When I volunteered at the Python booth at our local tech conference, the #1 question was "how do I get better at programming?"
Fortunately there is an easy answer:
Automate the Boring Stuff
By Al Sweigart
Instead of teaching "programming" or "Python", he focuses on actually doing things. First you learn some of the basics to get started, then you actually write real programs.
By narrowly focusing on about 30% of the language, you learn only what's really needed for everyday work. He's not teaching the next generation of "professional programmers", he's focusing on everyday people doing everyday tasks.
Best of all -- it's free. The author has very generously spent years of work, and chose to give it away!
There's even a workbook, to help practice and lock in the skills. It's also free! There's a video course! The first 15 episodes are free.