It's not about books; no book is going to make you a better programmer automatically any more than a book on running will make you a runner. Start programming a

It's not about books; no book is going to make you a better programmer automatically any more than a book on running will make you a runner. Start programming at whatever skill level you're at, start some independent projects, get a part time job...when you hit your wall, then find a good book. You're going to get a lot more out of doing than reading.