📚BOOK REVIEW: Sams Teach Yourself: Beginners Programming in 24 hours

Sams Teach Yourself: 

Beginners Programming in 24 hours 

Sams Teach Yourself : Beginners Programming in 24 hours 

by Greg Perry and Dean Miller 

Pearson Textbook (4th Edition)

ISBN 10: 0-13-583670-0

Where to Buy: https://a.co/d/b2TLimv

Goal: 

Was hanging in the library, decided to check this book out on the whim. 

Felt overwhelmed by the internet and the amount of information I was bumping into, so I decided to look at the Text Book section to figure out if there was anything that could help me figure out my career goals. I figured I wouldn't have a chance to become easily distracted with a book. 

Hope: 

I hope that I can gain an understanding of programming with python benefits. 

minimally, I can create a few things (projects) and add it to my list of higher level languages learned. 

I hope it all makes sense in the end. 

Outcome: 

OMG. Somehow I landed on Python. LOL But guess what, this book inspired me to keep going. the HTML, CSS stuff is fun and all, but I've always been curious about what Programming really looked like. 

I can officially add PYTHON to my things to do list. 🤣🤣🤣

📗 YES, highly recommended. (for all adults learners)

📕NO, for kids and anyone that hates technical manuals

📙 MAYBE, as a reference book

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📚Book Review: The Pragmatic Programmer

The Pragmatic Programmer

by Dave Thomas and Andy Hunt

ISBN 13: 978-0-13-595705-9

Where to Buy: https://www.amazon.com/Pragmatic-Programmer-Journeyman-Master/dp/020161622X#averageCustomerReviewsAnchor 

Goal: 

Ironically enough, my blog wasn't originally inspired by this book. But, I am happy to say that the title alone caught my attention. 

Hope: 

I hope to gain a better understanding of Pragmatism and how it correlates with Programming. 

Outcome: 

Honestly, I wasn't able to complete this book. I returned it to the library, but I intended on purchasing it or checking it out again. It seemed to have some excellent tips for Programmers when making decisions in the workplace and when dealing with projects. 

I will definitely be circling back around to this one and providing better updates. 

📗YES, for adults. Maybe even download the audiobook. This isn't a code based book but more or less how to approach problems and solutions pragmatically. 

📕NO, to Kids. (the end)

📙MAYBE, as a reference book, if you aren't interested in reading this type of information from cover to cover. 

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📚Book Review: Beginners Step by Step Coding Course - Scratch

Beginners Step by Step Coding Course - Scratch 

Learn Computer Programming the easy way

Penguin Random House 

ISBN: 978-1-4656-8221-1

Where to Buy: https://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Step-Step-Coding-Course/dp/1465482210 

Goal: 

Harvard CS50 requires me to understand Scratch for the projects. 

Decide to use this book to learn and do a few introductory projects to save to my website (portfolio)

Hope: 

I hope that it helps me to understand the logic of coding from a kids point of view and give me the confidence to move forward into more difficult things. If a kid can do it then I can. 

Outcome: 

Book was returned. Was a nice overview but NOT for my age group. Not very useful for me but encouraged me to continue looking into textbooks to learn versus online platforms. I wouldn't say SCRATCH is for babies, but I am beyond that point in my learning. 

Recommendation: 

📗YES, for Kids 

📕NO, for someone with beginner-level or moderate experience

📙MAYBE, for anyone super afraid to get started

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Circling Back

July 11, 2025

I am back to where I started; 

I was exploring LinkedIn Learning last month and became easily bored with the content. 

I have no justification for the boredom other than I felt like i was going nowhere fast. 

the course work seemed like college level (blah blah) all practical and not applicable. 

I considered exploring this site name PLURALSIGHT which i found to be a federally connected resource, but felt it would make me essentially feel the same......in short, I am back where I started. 

I returned to my original stomping ground and to the website that inspired me to start coding in the first place......@Traversy Media. 

💜WEBSITE: https://www.traversymedia.com

💜YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@TraversyMedia

This time, I spent $25 to take his HTML, CSS from the Beginning 2.0 course just to make sure I remember everything he originally taught me. 

SOOOO MANY FREE VIDEOS. 

Already I feel like I am back to my old self. I am so inspired by his teaching style/method that I am rearranging everything to make sure i take adequate notes and am able to give his course my undivided attention 

Maybe after i run through a bunch of Traversy Media courses and complete my planned projects; I will circle back around to those other sites and explore what more they have to offer. but right now i think the most important thing is to build my confidence where i feel the most comfortable. 

Note: I am taking all of my notes in this new app on MACBOOK called OBSIDIAN 

so far it seems far more superior than Stupid Notion which was a literal pain in the ass to deal with. 

as of this draft 7/11/25 - I was inspired to wake up at 1:00am to get on my PC and work towards my Full Stack Goal. (now tell me that isn't a great sign of motivation and inspiration)

I have my Traversy Folder and my Blogger Folder in one place now so that I can stay focused. 

Logging off - DYYANNA 7/11/25

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