9 Kotlin Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

What if everything you knew about Android development was wrong? Madona S. Wambua argues that modern Android development demands a fresh approach centered on Kotlin and Jetpack Compose to build apps that are efficient and adaptable, especially for emerging platforms like foldables and Wear OS. You’ll learn practical skills such as handling UI states with Compose, implementing navigation, testing code, and managing data storage with Room and Datastore, all organized into over 70 focused recipes. This book suits junior to mid-level Android developers eager to move beyond Java and embrace the latest Android ecosystem tools without getting lost in theory.

Marco Vermeulen brings two decades of JVM programming experience to this deep dive into functional programming with Kotlin, joined by Rúnar Bjarnason and Paul Chiusano, authors renowned for their work in Scala. You’ll learn concrete skills like building combinator libraries, handling errors without exceptions, and mastering monads and functors, which are key for writing safer, more modular Kotlin code. The book guides you through foundational topics before advancing to practical applications such as stream processing and property-based testing, making it ideal if you want to write clearer, less error-prone Kotlin programs. While it’s technical, you don’t need prior functional programming experience, though expect a challenge that rewards patience and practice.

This personalized book delivers a tailored exploration of Kotlin programming, designed to fit your unique experience and objectives. It provides a structured guide through core Kotlin principles, advanced language features, and idiomatic usage, ensuring relevance to your specific development context. The content emphasizes practical application, covering topics from functional programming constructs to multiplatform development strategies. Its personalized framework cuts through generic advice, focusing on techniques and best practices that align with your coding goals, whether building Android apps, mastering concurrency, or integrating Kotlin with existing Java codebases. By addressing your particular skill level and interests, it offers a precise roadmap for achieving Kotlin mastery efficiently.

When Dawn and David Griffiths developed this book, they aimed to solve the challenge of moving beyond basic Kotlin syntax to truly mastering Android app development. You learn not just how to write code, but how to design intuitive user interfaces, manage multi-screen navigation, and store data effectively using Android Jetpack and Jetpack Compose. The book’s visually rich, interactive format helps you absorb complex concepts without getting overwhelmed by traditional manuals. If you already know Kotlin basics and want to build real Android apps confidently, this guide walks you through practical development stages with examples and exercises that make abstract ideas concrete.

When Dmitry Jemerov and Svetlana Isakova challenge the conventional wisdom that switching to Kotlin is just a matter of syntax, they dive deep into how Kotlin reshapes your approach to JVM and Android development. Drawing from their roles as core Kotlin developers at JetBrains, they walk you through topics like functional programming on the JVM and building DSLs with natural language syntax, going beyond basics into practical, production-quality applications. You get to understand Kotlin's expressive syntax, intuitive type system, and how to seamlessly integrate Kotlin with existing Java projects. This book is tailored for experienced Java developers ready to expand their toolkit with Kotlin's advanced features, but it might feel dense if you're new to JVM environments.

When Aleksei Sedunov, a JetBrains team member deeply versed in Kotlin, wrote this book, his goal was to provide a thorough resource that dives beyond basics into Kotlin's multipurpose capabilities. You'll explore Kotlin's core syntax, its blend of functional and object-oriented programming, and practical uses across JVM, Android, web, and native apps. The chapters on concurrency with coroutines and domain-specific languages stand out for those looking to write modern, efficient Kotlin code. If you're a Java or JVM developer eager to expand your toolkit into Kotlin's versatile ecosystem, this book gives you the foundational knowledge and real examples to do just that.

This personalized book provides a focused, step-by-step approach to accelerating Kotlin proficiency through daily actionable tasks over one month. It offers a tailored framework that fits your current programming background and learning goals to help you build Kotlin skills efficiently. The content emphasizes practical application, covering core Kotlin syntax, idiomatic usage, and relevant functional programming concepts. With a tailored approach, it cuts through generic tutorials to deliver targeted exercises and explanations that align with your specific context, ensuring accelerated learning without distraction. It addresses foundational topics and progressively introduces advanced concepts, making it a practical companion for rapid skill development in Kotlin.

What if everything you knew about learning Kotlin was wrong? This book challenges the notion that mastering Kotlin requires years of experience by guiding you from basic principles to advanced concepts with clarity. Drawing from the authors' hands-on teaching at Big Nerd Ranch, it dives into Kotlin’s interoperability with Java and practical use across Android, server, and multiplatform projects. You’ll explore foundational APIs and real coding examples, including an introduction to IntelliJ IDEA, equipping you to build concise, reliable applications. Whether you're a first-time coder or seasoned developer, this guide offers a structured path to fluency without overwhelming jargon.

What if everything you knew about learning programming languages was wrong? Dawn and David Griffiths challenge the typical syntax-heavy manuals by immersing you in a multisensory learning experience tailored to how your brain works. You won’t just memorize Kotlin syntax; you’ll develop the mindset of a Kotlin developer, mastering language fundamentals, collections, generics, lambdas, and higher-order functions with clarity. This approach suits anyone new to Kotlin who wants to grasp both object-oriented and functional programming concepts without fatigue or confusion. If you prefer active engagement over passive reading, this book offers exactly that.

When Dawn Griffiths challenges the typical way programming books are written, she offers more than just syntax tutorials; she teaches you to think like a skilled Kotlin developer. Drawing from over two decades in IT as a senior developer and architect, Griffiths co-created this brain-friendly guide to make learning Kotlin engaging and effective. You’ll explore everything from basic language features to generics, lambdas, and higher-order functions, while also getting hands-on with object-oriented and functional programming styles. Chapters like collections and functional constructs provide concrete examples that help cement your understanding. This book suits anyone wanting a solid foundation in Kotlin through a method that respects how your brain learns best.

When Catalin Ghita first discovered the potential of combining Jetpack libraries with Kotlin, he crafted this guide to elevate Android development beyond basic app creation. You dive into integrating libraries like Compose, ViewModel, Hilt, and Navigation, learning how to apply architectural patterns such as MVVM and clean architecture effectively. The book walks you through practical examples including REST API integration with pagination and testing Compose UI, making it especially useful if you want to build more maintainable and scalable Android applications. If you're a junior to intermediate developer eager to deepen your Kotlin and Jetpack expertise, this book offers focused insights without unnecessary fluff.