C++ Literature

I'm in no way even a decent programmer. I'd like to become better, and have already settled on C++ as the language to begin with. I've learned quite a bit from reading documentation and online tutorials, etc, but I think it's time to read an actual book on C++.

What book(s) should I get and why?

Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs. The C Programming Language (it's a little dense).

just so you know what "a little dense" is, here are a couple of exerizes from the FIRST CHAPTER:

Exercise 1.11.  A function f is defined by the rule that f(n) = n if n<3 and f(n) = f(n - 1) + 2f(n - 2) + 3f(n - 3) if n> 3. Write a procedure that computes f by means of a recursive process. Write a procedure that computes f by means of an iterative process.

Exercise 1.13.  Prove that Fib(n) is the closest integer to n/5, where = (1 + 5)/2. Hint: Let = (1 - 5)/2. Use induction and the definition of the Fibonacci numbers (see section 1.2.2) to prove that Fib(n) = (n - n)/5.

you can find these exersizes here:
http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/full-text/book/book-Z-H-4.html#%_toc_start
 if you think Im making this up


If you get stuck, fall back and learn Python to build your skill
heres good advice, if you get *stuck* trying to design graduate level mathematics algorithms in order to learn how to program, you can just go be an idiot and learn a scripting language

here is better advice, admire the expertise that certain people on this board have, but do not take their advice advice as learning how to program. Learn Scheme by reading a good book like "The Scheme Programming Language" which can be read for free here:
http://www.scheme.com/tspl3/
and use a standard Scheme implementation like Scheme48 and leave non-standard implementations like Racket for when you have an actual need for it