Reading list

Books

The books worth your time, sorted by where you are rather than by title. Each one has a note on who it is actually for — most quantum reading lists fail by sending beginners to graduate texts and then wondering why they quit.


If you only read one

Start with the O'Reilly one

Programming Quantum Computers if you write software, Quantum Computing for Computer Scientists if the linear algebra is the sticking point. Both get you to real circuits fast. Save Nielsen & Chuang for when you have a specific question to look up — it is a reference, not a first read.

Before you buy anything

Try the course first

The seven lessons here cover the same core concepts as the first three chapters of most of these books, with simulations you can actually push around. Work through those and you will know which book you want.