Reddit mentions of Core Java, Vol. 2: Advanced Features, 8th Edition

1. Effective Java 2nd edition
   
   
2. Core Java ~ Fundamentals
   
   
3. Core Java ~ Advanced Features
   
   
4. Pragmatic programmer This is a very good OOP design book.
   
   
5. Java Programming Language
   
   SO Guide on Java Books
   
   Better SO Thread

I've found that I gained most of my best experience on the job, and that staying at a job where I wasn't learning anything was a huge mistake and detriment to my career.

That said... I don't think I'm a super genius either. I did well in college and my GPA helped with my first few jobs. But I have lots of hobbies outside of work, and rarely spend my time at home thinking about the office. A lot of times companies aren't looking for the super genius type either... if they were they'd have a hard time filling staffing requirements. I think the keys are learning how to interview well, focusing on letting the interviewer know that you're willing and good at learning and having the basics of OOO down to a T. Come off as confident, even if you don't feel it. It never hurts.

As far as books go, here are some of my favorites:


Programming Interviews Exposed


Programming Pearls


Refactoring



I'm mostly a java programmer, so here are three absolutely necessary java books:


Head First Design Patterns


Core Java 1


Core Java 2 - Advanced

Depends on your experience. If you haven't programmed before, I think Big Java would be a good book to start with (it's the book MIT's Civil Engineering Dept uses to get them up to speed with Java). If you've programmed before, you're better off doing the official java tutorials followed by Core Java 1 and Core Java 2.

Regardless of the path you take, if you intend to do ANY kind of "serious" java programming, Effective Java is a must-read.

Finally, you'll want a good reference book. Gosling's Java Book is the definitive one, although you might prefer a book by O'Reilly.

Since you want to learn java and esp. OOP, I would say start with a good book. I like Core Java Vol. 1 and Core Java Vol. 2 but you can start with any book you like.

Download Java from Oracle since they have version 7 for Lion.

For editor, I would stay away from any full featured IDE like Netbeans or Eclipse in starting phase. Start with TextEdit or Sublime Text. Write few code by yourself and compile it using Terminal. This way you will learn the compilation process. All IDEs compile files automatically so you can't learn what is going on behind the screen. If you use command line, you will also learn CLASSPATH, packages, class creation etc.

You should use command line for first 2-3 months only or may be less depending upon your learning curve. After that you can choose IDE. By that time, you will also good knowledge to judge which IDE is good for you. Netbeans and Eclipse both are good and free. I like Netbeans.

Good luck with your learning process.