The Leaping Hare guide to books about website building (and other things we like too)
We are compiling a directory of the best books on designing and building websites. There will be basic books for starters as well as some more challenging material for the experienced designer seeking new skills.
We will also add some books that may not be directly related to web design but that we really love.
Please visit us regularly to see our selection evolve.
Web design | Computer basics | Usability | Other stuff
Web design
Web Design in a Nutshell
by Jennifer Niederst
A great introduction and reference book. Really helpful for getting to
the bottom of problems and understanding where you were going wrong! The
book has handy reference tables for all core web standards like HTML tags,
character entities, MIME types and CSS, as well as clear explanations of
key topics. She doesn't forget Mac users either.
Order Web
Design in a Nutshell now
PHP and MySQL Web Development
by Luke Welling, Laura Thomson
An excellent and easy to follow introduction for anyone wanting create
and manage dynamic websites using PHP & MySQL. Absolute beginners
may find it challenging but none the less rewarding.
Order PHP
and MySQL Web Development now
PHP and MYSQL for Dummies
by Janet Valade
Perhaps the best choice for anyone new to programming. If you have a
little HTML knowledge and have created static web pages you'll soon be
up and running with some simple applications and ready to move on to
more demanding projects.
Order PHP
and MYSQL for Dummies now
Computer basics
Windows XP Annoyances
by David A. Karp
Not a web design book but essential if you are working
on a Windows XP machine! The latest in the excellent O'Reilly series.
Brilliant approach to making XP work for you rather than the other way
around. The earlier "Windows 98 Annoyances" paid for itself
over and over and this is no different!
Order Windows
XP Annoyances now
Usability
Designing Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity
by Jakob Nielsen
The guru of web usability gurus. The content is brilliant - even if you don't
believe in it totally. But, like his own web site, does it fully practice what
it preaches? The fold-out jacket and bitty layout will annoy some. Still a "must
have"
Order Designing
Web Usability now.
Other books we like
The Power of Place : How Our Surroundings
Shape Our Thoughts, Emotions, and Actions
by Winifred
Gallagher
A powerful, thought-shaping book!
Order The
Power of Place now
The Design of Everyday Things
by
Donald Norman
The examples are slightly dated now but it's still a classic with some hilarious
examples of poor design and excellent insights into the subject.
Order The
Design of Everyday Things now
Cultivating Sacred Space
by Elizabeth
Murray
Our favourite garden book. Inspiring, heartening and beautiful. A wonderful
lady, photographer and garden designer.
Order Cultivating
Sacred Space now
Derek Jarman's Garden
by Derek
Jarman
Whatever you think of his films you can't fail to be moved and delighted
by this book and it's beautiful photographs by Howard Sooley. Brilliant.
Order Derek
Jarman's Garden now
The Timeless Way of Building
by
Christopher Alexander
Introductory volume to Alexander's other works (A Pattern Language and
The Oregon Experiment) explains concepts fundamental to his original
approaches to the theory and application of architecture.
Order The
Timeless Way of Building now
A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction
by
Christopher Alexander et al
Highly recommended.
Order A Pattern Language now
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