An Architect's Short Reading List

One of my architects asked me for a list of book recommendations. I then thought, why not just share it with all of you. So, here it is, strongly biased, pretty personal and very incomplete - a snapshot in time…

I might update this list occasionally.

Great read on the many aspects of the software architecture role and what it takes to be successful as an architect. Gregor Hohpe also has a cool website with additional infos and articles:https://architectelevator.com

Essential reading for those interested in constructing dependable, scalable, and sustainable information systems. The scope and profundity of this book are truly impressive. While it demands a fair amount of focus to absorb, each page is loaded with invaluable insights. Caution: It might contain unsettling truths for those obsessed with immediate consistency. Among many other topics, this book may guide you in more fully understanding the concept of stale data and the methods to manage it.

Uses C# to talk about many helpful heuristics to design and write better software. Contains a good introduction to the idea of "Functional COre - Imperative Shell" among many other useful approaches.

The sub-title of this book says it quite well: What every programmer should know about cognition. This book can help you get better at reading and writing code. Many useful tips and insights with references to sound research.

The book starts from a simple yet powerful premise: Engineering as the practical application of science. While Dave Farley might not be the first to write about this idea and the many additional topics surrounding it, it is a thorough treatise of the subject matter with many helpful insights.

An all-time classic. If you haven't read it when it came out twenty years ago, this newly revised edition is a must-read. This book, by the way, details the original idea of the DRY principle that, since its inception, has been torn and twisted into something often devoid of its original meaning.

This concise book explores how we deceive ourselves and distrust others, focusing on the use of cognitive biases by our brain as survival tactics in our intricate world. Though not strictly related to computer science, it might help in making you more understanding of our human follies. It's an excellent choice for those who find Daniel Kahneman's 'Thinking, Fast and Slow' overly scholarly and comprehensive.