Updated November 8, 2023

Best Kotlin Books to Learn

Kotlin is a modern programming language that is static and is used to build robust applications using Jetpack Compose. The feature of coroutines helps to build seamless networks and connects to databases. This language is built on Java and, therefore, reduces the boilerplate code and data duplicity.

Key Features

These books listed here establish the foundation of object-oriented programming, functions, and lambda.
Overviews the content on the trade-offs behind the syntax and comparison over Java language.
Equip yourself with metaprogramming, argument matching, and internal DSLs.
Combine animations, APIs, and visually appealing UI design into your framework.

11 Best Kotlin Books for Beginners & Advanced

#	Books	Author	Published	Rating
1.	Head First Kotlin: A Brain-Friendly Guide	Dawn Griffiths, David Griffiths	2019	Amazon: 4.3 Goodreads: 4.29
2.	Kotlin in Action	Dmitry Jemerov, Svetlana Isakova	2017	Amazon:4.6 Goodreads:4.4
3.	Kotlin Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide (Big Nerd Ranch Guides)	David Greenhalgh, Josh Skeen	2021	Amazon: 4.5 Goodreads:4.3
4.	Programming Kotlin: Create Elegant, Expressive, and Performant JVM and Android Applications	Venkat Subramaniam	2020	Amazon:4.1 Goodreads: 4.43
5.	The Joy of Kotlin	Pierre-Yves Saumont	2019	Amazon:4.3 Goodreads: 3.7
6.	Mastering Kotlin: Learn advanced Kotlin programming techniques to build apps for Android, iOS, and the web	Nate Ebel	2019	Amazon: 4.5 Goodreads: 4.0
7.	Android Programming with Kotlin for Beginners: Build Android apps starting from zero programming experience with the new Kotlin programming language	John Horton	2019	Amazon 4.0 Goodreads- 4.0
8.	KOTLIN FOR ANDROID DEVELOPERS: LEARN KOTLIN THE EASY WAY WHILE DEVELOPING AN ANDROID APP	ANTONIO LEIVA	2016	Amazon 4.3 Goodreads -3.83
9.	Kotlin Programming Cookbook	Aanand Shekhar Roy, Rashi Karanpuria	2018	Amazon 3.1 Goodreads- 3.6
10.	Hands-On Design Patterns with Kotlin	Alexey Soshin	2018	Amazon: 4.2 Goodreads: 3.8

#1. Head First Kotlin: A Brain-Friendly Guide

Author– Dawn Griffiths, David Griffiths

Book Review

Understanding Kotlin has never been as easy as this book makes it out to be. Coupled with factors such as being easy to the mind, conversational delivery of concepts, and altogether fun and engaging, this doesn’t leave any stone unturned for novice learners.

Key Takeaways from that book

The principles of OOPS and JVMs are written in great detail to maximize comprehensibility.
Build applications like App.kt, and Phase-O-Matic.kt to make you equipped to handle different use cases.

Get this Book link

#2. Kotlin in Action

Author– Dmitry Jemerov, Svetlana Isakova

Book Review

This book sets the stage for advanced programmers as the creators of Kotlin itself write the book. It sets you up for knowing the assertiveness behind the language and the code usability in a didactic approach.

Key Takeaways from that book

It includes the why and trade-offs behind the syntax and makes you form logical analogies about the subject matter.
Ideal for people wanting to upscale their knowledge to an advanced level.

Get this Book link

#3. Kotlin Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide (Big Nerd Ranch Guides)

Author– David Greenhalgh, Josh Skeen

Book Review

Learn the complexities of Kotlin with the help of adventurous exercises paired with a complete walkthrough of the code. The features are lined in quick succession to understand better what feature works well in a particular scenario.

Key Takeaways from that book

Comes with newer edition tools such as Coroutines and Multiplatform support to upgrade your codebase.
Use complex algorithms to make your code more efficient and flexible.

Get this Book link

#4. Programming Kotlin: Create Elegant, Expressive, and Performant JVM and Android Applications

Author– Venkat Subramaniam

Book Review

This guide for programming Kotlin will aid you with the necessary tools to get your Kotlin programming engines up and running. Build metaprogramming, internal DSLs, and code that runs fluently.

Key Takeaways from that book

Know the basics of Hello Kotlin, Intermix Kotlin with Java, practice scripting with the language, and many more such things to keep you covered.
Familiarize yourself with external iterations, Argument Matching, collections, etc.

Get this Book link

#5. The Joy of Kotlin Book

Author-Pierre-Yves Saumont

Book Review

Ever found yourself writing the same boilerplate code from the manual and wondering why the information sticks in your head? The insights from this book will not only make you write highly usable code but will also develop in you a good eye for catching errors.

Key Takeaways from that book

Delve into the dealings with optional data, share state mutation, and neat code documentation.
Measure your progress in functional programming with countless accurate examples built from scratch.

Get this Book link

#6. Mastering Kotlin: Learn advanced Kotlin programming techniques to build apps for Android, iOS, and the web

Author-Nate Ebel

Book Review

The insights from this book touch upon all the basic things you need to know about elementary Kotlin and Java interoperability. Seamlessly discover the power of Kotlin it transcends functional programming constructs and builds production-grade applications.,

Key Takeaways from that book

Create flexible apps with the help of standard libraries, interfaces, and classes.
Apply the frontend and backend practices with the help of reactive programming provided by Kotlin.

Get this Book link

#7. Android Programming with Kotlin for Beginners: Build Android apps starting from zero programming experience with the new Kotlin programming language

Author-John Horton

Book Review

The Kotlin for Android programming starts with the onset of playing with over a dozen mini projects to get through with the learnings of Android development.

This book can be used to work on the basics like OOPS, data structure, and connecting to UI features.

Key Takeaways from that book

Build presentable layouts using scroll view, recycler view, and card view.
Start implementing interactions, message dialog boxes, and animations to list a few highlights.

Get this Book link

#8. KOTLIN FOR ANDROID DEVELOPERS: LEARN KOTLIN THE EASY WAY WHILE DEVELOPING AN ANDROID APP

Author– ANTONIO LEIVA

Book Review

This book is preferred for people who know Java and Android Studio and want to invest in Kotlin. The structure of the book and the whole layout promote hassle-free learning.

Key Takeaways from that book

Create Android apps with extensive tools of nullability, data class extension functions, etc.
Learn Android sdk functionalities and Anko, Junit, and espresso for faster code execution.

Get this Book link

#9. Kotlin Programming Cookbook

Author– Aanand Shekhar Roy, Rashi Karanpuria

Book Review

A guide to Android programming as well as web development that makes use of functions, lambda, microservice, and concurrent programming in Kotlin. Each chapter presents a recipe that you can use to go through byte-sized information quickly.

Key Takeaways from that book

Migrate your Java code into Kotlin for interoperable operations.
Push through your Kotlin problems with a new perspective on debugging code.

Get this Book link

#10. Hands-On Design Patterns with Kotlin

Author– Alexey Soshin

Book Review

Leverage the power of design systems to build relatively scalable and efficient solutions in this hands-on approach. Build robust applications with reusable code that prompts users to improve their codebase.

Key Takeaways from that book

Overlays streams, threads, and coroutines for a smooth code workflow.
Good for professional developers who can brush up on their skills in design patterns.

Get this book link