Algorithms Illuminated

Algorithms Illuminated by Tim Roughgarden really helped me understand algorithm design and analysis. Used it to prep for a masters in computer science, with no previous degree in the area. https://www.algorithmsilluminated.org/ The author even shares free video classes and other extra material.

Another vote for Tim Roughgarden’s work. As someone who recently became a software engineer without a cs degree, his Stanford Algorithms I & II lectures (similar content to his books) have been the best instruction I’ve had on DS&A. I’ve dabbled with Skiena’s book, Grokking Algorithms, CTCI, and I now also have a copy CLRS that I use for reference or to go deeper on certain things. But I revisit Tim’s work all the time. Can’t recommend him enough.

"Algorithms Illuminated" by Roughgarden. Very accessible. Reads like a novel not a textbook. Has exercises throughout the chapter to test knowledge. I recommend it over your suggestion that you want a textbook. This book will serve you much better.