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Data Analytics Book Recommendations
If there is one aspect of data analytics that I’ve realised is exceptionally important, it is the ability to tell a story with data. A crucial part of this equation is understanding data analytics applicability for business, and data visualisation. Below are seven books I highly recommend for data analytics specialists – from beginners to experts, and even executives. As data analytics becomes a core part of every business, it is important that everyone understands the impact and power of data.
How Charts Lie: Getting Smarter about Visual Information
This is one of my top books I’ve read this year for explaining how poorly designed charts can often tell a different story to the one intended! As chart designers, we often think that everyone views the chart the same way we do, this book dispels this myth! This book is a must-read for anyone who creates charts or data visuals – or consumes them even via the news. In other words, I think everyone should read this book.
Data Smart: Using Data Science to Transform Information into Insight
When people think of data analytics, it often brings to mind R or Python programming. This book shows that most data analytics concepts can not only be explained but in fact built-in Microsoft Excel. It should be no surprise to anyone who listens to the Financial Modelling Podcast that I think Microsoft Excel is a highly underrated analytics and even visualisation tool. This book explains data science concepts using a software package that not only most people understand, but one that most people already have easy access to. This book is a must-read for anyone starting their data analytics journey and doesn’t feel like learning to code just yet. I am also a technical editor of this book (the 2nd edition).
Data Visualisation: A Handbook for Data Driven Design
Another data visualisation handbook for data designers and story tellers. This book will open your mind to the possibilities of data visualisations. From the three phases of understanding data to the visualisation design process, Kirk takes us on a data storytelling journey. Ultimately it comes down to three key design principles – is your data visualisation trustworthy, accessible and elegant? This book has made me rethink a lot of my own charts and graphs.
Fundamentals of Data Visualization: A Primer on Making Informative and Compelling Figures
Scientific in its thinking, don’t be surprised to be reading about cartesian coordinate systems and histograms when you pick up this book. This is a great book for data scientists, with a whole chapter dedicated to visualising uncertainty. If you’re a data scientist trying to convince your organisation to change its ways – then this book is your data designing go-to guide.
Data Science for Business: What You Need to Know about Data Mining and Data-Analytic Thinking
This book is one for executives who wish to lead a data-driven organisation. It gives a good background into data science, and its adoption into corporate America by Capital One. It combines practical examples with the core foundations of data analytics and engineering, in an accessible way for non-data practitioners.
Storytelling with Data: A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals
I was fortunate enough to pick up a second-hand version of this book on Amazon. I have both books in this series by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, the second one is Practice in the compendium. This is a guidebook for business professionals who wish to improve their data design thinking and skills. I knew I’d like this book when I saw sections on removing clutter (read more on my Analytics Zen thoughts) and storytelling (a crucial skill for data analytics to have).
In a world where every decision increasingly relies on data and precision, having the right tools at your fingertips can make all the difference. Whether you’re building complex financial models, visualising scenarios or refining your analytical edge, investing in resources that enhance your craft is ALWAYS worthwhile. I love continuously referring back to my books!