John Sansom

SQL Server DBA Blog

What’s on my SQL Server Book Shelf

Here you can find out what’s on MY bookshelf. I will only recommend books to you that I myself have actually read and benefited from, no exceptions!

New: Visit my Bookshelf for a complete list of all the books that I have read, enjoyed and recommend.

A Productive and Enjoyable Way for You to Lean More

1 FREE Audiobook RISK-FREE from Audible

I use Audible.com and right now they are offering 50% off of subscriptions for a limited time. A great opportunity to broaden your skills, learn and have fun.

Regular readers know that I’m a big believer of using any available opportunity during the busy day to learn something of value. Audiobooks are a splendid way to achieve this.

Each day I commute for roughly two hours, a perfect opportunity to turn otherwise wasted downtime into a productive and enjoyable experience.

I encourage you take advantage of this offer now whilst it is still available.

Books for SQL Server Database Administrators

Want to “really” understand how the database engine works, then this is the books for you. A must have title for the senior DBA.

This is not going to be the book of choice if you are just starting out with SQL Server, that is unless you really want to dive in at the deep end at get straight into the internals. There is an awful lot of content here and rather than something that you would read from cover to cover, this is a title that you will continually want to have close to hand as a reference in order to really read up on a given subject area, for example Logging and Recovery, the Query Optimizer, Plan Caching or Database and Data Files.

This is my go to book for SQL Server Performance Tuning.

Written by a variety of authors based on genuine real-world performance tuning experience rather than an understanding of the theory. This title takes a unique perspective and dedicates the first half of the book to understanding the hardware components that SQL Server runs on such as looking at CPU, memory and storage technology, before moving on to the second part to focus on performance tuning.

I actually like this book so much that I have two copies, one that stays on my desk in the office so that I always have it close to hand for reference and the second copy is on my Kindle. Yes, you can read SQL Server books on the Kindle, see my Amazon Kindle Review.

There are a lot of environments out there that still run SQL Server 2000. This book has stood the test of time for me. I originally purchased it back when working with SQL Server 2000 was the done thing to do :-) and it has stayed with me ever since. We didn’t have all the tools we do now to help us DBAs manage SQL Server back then.

This book will help you get out of a bind quickly when you can’t recall the performance tuning specifics for SQL Server 2000 off the top of your head.

If you’re a an Operations Support or Junior DBA then this is great book to have close to hand. It’s great to double check an administrative task before you jump in and get your hands dirty. Every operational support team should have a copy.

Best Books for SQL Developers

Professional Development

  • DBA Survivor: Become a Rock Star DBA – Thomas Larock – This is the book that I recommend to all new DBAs. It’s essential reading for every Data Professional.
  • The 4 Hour Work Week – Tim Ferris – Packed full of life and work improvement potential. All you have to do is to choose to implement it.
  • Eat That Frog – Brian Tracey – Short, succinct and yet very powerful if you apply the teachings. Can easily read in a weekend.
  • Linchpin – Seth Godin – This will change the way you think about your role and enable you to take your career to the next level.
  • Tribes – Seth Godin – More of an inspirational/creative read. Will definitely appeal to bloggers.

Books About Blogging / Social Media / Marketing

Other Books I Enjoyed Reading

Can you recommend a book that you think I should read? Let me know about it!