7 Best-Selling Kotlin Books Millions Love

Discover Kotlin books authored by leading experts like Stefan Bocutiu and Dmitry Jemerov, trusted sources for best-selling Kotlin knowledge.

Updated on June 26, 2025
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There's something special about books that both critics and crowds love, especially in a fast-evolving programming ecosystem like Kotlin. As the language steadily grows in popularity for Android and JVM development, millions have turned to trusted books to master its unique features—from null safety to functional programming. Kotlin's rise reflects a pragmatic shift toward cleaner, more expressive code, making these books more relevant than ever.

These titles are authored by experts deeply embedded in Kotlin's development and adoption. For instance, Dmitry Jemerov, a JetBrains engineer integral to Kotlin's creation, co-authored "Kotlin in Action," a cornerstone resource for JVM developers. Stefan Bocutiu and Stephen Samuel bring practical insights tailored to Java developers eager to transition smoothly. Their combined expertise ensures these books offer solid guidance grounded in real-world application.

While these popular books provide proven frameworks and validated approaches, readers seeking content tailored to their specific Kotlin needs might consider creating a personalized Kotlin book that blends these widely adopted methods with a focus on your background and goals.

Best for Java developers transitioning
This book offers a clear introduction to Kotlin’s full feature set, making it a favorite among developers switching from Java. Its stepwise approach to Kotlin’s syntax, testing strategies, and concurrency explains why many have turned to it for practical Kotlin applications. By focusing on integrating Kotlin with existing Java codebases, it addresses a key challenge for developers aiming to leverage Kotlin’s modern features without abandoning legacy systems. If you're aiming to get fluent in Kotlin for Android or server-side development, this book lays out a proven, accessible path.
2017·420 pages·Kotlin, Programming, Software Development, Concurrency, Unit Testing

What started as a need to streamline Java developers' transition led Stefan Bocutiu and Stephen Samuel to craft this detailed Kotlin guide. You’ll find precise explanations on Kotlin’s unique features like null safety, destructuring expressions, and higher-order functions, alongside practical insights on integrating Kotlin with existing Java codebases. The book’s chapters on concurrency, microservices, and testing equip you with skills to build robust, modern applications. If you’re a Java developer moving toward Kotlin or a server-side developer eager to adopt this JVM language, this book offers a solid pathway without fluff or unnecessary complexity.

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Best for advanced JVM and Android developers
Dmitry Jemerov, a JetBrains veteran since 2003 and one of Kotlin’s initial developers, teams up with Kotlin developer and conference speaker Svetlana Isakova to bring you this authoritative guide. Their firsthand experience with Kotlin’s evolution gives this book unmatched credibility and practical insight. They wrote it to help experienced Java developers transition smoothly, covering everything from fundamentals to advanced DSL construction, reflecting their deep understanding of both the language and real-world developer needs.
Kotlin in Action book cover

by Dmitry Jemerov, Svetlana Isakova··You?

2017·360 pages·Kotlin, JVM, Functional Programming, Type System, Lambdas

Drawing from their deep involvement in Kotlin's development, Dmitry Jemerov and Svetlana Isakova offer a guide tailored for experienced Java developers who want to master Kotlin's capabilities. The book walks you through Kotlin fundamentals, such as its type system and lambdas, and advances to practical topics like creating domain-specific languages and operator overloading. By bridging Java interoperability with Kotlin’s expressive syntax, it enables you to write cleaner, more idiomatic code for JVM and Android applications. You’ll find clear examples and explanations, especially in chapters on functional programming and Kotlin's unique conventions, making it ideal if you’re ready to elevate your JVM coding skills.

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Best for custom coding mastery
This AI-created book on Kotlin programming is tailored to your skill level and specific coding interests. By sharing your background and goals, you receive a book focusing precisely on the Kotlin methods and challenges that matter most to you. This personalized approach helps you avoid generic advice, providing focused, reader-validated knowledge that enhances your learning experience. It's crafted to support your journey in mastering Kotlin with practical, relevant insights adapted to your unique needs.
2025·50-300 pages·Kotlin, Kotlin Basics, Idiomatic Kotlin, Coroutines, Functional Programming

This tailored book explores battle-tested Kotlin programming methods that directly address your unique coding challenges. It reveals deeply practical insights drawn from popular Kotlin knowledge, customized to match your background and programming goals. By focusing on your specific interests, this personalized approach helps you develop mastery over idiomatic Kotlin usage, coroutines, functional programming patterns, and JVM interoperability. The content covers essential Kotlin features and advanced topics, combining reader-validated techniques with tailored explanations that make complex concepts accessible and relevant. Whether you aim to improve existing Kotlin skills or transition from Java, this book examines proven coding strategies to elevate your development practice effectively.

Tailored Guide
Reader-Validated Insights
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for practical Kotlin coding recipes
The "Kotlin Programming Cookbook" stands out as a go-to resource for developers eager to embrace Kotlin’s first-class support within Android. Its recipe-based approach breaks down Kotlin’s language features into manageable, task-oriented chapters, helping you grasp practical coding techniques and integrate Kotlin seamlessly alongside Java. This book provides a clear path for programmers looking to adopt Kotlin for app development, offering tested solutions that respond to the rising demand for Kotlin expertise in the Android ecosystem.
Kotlin Programming Cookbook book cover

by Aanand Shekhar Roy, Rashi Karanpuria·You?

2018·434 pages·Kotlin, Programming, Software Development, Android Development, Language Syntax

Aanand Shekhar Roy and Rashi Karanpuria tapped into the growing momentum behind Kotlin following its endorsement by the Android team to craft this recipe-driven guide. You’ll find practical, focused examples that walk you through key Kotlin language features, from basic syntax to more advanced programming constructs, enabling you to build Android applications with confidence. Chapters deliver hands-on tasks that clarify Kotlin’s interoperability with Java and its concise coding style, making it especially useful if you’re transitioning from Java or starting fresh on Android development. This book suits developers eager to deepen their Kotlin skills through clear recipes rather than abstract theory, though complete beginners might prefer a more gradual introduction.

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Best for Kotlin microservices architects
Juan Antonio Medina Iglesias brings 20 years of software expertise, including leading digital transformation at Santander Technology, to this thorough exploration of Kotlin for microservices. His international experience and deep technical background inform a practical approach to building scalable, cloud-native applications. This book distills his knowledge into actionable insights on reactive programming, Docker orchestration, and Spring Boot integration, positioning you to implement modern microservices confidently.
Hands-On Microservices with Kotlin book cover

by Juan Antonio Medina Iglesias··You?

2018·414 pages·Microservices, Kotlin, Cloud Native, Reactive Programming, Spring Boot

Juan Antonio Medina Iglesias leverages two decades of software development and digital transformation experience to guide you through building scalable microservices with Kotlin. This book walks you through designing cloud-native, reactive microservices using Spring Boot 2.0 and WebFlux, emphasizing lean, maintainable code that integrates seamlessly with JVM ecosystems. You'll learn to implement non-blocking operations, manage reactive data streams from MongoDB, and scale services with Docker and Docker Swarm. If you aim to deepen your Kotlin skills while mastering modern microservices architecture, this book offers concrete frameworks and deployment strategies without unnecessary complexity.

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Best for functional programming enthusiasts
Functional Kotlin stands out by offering an in-depth exploration of functional programming tailored specifically for Kotlin developers. The book breaks down complex concepts like monads, functors, and stream processing while demonstrating how they fit into Kotlin’s ecosystem, including practical use of popular libraries like Arrow and funKTionale. It’s designed to help you, whether new to functional programming or seeking to deepen your skills, to write more efficient, maintainable Kotlin code by blending functional, object-oriented, and reactive programming paradigms. Developed by Mario Arias and Rivu Chakraborty, this guide addresses the growing demand for advanced Kotlin techniques in modern software projects.
Functional Kotlin book cover

by Mario Arias, Rivu Chakraborty·You?

2018·350 pages·Functional Programming, Kotlin, Reactive Programming, Object Oriented Programming, Coroutines

When Mario Arias and Rivu Chakraborty wrote Functional Kotlin, they drew on their extensive software development experience to address a specific challenge: how Kotlin developers can harness functional programming principles effectively. This book teaches you to apply functional programming constructs like lambdas, immutability, recursion, and monads directly in Kotlin, with practical examples including the use of libraries such as Arrow and funKTionale. You’ll learn to integrate functional programming with object-oriented and reactive styles, enhancing performance and code clarity in real-world projects. If you’re comfortable with Kotlin but new to functional programming, this book guides you through these concepts in a way that connects theory to practical application.

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Best for custom Kotlin progress
This AI-created book on Kotlin learning is tailored to your experience and goals. You share what you want to focus on and your current level, and the book is crafted to guide you through Kotlin in a way that suits your pace and interests. Personalization matters here because Kotlin’s ecosystem and your background influence how you best absorb concepts and apply them. This custom Kotlin book helps you achieve progress through daily, manageable steps focused on your priorities.
2025·50-300 pages·Kotlin, Kotlin Basics, Syntax Fundamentals, Object Oriented, Functional Programming

This tailored book offers a focused, step-by-step journey through Kotlin designed to match your background and goals. It explores Kotlin's core concepts and features in daily segments, making the learning process manageable and engaging. By combining insights that millions of Kotlin learners have found valuable with your specific interests, it creates a learning path that feels both familiar and uniquely yours. This personalized approach helps you absorb key topics such as syntax, functional programming, and Android integration, all paced for rapid progress. Whether you're starting fresh or building on existing knowledge, this book examines Kotlin with an eye toward practical understanding and continual growth.

Tailored Guide
Rapid Learning
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for beginner Android Kotlin developers
What makes this book unique is its focus on teaching you how to build Android apps from the ground up using Kotlin, the language Google now prioritizes for Android development. It guides you through setting up the latest Android Studio and walks you through creating three functional apps, each one more complex than the last, with plenty of screenshots and code samples. This hands-on approach helps you develop practical skills for adapting apps to different devices and orientations, making it a useful resource for anyone ready to start building their own Android applications with Kotlin.
2017·50 pages·Kotlin, Software Development, Mobile Development, Kotlin Programming, Android Studio

Michael Fordham's experience as a developer shines through in this hands-on guide to creating Android apps using Kotlin, a language officially endorsed by Google for Android development. You’ll start with setting up Android Studio and writing your first "hello world!" app, then progress to building more complex applications that adapt to various devices and orientations. The book’s strength lies in its practical approach, with clear screenshots and code examples that walk you through developing three progressively challenging apps. If you want a straightforward introduction to Kotlin app development that balances coding practice with essential Android concepts, this book will suit you well.

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Best for intermediate Kotlin programmers
Mike James introduces Kotlin as a practical and accessible language, especially appealing since Google's endorsement for Android development. This guide targets programmers who know the basics but want to move beyond surface familiarity to a deeper understanding that improves code quality and robustness. Its clear explanations and focus on subtle language features address the needs of many developers looking to adopt Kotlin effectively. The book’s approach helps you grasp both the syntax and the design philosophy behind Kotlin, making it a useful resource for programmers aiming to enhance their skills in a growing language.
2017·204 pages·Kotlin, Programming, Software Development, Kotlin Basics, Object Oriented Programming

When Mike James set out to write this book, he aimed to bridge the gap between programmers familiar with basic concepts and those eager to master Kotlin's nuances beyond surface-level syntax. You learn not just the language features but also the subtle design choices that make Kotlin a compelling alternative to Java, especially for Android development. The book walks through object-oriented programming principles contextualized within Kotlin, helping you build more robust applications by understanding under-the-hood mechanics. If you have some programming basics but want to deepen your Kotlin skills with clear examples and thoughtful explanations, this guide fits the bill.

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Conclusion

This collection of seven best-selling Kotlin books reveals two clear themes: the power of proven frameworks and the value of widespread validation. Whether you're a Java developer moving into Kotlin or exploring advanced functional programming, these books offer tested pathways that many have found effective.

If you prefer validated approaches with practical recipes, "Kotlin Programming Cookbook" pairs well with "Programming Kotlin" for a comprehensive toolkit. For those eyeing microservices, "Hands-On Microservices with Kotlin" delivers focused strategies. Beginners will find "Kotlin Development for Android" a friendly start, while intermediate programmers can deepen their understanding with "Programmer's Guide To Kotlin."

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Kotlin book to combine these proven methods with your unique needs and speed your learning curve. These widely adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed in mastering Kotlin's evolving landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

If you're new to Kotlin and Android, try "Kotlin Development for Android" for hands-on basics. Java developers might prefer "Programming Kotlin" or "Kotlin in Action" to leverage existing skills. Consider your background and goals to pick the best fit.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Kotlin?

Not at all. Several books, like "Kotlin Development for Android," are beginner-friendly, while others, such as "Functional Kotlin," suit those with some experience aiming to deepen their knowledge.

What's the best order to read these books?

Start with foundational books like "Programming Kotlin" or "Kotlin Development for Android." Then explore specialized topics like microservices or functional programming with the respective books for a well-rounded skill set.

Should I start with the newest book or a classic?

Focus on content relevance over publication date. Classics like "Kotlin in Action" remain highly relevant due to their authors' deep involvement in Kotlin's creation, offering foundational insights.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick based on your goals. For example, choose "Hands-On Microservices with Kotlin" if microservices interest you, or "Kotlin Programming Cookbook" for practical coding recipes. They complement each other but aren't all required.

Can I get tailored Kotlin content if these books don’t exactly fit my needs?

Yes! While these expert books provide solid foundations, a personalized Kotlin book can tailor proven strategies to your specific background and objectives. Consider creating a custom Kotlin book for focused learning.

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