EVERYTHING
FOR DUMMIES
THE PREMISE
I'm all about learning new skills - so it only makes sense that my favorite book series is the one that teaches you the basics in a clean, comprehensive format.
THE STORY
When I need to learn something new, I always turn to the For Dummies series. I once spent a summer reading mostly For Dummies books, and I've never looked back.
The series made me realize that the best way to learn is to understand the basics, in a structured way that contextualizes all the individual points (i.e., as opposed to learning skills piecemeal through YouTube or various Internet websites). It inspired me to dive deeper into pedagogy and user experience (see Everything Instructions).
Here's a ranking of my favorite For Dummies books. If you want full reviews, check out my Goodreads.