Don't read a book, write code. There are lots of open source projects that use C++, maybe try to get involved. Or just give yourself challenges. Rewrite some

Don't read a book, write code. There are lots of open source projects that use C++, maybe try to get involved. Or just give yourself challenges. Rewrite some non-trivial code you did in Python to use C++, for example, and ask experienced C++ people to comment. Also, as others have said, use Boost and STL if you value your sanity. In practical terms, I'd rather use C+Python or C+Ruby than C++. I template in a high-level language and move the stuff in tight loops or otherwise performance-critical sections into C.