welcome to ranch
like Prithvi told, K&B is the best place to start . Do lot of small programs, and always do the pratcice questions at end of each chapter. If you answered wrong, code it yourself and see where you went wrong, twist the code here and there and see what happens and try to understand why it happened!
once you are done with the book, re read it and do Master exams, Devaka's Exam Lab, and go for some good mock's like Enthuware JQPlus.
also visit ranch frequently and clear your doubts and help others with their questions!
all the best mate!
SCJP6, SCWCD5, OCP-JBCD5, OCE-JWSD6 OCE-JPAD6 , OCM-JEA5 1,OCM-JEA5 2,3,OCJP8 - Brainbench certifications: J2EE, Java2, Java2-NonGUI, JSP, SQL2000 Admin, SQL2000 Programming , Brainbench certified Java Programmer, Computer Programmer, Web Developer, Database Administrator