soon as I get time.
If you're building a roadmap for serious engineering growth, this list is a great place to start.
⭐ My Top Recommendation?
Without a doubt: DDAI.
- It’s not just for learning — it’s for relearning.
- I revisit it every few months.
- It stays relevant across systems, databases, and scalability topics.
- No book can beat that.
🔁 Your Turn:
What’s one book that changed how you think as an engineer?
Drop a comment, link your review, or just say hi 👋
Let’s build the ultimate software engineer reading list together!
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