NoSQL Distilled: A Brief Guide to the Emerging World of Polyglot Persistence, Pramod J. Sadalage, Martin Fowler, 2012 (Addison-Wesley Professional) - This foundational book provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of various NoSQL database types, their architectural styles, and the underlying motivations for their emergence, offering a direct comparison with traditional relational databases.
Database System Concepts, Abraham Silberschatz, Henry F. Korth, 2020 (McGraw-Hill Education) - A widely adopted textbook that covers both relational database fundamentals (SQL, ACID, schema) and modern database concepts, including an introduction to various NoSQL models and distributed database principles.