Learning a new technology can feel overwhelming. There are hundreds of books, tutorials, and resources available, but which ones should you read first? In what order? How do you know when you have covered enough of the basics to move on to advanced topics?
These are exactly the questions that Dargslan Reading Lists answer. Each reading list is a carefully structured learning path — a curated sequence of eBooks designed to take you from your current skill level to your desired goal, one book at a time, in the right order.
What Exactly Is a Reading List?
A reading list at Dargslan is more than just a collection of related books. It is a structured learning curriculum created by experienced IT professionals who understand the logical progression of skills in a given domain.
Each reading list includes:
- A clear title and description explaining the learning goal and who the list is designed for.
- A difficulty level indicator — Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, or Mixed — so you can immediately see if the list matches your current experience.
- An estimated completion time in hours, giving you a realistic expectation of the time investment required.
- A numbered sequence of books arranged in the optimal reading order, each with a curator note explaining why that particular book is included at that position in the path.
- Book details including cover images, authors, prices, and direct links to purchase or view more details.
Why Reading Order Matters
One of the most common mistakes self-taught IT professionals make is jumping into advanced material before solidifying their foundations. This leads to frustration, knowledge gaps, and wasted time going back to fill in basics that should have been learned first.
Our reading lists solve this problem by arranging books in a pedagogically sound sequence. The first book in any list covers the foundational concepts you need. Each subsequent book builds on that foundation, introducing new concepts that assume familiarity with what came before.
For example, in our Top 10 Linux Books for Beginners reading list, we start with command line basics — navigating the file system, understanding permissions, working with text files. Only after these essentials are covered do we move to system administration topics like service management, networking configuration, and security hardening. Jumping straight to security without understanding permissions would be counterproductive.
Featured Learning Paths
Among our reading lists, we designate certain lists as Featured Learning Paths. These are our most popular and comprehensive lists — the ones we recommend to readers who are not sure where to start.
Featured lists appear prominently at the top of the Reading Lists page with a distinctive orange border and Featured badge. They represent the paths that have helped the most readers and cover the most in-demand skills in the IT industry.
Current featured learning paths include collections on Linux fundamentals, Python development, PowerShell automation, and DevOps engineering — all areas with strong career demand and clear learning progressions.
How to Choose the Right Reading List
With multiple reading lists available, choosing the right one depends on several factors:
1. Assess Your Current Level
Be honest about where you are right now. If you have never opened a terminal before, start with a Beginner-level list. If you have been working with Linux for a year but want to deepen your skills, look for Intermediate or Advanced lists. There is no shame in starting from the beginning — in fact, you might be surprised at what fundamental concepts you have been missing.
2. Define Your Goal
Are you preparing for a certification exam? Transitioning to a new career? Expanding your skills for a promotion? Different goals lead to different reading lists. A career-transition path covers broader ground, while a certification preparation list focuses deeply on exam-relevant topics.
3. Check the Time Commitment
Every reading list shows an estimated completion time. A 40-hour list is very different from a 120-hour list. Consider your available study time and choose accordingly. It is better to complete a shorter list thoroughly than to abandon a longer one halfway through.
4. Read the Book Descriptions
Click into any reading list to see the full lineup of books with descriptions. If the first few books cover material you already know well, you might need a more advanced list. If the later books look incomprehensible, the list might be too advanced.
5. Consider Your Budget
While each book in a reading list can be purchased individually, you do not have to buy them all at once. Start with the first book, work through it, and purchase the next one when you are ready. Alternatively, check if the books are available in a bundle or series at a discounted price.
The Anatomy of a Reading List Page
When you click on a reading list, you will see a detailed page with several key sections:
Header Information
At the top, you will find the difficulty level badge, estimated completion time, and total book count. This gives you an instant overview of the list scope and commitment level.
Description
A detailed explanation of what the reading list covers, who it is for, and what you will be able to do after completing it. This is where you determine if the list aligns with your goals.
Numbered Book List
The core of the reading list — each book is numbered in the recommended reading order. For every book, you see the cover image, title, author, price, and most importantly, a curator note. The curator note explains why this specific book is included at this position — what it adds to your knowledge and how it connects to the books before and after it.
Quick Stats Sidebar
A sidebar shows at-a-glance statistics: total books, difficulty level, estimated time, and view count. This helps you quickly assess the list without scrolling through all the content.
Related Reading Lists
Below the sidebar statistics, you will find links to related reading lists. These are lists that share some books in common or cover adjacent topics. If the current list does not quite match your needs, one of the related lists might be a better fit.
Start This Learning Path CTA
A prominent call-to-action encourages you to begin with the first book in the list. One click takes you directly to the first book page where you can learn more and purchase it.
FAQ Section
At the bottom of every reading list page, you will find automatically generated frequently asked questions. These cover common queries like "How many books are in this list?", "What skill level is it for?", "How long will it take?", and "Which book should I start with?" — saving you time and helping you make a quick decision.
Reading Lists vs. Bundles vs. Series
Dargslan offers several ways to explore our catalog, and it is worth understanding how reading lists differ from the other options:
Reading Lists
Reading lists are free curated recommendations. They do not come with a bundled price — they are advisory, guiding you on which books to read and in what order. You buy each book individually (or find them in bundles/series at discounts). Think of a reading list as expert advice from a mentor who has been in your shoes.
Bundles
Bundles are discounted product packages. You buy multiple books together at a lower combined price. Bundles focus on savings, and the books can often be read in any order.
Series
Series are multi-volume sequential works. Each volume is designed to be read after the previous one, similar to chapters in a course. Series come with volume numbers and discounted series pricing.
The three features complement each other. A reading list might recommend books that are also available in a bundle (for savings) or that belong to a series (for structured deep dives). Use reading lists for guidance, bundles for savings, and series for comprehensive topic mastery.
How We Create Reading Lists
Every reading list at Dargslan goes through a careful creation process:
- Topic Selection: We identify high-demand skills and career paths where structured guidance adds the most value.
- Book Evaluation: We review all relevant books in our catalog, assessing their quality, coverage, and pedagogical approach.
- Sequencing: Books are arranged in a logical learning progression, ensuring each builds on the previous one without leaving knowledge gaps.
- Curator Notes: For each book, we write a note explaining its role in the learning path — why it is included and what unique value it provides at that position.
- Difficulty Assessment: We assign an overall difficulty level and estimate the total reading time based on book lengths and topic complexity.
- Review and Publishing: The complete list is reviewed for coherence, accuracy, and practical value before being published.
Tips for Getting the Most from a Reading List
Here are some practical tips for maximizing the value of reading lists:
- Follow the order: The books are sequenced deliberately. Resist the temptation to skip ahead to the "interesting" topics — the foundations matter.
- Take notes: Write down key concepts as you read each book. This reinforces learning and gives you a reference to review later.
- Practice actively: Do not just read passively. Set up a lab environment, write code, configure servers. Hands-on practice is where real learning happens.
- Do not rush: It is better to spend an extra week on a book and truly understand the material than to speed-read through the list without retaining anything.
- Revisit the list: After completing a reading list, come back to check if new books have been added or if related lists have been published. The tech landscape evolves, and so do our recommendations.
- Use the glossary: If you encounter unfamiliar terms while reading, check our IT Glossary for quick definitions and explanations.
Start Your Learning Journey Today
Whether you are a complete beginner looking to break into IT, an experienced professional expanding into a new domain, or a team lead building a training plan for your group, Dargslan Reading Lists provide the structure and guidance you need.
Visit the Reading Lists page to explore all available learning paths. Find the one that matches your goals, start with book number one, and begin your journey to mastery.
