At
http://shop.oreilly.com/category/deals/hd-programming.do there is an excellent deal of programming books including how to buy for the geek in your life:
The
hardest person on your list to shop for is Andrew. Why? Because he just
won't tell you what he needs or wants. It's not because he doesn't want
anything; it's just that telling you isn't logical. If he needs it or
wants it, he'll get it himself, right? In the meantime, you're left with
trying to figure out the perfect gift for someone who spends 18 hours
at a stretch in front of his computer (including meal times) and answers
most of your questions with, "Um, okay" while looking like he wonders
what planet you're from.
So here's the secret to making Andrew happy with your holiday
gift. Get him the perfect programming book from O'Reilly. Just look (or
ask him) what color his favorite O'Reilly books are, and select one you
don't see on his shelf. He uses ebooks, you say? That's easy too: ask,
"What do you think about JavaScript Web Applications?" Keep at it until
you find one he doesn't know. Sure, it's a little work but it'll pay
off. This year you won't have to see his unenthusiastic smile as he
opens yet-another-geek t-shirt that in a moment of madness you thought
he'd find amusing.


