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Here are some of my favorites……..

For Basic Java/J2EE developer skills:

  • Core Java 2, Volume I: Fundamentals (6th Edition) by Cay Horstmann, Gary Cornell

This book covers all the basics for people needing a basic introduction to Java programming concepts.  This is a good book to start with if you're familiar with mostly procedural languages such as C or COBOL.

Buy from Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

  • Core Java 2, Volume II: Advanced Features (5th Edition) by Cay Horstmann, Gary Cornell

Although it comes with an "advanced" label, it introduces you to database access using JDBC and other topics commonly used in business applications.

Buy from Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

  • Core Servlets and JavaServer Pages, Vol. 1: Core Technologies, Second Edition by Marty Hall, Larry Brown

Gives you a basic introduction to web programming concepts such as JSP pages.

Buy from Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

For Advanced Java/J2EE developer skills:

  • Java Performance Tuning (2nd Edition) by Jack Shirazi

Covers performance tuning concepts in depth.  This author also runs a tuning site with useful information.

Buy from Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

  • The Struts Framework: Practical Guide for Java Programmers by Sue Spielman

Struts is becoming commonplace for presentation tier coding.  This is an excellent reference.

Buy from Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

For Java/J2EE Reference Material:

  • Java in a Nutshell, Fourth Edition by David Flanagan

Basic Java Reference material

Buy from Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

  • Java Enterprise in a Nutshell (2nd Edition) by David Flanagan, Jim Farley, William Crawford

Basic J2EE Reference material

Buy from Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

For Requirements Gathering and Analysis:

  • Writing Effective Use Cases by Alistair Cockburn

This is the definitive guide to writing effective use cases.

Buy from Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

For Design Patterns:

  • Core J2EE Patterns: Best Practices and Design Strategies, Second Edition by Deepak Alur, Dan Malks, John Crupi

Definitive catalogue of J2EE design patterns.

Buy from Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

  • Design Patterns by Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson, John Vlissides

This is the classic that kicked off the design pattern craze.  I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Buy from Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

For Project Management:

  • The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering, Anniversary Edition (2nd Edition) by Frederick P. Brooks

Old book, but a classic.

Buy from Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

  • Software Project Survival Guide by Steve C McConnell

Contains common sense that new project managers should hear.

Buy from Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

  • The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement by Eliyahu M. Goldratt, Jeff Cox

Novel illustrating common sense concepts for identifying and achieving goals.  Even though this is a factory setting, all of these concepts apply to software project management.  This is a quick and entertaining read.

Buy from Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble