8 Time Series Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

Discover expert picks from Spyros Makridakis and Joannes Vermorel to elevate your Time series expertise.

Updated on June 28, 2025
We may earn commissions for purchases made via this page

What if I told you that mastering time series analysis could redefine your approach to forecasting and data interpretation? Time series data influences everything from supply chain management to neuroscience, yet many struggle to find clear, expert-backed guidance on the subject.

Consider Spyros Makridakis, founder of the Makridakis Open Forecasting Center, who champions Data Science for Supply Chain Forecasting for its hands-on, actionable approach to complex models. Alongside him, Joannes Vermorel, CEO of Lokad, endorses the same book for its practical utility in supply chain contexts. Together, their insights highlight the importance of bridging theory and real-world application.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks and methodologies, readers seeking content tailored to their specific background, skill level, or industry might consider creating a personalized Time series book that builds on these insights to accelerate your learning journey.

Best for supply chain forecasters using Python
Spyros Makridakis, founder of the Makridakis Open Forecasting Center, brings a wealth of expertise in forecasting to his recommendation of this book. He highlights how the author’s clear, do-it-yourself approach demystifies complex statistical and machine learning models, making them accessible to practitioners with minimal outside assistance. "The objective of Data Science for Supply Chain Forecasting is to show practitioners how to apply the statistical and ML models described in the book in simple and actionable 'do-it-yourself' ways..." This endorsement underscores the book’s practical value for those aiming to harness advanced forecasting techniques effectively. Joannes Vermorel, founder and CEO of Lokad, also praises the book’s comprehensive coverage, urging supply chain managers to engage with the content to achieve near state-of-the-art forecasting results with minimal effort.

Recommended by Spyros Makridakis

Founder of Makridakis Open Forecasting Center

The objective of Data Science for Supply Chain Forecasting is to show practitioners how to apply the statistical and ML models described in the book in simple and actionable 'do-it-yourself' ways by showing, first, how powerful the ML methods are, and second, how to implement them with minimal outside help, beyond the 'do-it-yourself' descriptions provided in the book. (from Amazon)

2021·310 pages·Business Forecasting, Data Science, Time series, Demand Forecasting, Machine Learning

Nicolas Vandeput, a supply chain data scientist and educator, wrote this book to bridge the gap between data science theory and practical forecasting in supply chains. You’ll explore how to apply both traditional statistical models and machine learning techniques, with clear Python and Excel examples guiding you through concepts like forecast value added, feature optimization, and handling outliers. The book’s structure, divided into foundational models, advanced machine learning, and process management, equips demand planners and analysts to improve forecasting accuracy and decision-making. If you’re deeply involved in supply chain forecasting and want a hands-on, scientifically grounded approach, this book offers a solid path forward, though it’s best suited to those comfortable with data analysis tools.

View on Amazon
Best for business analysts mastering R forecasting
Galit Shmueli, Distinguished Professor at National Tsing Hua University and visiting scholar at Academia Sinica, brings decades of experience in business analytics and data mining to this guide. Her work focuses on practical applications of statistical methods in business and healthcare, which inspired her to craft this accessible book on time series forecasting. Drawing from her teaching and research, she equips you with tools and examples to master forecasting using R, blending technical rigor with business relevance.
2024·250 pages·Business Forecasting, Time series, Forecasting Models, R Programming, ARIMA

Galit Shmueli's long-standing expertise in business analytics and data mining shines through in this book, which takes you beyond theory into applied time series forecasting using R. You’ll explore a range of methods from smoothing algorithms and ARIMA models to neural networks and deep learning, all framed within business contexts that show you how forecasts align with real goals. Chapters include practical cases and exercises that deepen your understanding, like evaluating forecast performance or integrating models with operational data. If you want to handle time series data confidently, especially in business or analytics roles, this book walks you through the technical and strategic sides without unnecessary jargon.

View on Amazon
Best for personalized mastery paths
This custom AI book on time series analysis is created based on your background, skill level, and specific interests within the field. It recognizes that mastering time series is a complex journey where a one-size-fits-all approach falls short. By focusing on what matters most to you, this book provides a clear and efficient pathway through the wealth of expert knowledge. Whether you're tackling supply chain data or financial trends, having content tailored to your goals makes learning more engaging and effective.
2025·50-300 pages·Time series, Time Series Basics, Statistical Modeling, Forecasting Accuracy, ARIMA Models

This tailored book explores the intricate world of time series analysis and forecasting, crafted to match your unique background and goals. It covers fundamental concepts like trend detection, seasonality, and autocorrelation, while diving into advanced topics such as ARIMA, state-space models, and machine learning applications. By focusing on your specific interests, it unpacks complex statistical and computational techniques with clarity and enthusiasm. This personalized guide reveals how to interpret data patterns, select appropriate models, and assess forecasting accuracy, ensuring a focused learning journey that bridges expert knowledge with your individual needs.

Tailored Guide
Forecasting Techniques
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for statisticians building forecasting foundations
Peter J. Brockwell and Richard A. Davis are Fellows of the American Statistical Association and the Institute of Mathematical Statistics and elected members of the International Statistics Institute. Richard A. Davis, current President of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics and Koopmans Prize winner, coauthored this book to share their extensive expertise in time series. Their authoritative background ensures the book's detailed approach to model-building and forecasting methods is grounded in rigorous research and practical application, making it a valuable resource for those seeking to master time series analysis.
Introduction to Time Series and Forecasting (Springer Texts in Statistics) book cover

by Peter J. Brockwell, Richard A. Davis··You?

2016·439 pages·Time series, Business Forecasting, ARIMA Models, State Space Models, Financial Time Series

Peter J. Brockwell and Richard A. Davis bring decades of statistical expertise to this book, designed to build your practical skills in time series analysis and forecasting. You’ll learn to apply ARMA and ARIMA models, explore multivariate time series, and understand state-space models, with chapters dedicated to financial time series and advanced topics like Itô calculus. The inclusion of ITSM2000 software guidance helps you implement concepts directly, making abstract theory accessible. This book suits anyone with basic calculus and statistics knowledge aiming to deepen their analytical toolkit in economics, engineering, or social sciences.

View on Amazon
Best for advanced learners exploring R examples
Robert H. Shumway, PhD, is a Fellow of the American Statistical Association and a member of the International Statistical Institute. His prestigious awards and extensive contributions to time series applications underscore the authority behind this book. He authored this text to share updated methodologies and practical examples that bridge theory and real-world data analysis, providing valuable resources for advanced students and professionals alike.
Time series, Statistical Analysis, Frequency Domain, ARIMA Models, Multivariate Methods

Robert H. Shumway, a distinguished statistician and Fellow of the American Statistical Association, brings deep expertise to this thorough exploration of time series methods. You’ll gain insight into both time and frequency domain techniques, enhanced by real-world examples like MRI pain experiments and nuclear treaty monitoring. The book carefully separates theory from methodology, making it accessible whether you're a graduate student or an advanced undergraduate in physical or social sciences. Chapters cover a wide range of topics—from traditional ARIMA models to nonlinear approaches and modern computational methods such as Monte Carlo Markov chains—giving you a solid toolkit for analyzing complex temporal data.

View on Amazon
Best for Python users tackling real data
Tarek A. Atwan is a data analytics expert with over 16 years of consulting experience in data science, machine learning operations, and business intelligence. His extensive background includes teaching hands-on courses on time series forecasting and Python programming at U.S. universities, equipping him to guide you through practical solutions for complex time series challenges. This expertise drives the book’s clear focus on applying Python to real-world time series problems, making it a valuable tool for those looking to enhance their forecasting skills.
2022·630 pages·Time series, Data Science, Machine Learning, Forecasting, Python Programming

Drawing from over 16 years of international consulting in data science and machine learning, Tarek A. Atwan crafted this book to tackle the complexities of time series analysis with Python. You’ll learn how to handle everything from data ingestion across various sources to nuanced techniques for detecting anomalies and forecasting using statistical, machine learning, and deep learning models. Chapters provide hands-on Python code for exploratory data analysis, managing missing values, and working with time zones, making it especially useful if you want to strengthen your technical skills in time series forecasting. This book suits data analysts and scientists eager to deepen their practical understanding beyond theory.

View on Amazon
Best for focused forecasting improvement
This AI-created book on forecasting accuracy is written based on your background, skill level, and the specific forecasting challenges you want to address. You share your goals and areas of interest, and the book is tailored to focus exactly on steps that will accelerate your forecasting skills within 30 days. It makes sense to have a personalized guide here because forecasting methods vary widely depending on your context, and this book matches your needs without unnecessary details.
2025·50-300 pages·Time series, Forecast Accuracy, Data Preparation, Model Selection, Error Metrics

This tailored book explores focused actions to boost your forecasting accuracy within a concise 30-day period. It delves into key forecasting principles and presents them through a lens that matches your background and specific goals. By synthesizing a wide array of expert knowledge, it examines practical techniques and common pitfalls, guiding you step-by-step to enhance your predictive skills. This personalized approach ensures that the content aligns with your unique interests, enabling a more efficient learning experience. Whether you're refining existing methods or building new skills, this book reveals a clear path to accelerate your forecasting capabilities, making complex concepts more approachable and immediately applicable.

Tailored Guide
Forecast Optimization
3,000+ Books Generated
Best for machine learning time series experts
Manu Joseph is a renowned author and expert in data science and machine learning. With a strong background in Python programming and statistical analysis, he has contributed significantly to the field through his books and practical guides. His work focuses on making complex concepts accessible to practitioners and enthusiasts alike, helping them leverage modern techniques in real-world applications.
2022·552 pages·Time series, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Forecasting Models, Feature Engineering

Drawing from his expertise in data science and machine learning, Manu Joseph offers a detailed exploration of time series forecasting that moves well beyond traditional ARIMA models. You’ll learn to handle, visualize, and engineer features for time series data, applying machine learning and deep learning models like gradient-boosted trees, LSTMs, and transformers on real-world datasets. The book tackles advanced topics such as global forecasting models and cross-validation strategies, making it particularly useful if you want to scale forecasting systems across millions of series. If you're comfortable with Python and eager to push past classical methods into modern, industry-ready forecasting techniques, this book will serve you well.

View on Amazon
Best for R programmers blending stats and ML
Rami Krispin is a data scientist at a major Silicon Valley company specializing in time series analysis and forecasting. He also develops popular R packages like TSstudio that support time series applications. Holding advanced degrees in applied economics and actuarial mathematics from the University of Michigan, Krispin brings a strong quantitative foundation to this book, which reflects his practical experience and deep knowledge in time series modeling with R.
2019·448 pages·Time series, Forecasting, Data Visualization, Statistical Analysis, Machine Learning

Rami Krispin’s expertise as a Silicon Valley data scientist and R package developer informs this focused guide on time series analysis using R. The book equips you with concrete skills in handling time series data—from preprocessing with packages like lubridate and xts to applying classical forecasting models such as ARIMA and Holt-Winters. It also ventures into machine learning approaches, including Random Forest and Gradient Boosting with the h2o package, providing a balanced perspective between traditional statistics and modern algorithms. This book suits data analysts and scientists eager to deepen their practical R skills specifically for time series forecasting.

View on Amazon
Best for neuroscientists analyzing brain signals
Mike X Cohen is Assistant Professor at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior and the University Medical Center in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. His expertise in neural data analysis and computational neuroscience underpins this detailed guide, designed to make complex mathematical concepts accessible to cognitive scientists and psychologists. Driven by a desire to clarify how and why neural signal analyses are performed, Cohen offers readers a clear path from theory to Matlab practice, making it an essential resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of brain time series data.
2014·600 pages·Time series, Neuroscience, Data Analysis, Signal Processing, Matlab Programming

What if everything you thought you knew about analyzing brain signals was challenged? Mike X Cohen, an assistant professor at the Donders Institute, wrote this book to bridge the gap between complex mathematics and practical application in neural data analysis. You’ll explore detailed methods for interpreting MEG, EEG, and LFP recordings, including hands-on Matlab implementations that demystify fundamental concepts like the Fourier transform and signal synchronization. This book suits cognitive scientists, neuroscientists, and psychologists who want to move beyond black-box software and truly understand the intricacies of neural time series analysis.

View on Amazon

Get Your Personal Time Series Guide Fast

Stop sifting through generic advice. Get strategies that fit your unique time series needs.

Targeted learning paths
Efficient skill building
Actionable insights

Trusted by top Time series experts worldwide

Time Series Mastery Blueprint
30-Day Forecasting System
Cutting-Edge Trends Code
Neural Analysis Secrets

Conclusion

These eight books collectively emphasize three key themes: blending statistical rigor with practical application, balancing traditional and modern machine learning methods, and addressing domain-specific challenges from supply chains to neuroscience.

If you’re new to time series, starting with foundational texts like Introduction to Time Series and Forecasting and Practical Time Series Forecasting with R will ground you in essential concepts. For practitioners ready to implement advanced models, books like Modern Time Series Forecasting with Python and Time Series Analysis with Python Cookbook offer detailed guidance.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Time series book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and make confident strides in mastering time series analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If you're just beginning, Introduction to Time Series and Forecasting offers a solid foundation. For business-focused applications, Practical Time Series Forecasting with R is approachable and practical.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Time series?

Not at all. While some books dive deep, several like Hands-On Time Series Analysis with R balance theory with accessible examples, making them suitable for newcomers with basic statistics knowledge.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational texts, then move to applied guides like Data Science for Supply Chain Forecasting, and finally explore advanced machine learning approaches with Modern Time Series Forecasting with Python.

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

You can pick based on your goals. For instance, choose Analyzing Neural Time Series Data if focused on neuroscience or Time Series Analysis with Python Cookbook for Python-centric techniques.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

Introduction to Time Series and Forecasting leans toward theory, while Practical Time Series Forecasting with R and Data Science for Supply Chain Forecasting emphasize real-world application.

Can I get customized advice tailored to my specific Time series needs?

Yes! While these expert books offer solid frameworks, personalized books tailor content to your background and goals. You can explore this option by creating a personalized Time series book that complements expert insights perfectly.

📚 Love this book list?

Help fellow book lovers discover great books, share this curated list with others!