Just launched my first webapp, built to teach myself Python and Django. Don't get too wrapped up in books and just think of a webapp to build... and then do it. I know infinitely more now because I would think, "I need so and so" and through Googling/Stack Overflow/friends, I'd figure out how to launch it.

I did Learn Python the Hard Way to start, then the main Django tutorial as well as Kenneth Love's blog tutorial at http://gigantuan.net/ (as well as lots of random tutorials/blog posts). Otherwise, I haven't read any books.

The app launched last night: http://www.weddinginvitelove.com

tl;dr: Make sure you're learning by doing. Make a random web app, it'll help things "stick" way faster.