PHP/MySQL Book Recommendations

Object-Oriented PHP: Concepts, Techniques, and Code by Peter Lavin

This is a great book for PHP programmers who are new to OO. It teaches you how to create and use your own code classes.

Beginning PHP and MySQL 5: From Novice to Professional, Second Edition by W Jason Gilmore

This is a great PHP/MySQL reference and is an excellent tutorial for those are familiar with PHP. It is must for the bookshelf for any PHP developer.

Essential PHP Tools: Modules, Extensions, and Accelerators by David Sklar

This is a guide to some of the best free add-ons to PHP. The five parts cover databases, hTML. XML, networking, and debugging, caching, & optimizing. It is another must for any PHP programmer's library.

Beginning Ajax with PHP: From Novice to Professional by Lee Babin

Ajax is the hottest new interactive web technology. This book is an excellent way for PHP programmers to learn and incorporate Ajax. Another must for a PHP programmer's library how wants to create the next-generation web pages.

MySQL Reference Manual by Michael Widenius, David Axmark & MySQL AB

This book is the printed version of the online manual. I find having the paper copy essential as I have a hard time wading through the online version.