6 Must-Read Spring Boot and Spring Framework Books for Java developers in 2026

Source: Dev.to

Spring Framework is one of the most popular Java frameworks, used for both core and web applications. It’s a highly sought‑after skill for Java developers, and many beginners and intermediate programmers look for the right books to master Spring, Spring Boot, Spring Cloud, Spring Batch, and Spring Security.

Below are six highly‑recommended books that cover the Spring ecosystem, from fundamentals to advanced topics.

Spring Start Here – Laurentiu Spilca

“Spring Start Here” is a hands‑on guide that helps Java developers quickly master the Spring ecosystem.

• Rating: 4.7 / 5 (51 reviews)
• Focus: Core Spring concepts, building web applications, managing beans with the Spring context, REST services, and Spring Boot’s convention‑over‑configuration approach.
• Key topics: Spring Boot, Spring MVC, web scopes, REST, data sources, transactions, Spring Data, and Spring AOP.
• Audience: Beginners to intermediate Java developers.
• Extras: Print purchase includes a free eBook (PDF, Kindle, ePub).

Pair this book with an online course such as “Master Spring Boot 3 & Spring Framework 6 with Java” on Udemy for a blended learning experience.

Spring in Action (6th Edition) – Craig Walls

“Spring in Action” is widely regarded as the definitive Spring book.

• Coverage: Spring Core, Dependency Injection (DI), Inversion of Control (IoC), bean wiring, Aspect‑Oriented Programming (AOP), and Spring MVC.
• Advanced topics: Spring Flow, security, JDBC, messaging, RMI, email, WebSocket, JMX, and an introduction to Spring Boot.
• Audience: Developers who want a comprehensive, up‑to‑date reference (covers Spring 5 and newer).

Combine this book with the “Spring Boot 3, Spring 6 & Hibernate for Beginners” course on Udemy for accelerated learning.

Getting Started with Spring Framework (4th Edition) – J. Sharma & Ashish Sarin

“Getting Started with Spring Framework” offers a project‑based approach.

• Edition: 3rd edition, updated for Spring 4.3 and Java 8.
• Hands‑on example: Builds a full‑scale internet banking application across 74 sample projects, illustrating real‑world development.
• Core topics: Spring Core, Spring MVC, Java‑based configuration, annotations, SpEL, caching, email, JSM messaging, and AOP.
• Limitations: Does not cover Spring Boot or Spring Batch (focuses on core Spring).

For faster progress, pair this book with the “Spring Boot 3, Spring 6 & Hibernate for Beginners” Udemy course by Chad Darby.

Spring Boot in Action – Craig Walls

“Spring Boot in Action” focuses on simplifying Spring development with Spring Boot.

• Goal: Reduce the boilerplate configuration traditionally required by Spring.
• Key areas: Rapid application setup, auto‑configuration, embedded servers, and production‑ready features.

This book is ideal for developers who want to get up and running quickly with Spring Boot’s conventions.

Spring Framework 6: Beginner to Guru (Online Course)

While not a book, the “Spring Framework 6: Beginner to Guru” course provides an interactive way to learn the latest Spring version. It complements the books above by offering video tutorials, hands‑on labs, and up‑to‑date best practices.

Choosing the Right Book

• Beginner: Spring Start Here or Getting Started with Spring Framework for solid fundamentals.
• Intermediate: Spring in Action for a deeper dive into core and web features.
• Spring Boot focus: Spring Boot in Action or the Udemy courses mentioned.

By selecting a book that matches your current skill level and pairing it with a practical online course, you can efficiently master the Spring ecosystem and become a more valuable Java developer.