Ran across this article a while back that laid out some good references for JavaScript. As with most programmers who have done any amount of web-based programming, I have coded in JavaScript before, but it was more hacking together what was needed to get the job done than actually writing solid maintainable code. With the advent of Windows 8, HTML5 and the supposed downfall of WPF, I should probably start studying JavaScript in a more in-depth manner. The original article can be found here: What to Read to Get Up to Speed in JavaScript

The main pieces of what Rey Bango had to say are copied below for future reference:

Introductory

These are books that will give you the fundamentals of the JavaScript language and get you started:

• JavaScript: The Good Parts
• Professional JavaScript for Web Developers (Wrox Programmer to Programmer)
• ppk on JavaScript, 1/e
• Beginning JavaScript with DOM Scripting and Ajax: From Novice to Professional (Beginning: from Novice to Professional)
• Eloquent JavaScript (Online Resource)

Intermediate

Once you’ve gotten an understanding of the basics, it’s time to get a resource that will take you deeper and in many cases be your reference for years to come. These books fit that description.

• Professional JavaScript for Web Developers (Wrox Programmer to Programmer)
• JavaScript: The Definitive Guide
• Eloquent JavaScript (Online Resource)
• DOM Scripting: Web Design with JavaScript and the Document Object Model – Not JavaScript-specific but a good resource for learning to interact with the DOM

Advanced

You have a firm grasp of the JavaScript language and now you want to step up your game. These books will help you get the knowledge you need to organize your applications and build maintainable code.

• High Performance JavaScript (Build Faster Web Application Interfaces)
• Object-Oriented JavaScript: Create scalable, reusable high-quality JavaScript applications and libraries
• JavaScript Patterns
• Pragmatic Guide to JavaScript
• Pro JavaScript Techniques
• Secrets of the JavaScript Ninja

God Mode Reading

As Peter van der Zee likes to call it “godmode; the actual specification”. Want some deep reading and know every nook and cranny of the language. Here ya go:

• Standard ECMA-262 ECMAScript Language Specification 3rd edition (December 1999) – PDF File – This is what’s widely supported in all major browsers
• Standard ECMA-262 ECMAScript Language Specification 5th edition (December 2009) – This is what all major browser vendors are working to implement

Blogs

• ScriptJunkie.com – I’m a little biased on this one because I manage this site but I work hard to get really good content about JavaScript as well as HTML & CSS
• JSmentors.com – the JavaScript mailing list I started with Asen Bozhilov which provides a safe, professional place to discuss JavaScript and learn from the best
• DailyJS
• BadassJS
• JavaScript Weekly Newsletter
• JSMag – Monthly Magazine
• YUI Theatre – Tons of videos on JavaScript-related topics
• John Resig
• Peter van der Zee
• Peter Michaux
• Garrett Smith
• Juriy Zaytsev a.k.a. kangax
• Dmitry A. Soshnikov
• Steven Levithan
• John-David Dalton
• Stoyan Stefanov
• Benjamin Rosseaux a.k.a. BeRo
• Diego Perini
• Angus Croll
• Peter van der Zee
• Christian C. Salvadó
• Christophe Porteneuve
• Nicholas C. Zakas
• David Flanagan
• Rey Bango – That’s me! Here’s my feed URL. Subscribe!

What if *I* had to Choose Just 3 Books

If I had to choose just three books to have in my stash, I’d go with the following:

• Professional JavaScript for Web Developers (Wrox Programmer to Programmer)
• Object-Oriented JavaScript: Create scalable, reusable high-quality JavaScript applications and libraries
• JavaScript Patterns

Some may disagree with me on this but I’ve personally found each one of these books incredibly valuable. Professional JavaScript for Web Developers is a complete reference and covers EVERYTHING. All developers need a book like this. The book on Object-Oriented JavaScript is great to give you an understanding of leveraging one of the best features in JavaScript. Once you get past the basics, you’re going to want to identify key coding practices that make your code better and more maintainable. JavaScript Patterns helps you do that.