Making better coffee isn’t just about new gear or perfect recipes—it’s about learning and understanding what’s happening in and outside of the cup. This monthly reading list brings together books that deepen your skills over time, from brewing fundamentals and flavor science to coffee history and culture. Think of it as a slow, steady way to improve your coffee practice, one book (and one brew) at a time.
Discover a gentle metaphor wrapped in a story: when faced with pressure—like a coffee bean in hot water—you can choose to transform your environment instead of being changed by it. This illustrated fable invites readers to embrace courage, hope, and positive action in everyday life.
Why this book for January:
Start simple. This book isn't about brewing coffee, but becoming one with the bean.
Set a positive mindset at the beginning of the year
Apply it to anything you want to achieve, not just getting better at making coffee
Beginner friendly, yet useful for seasoned pros. This extensive, freshly updated guide walks readers through coffee’s journey from origin to cup, with maps, origin profiles, cultivation stories, and brewing tips. It’s the perfect gift for anyone curious about the global roots and endless variety behind their daily brew.
Why this book for February:
Enter the world of coffee with a thorough overview of its parts
Enjoy the clear and concise explanations of @jimseven
Learn where coffee comes from and what the potential is
The Home Barista is a practical guide for anyone who wants to make better coffee at home without turning their kitchen into a café. Tom Saxon breaks down the essentials of espresso and milk-based drinks in a clear, approachable way, covering equipment, technique, and common mistakes. The focus is on building confidence, consistency, and good habits—helping home brewers get café-quality results using the tools they already have.
If you speak Dutch, dive into De Nieuwe Barista, the ultimate handbook for coffee lovers and aspiring professionals. Written by multi-champions Rose van Asten and Wendelien van Bunnik, this book takes you from bean to brew with clear techniques, modern methods and practical tips rooted in real-world café experience.
Why these books for March:
Start your brewing journey with a practical how-to guide
Cover the basics of brewing and get started with experimenting right away with the tools you have at home
Build confidence with easily achievable results without getting lost in too much information
Great coffee doesn't require expensive equipment—it requires understanding. World champion barista James Hoffmann (better known as @jimseven) demystifies exceptional home brewing, transforming your kitchen into a source of consistently excellent coffee.
Why this book for April:
Explore other great how-to guide delivered in a clear and concise form
Expand your collection of recipes and techniques with insights from another coffee professional
Get excited about new and alternative brewing methods
The Devil’s Cup is a journey through the history of coffee, told through travel, stories, and firsthand experiences. Stewart Lee Allen travels across coffee-producing regions and historic cities to explore how coffee has shaped cultures, politics, and daily life—and why it was once seen as a dangerous drink. The book mixes history with personal encounters, making coffee’s past easy to follow and engaging.
Why this book for May:
Take a break from practical knowledge and go back to coffee's crucial component—people
Learn about the actual history of coffee through an engaging travelogue
Graduate from basic overviews and dive into real anecdotes and experiences from a travel writer
See the coffee industry through the eyes of a non-coffee professional
Coffee in Italy Sucks is a personal, provocative exploration of Italian coffee culture from someone who once thought the problem was her palate—only to discover it was the coffee itself.
Valentina Palange takes readers on a journey from bitter first impressions to deeper understanding, challenging long-held myths about espresso and bar coffee while uncovering the hidden realities of how coffee is produced, sold, and valued. Along the way, she blends engaging stories, myth-busting insights, recipes to try at home, and honest questions about what we’re really drinking and why we drink it.
Why this book for June:
Unlearn preconceived notions and start stepping outside the box
Divulge from the basics and foundations to develop your own experiences
Learn coffee techniques from someone with deep roots in Italian coffee culture but a vision for specialty coffee quality
Anthropologist Edward Fischer explores how value, taste, culture, and economics intersect in the global coffee trade in a case study of Mayan people in Guatemala. A compelling, thought-provoking read for anyone who wants to understand coffee not just as a drink, but as a system and a story shaped by people.
Why this book for July:
Continue diving into the uncomfortable truths of the industry
Learn how to actually make better coffee, not just in your brew but for the supply chain
Understand the important values behind specialty coffee
A wild, true tale of grit, hope, and coffee’s ancient roots. The Monk of Mokha follows Mokhtar Alkhanshali, a Yemeni-American who leaves San Francisco to resurrect the forgotten heritage of Yemeni coffee, only to find himself caught in war and forced to fight for both his dream and his life.
Why this book for August:
Take a break from heavy reading to enjoy an engaging story in the summertime
Understand the passion that drives specialty coffee people and learn how far it can take someone
From cup to company, The Business of Specialty Coffee navigates the commercial currents behind specialty coffee with clarity and depth. Structured in eight parts, Maxwell Dashwood, co-founder of Colonna Coffee in the UK, walks you through industry foundations, values, branding, strategies, and market trends (without prescribing a single “right” path).
Why this book for September:
Summer is over, time to get back to business
Learn the coffee business inside and out
Read how each point on the supply chain impacts coffee quality
Understand what drives coffee businesses to know how to make your own evaluations and judgements on what you consume
What happens when an astrophysicist turns their curiosity toward the humble cup of filter coffee? In The Physics of Filter Coffee, Jonathan Gagné applies scientific rigor to the art of brewing, revealing how variables like grind size, temperature, turbulence, and flow rate shape what ends up in your mug.
Blending research, experimentation, and practical guidance, Gagné transforms complex science into accessible insights that help both professionals and dedicated home brewers refine their craft.
Why this book for October:
Get better at making coffee on a seriously scientific level
Challenge yourself—this is not an easy read, but after 9 months of improvements, you're ready
Step into a world where epic quests take a back-seat and warm brews take center stage. Legends & Lattes follows a battle-worn orc warrior named Viv as she trades her sword for a coffee machine and opens a cozy tavern—turning a fantasy world into a cozy café filled with friendship, comfort, and good coffee. It’s a gentle, uplifting story about healing, community, and the simple joy of sharing a cup together (though it also includes the trials and tribulations of starting a coffee business as a first-time entrepreneur).
Why this book for November:
Put textbooks and serious reading aside—November is the time to get cozy
Remind yourself of the joys that a good cup of coffee can bring: company and connections
From the café floors of Melbourne to the global coffee stage, Bloom tells the story of Mikael Jasin’s journey with resilience, discipline, and purpose. Written by coffee journalist Tigger Chaturabul, this biography follows the 2024 World Barista Champion from his Indonesian roots through years of dedication in Australia’s café culture, exploring the values of hard work, humility, and intentional living along the way. More than a story about titles or competition, Bloom offers inspiration for coffee lovers, creatives, and anyone pursuing their craft with care and conviction.
Why this book for December:
End the year on a reflective note and a growth mindset
Learn how the world champion makes his coffee, but more importantly, what steps he took to be the best in the world at it, too
Get inspired for another year of coffee growth
Getting better at making coffee is a gradual process, built through attention, practice, and learning from many perspectives. Reading alongside brewing helps you slow down, notice details, and make more intentional choices, whether you’re refining technique, understanding origin, or simply enjoying the ritual more fully. Return to these books month by month, revisit them often, and let your coffee evolve as your knowledge grows.
If you’re unsure which book suits your coffee level recipient best, I'm happy to help. Just drop me a message via email or DM with what you're looking for and I'll suggest a perfect pairing.
August | The Monk of Mokha by Dave Eggers
September | The Business of Specialty Coffee by Maxwell Dashwood
October | The Physics of Filter Coffee by Jonathan Gagné
