If you are looking for websites on Java, there is one ultimate that you should bookmark right away: Sun's Java central. I don't think I can keep count on all of the times that I have typed their URL. It contains the API definitions, development tool downloads, developer and tech forums and of course many articles on the latest development. http://java.sun.com/ For the slightly experience Java programmer, I can also recommend visiting Java World. I particularly like their many in-depth articles on many aspects of Java: Testing, using design patterns, performance tuning and much more. I personally subscribe to a couple of their newsletters. http://www.javaworld.com/ As for books, there are an incredible number of Java books around! For beginners, I recommend Roger Garside & John Mariani's "Java: First Contact" which covers both the Java programming language as well as general aspects of object-oriented programming. Also, SAMS "Teach yourself Java in 21 days" and books of that sort can be handy. Personally, I have half a shelf full with books on more specific Java topics: I/O, Servlets, Network Programming, Security, the Virtual Machine, ODBC etc. Nerdy bookstores are too big a temptation for me sometimes...