Best Book to Learn MySQL
I actually answered a question like this on July 9, 2011

Suggest a MySQL book for me

Let me expand on this answer:

When it comes to MySQL, the must have book is the MySQL 5.0 Certification Study Guide. I have studied this book with a fine-toothed comb. At the time I bought the book, there was an errata page (list of typos in the book) provided my MySQL (the original MySQL, pre-Oracle, pre-Sun).

It forms a very good base for learning MySQL. However, to keep things in persepctive, let me tell you my experience using the book.

I actually purchased the book in September 2006 along with MySQL Stored Procedure Programming and starting using it for everything tasks as a first year MySQL 5.0 DBA (I already had 2 years with MySQL 4.0 as Developer/DBA). After 10 months, I took the exams July 28, 2007 and August 11, 2007. I passed both exams on the first try because of two things: (1) Thorough study of the book and (2) practical experience.

Nothing can substitute for actual usage of MySQL. After proper due diligence and logging enough miles in MySQL, then this book will definitely help you get certified.

Other books will enlighten you further


MySQL Administrator's Guide and Language Reference
MySQL Database Design and Tuning
High Performance MySQL
Understanding MySQL Internals
MySQL High Availability


BTW Yes, I do own all these books. I have read them and still use them !!!