Ask HN: A Book for Wannabe Programmer?

From time to time people ask me for advice on how to learn programming. This is mostly from people at work who are associates. They aspire to become a software engineer simply for a higher paycheck.

I am reluctant to tell them to go read SICP or Knuth's Art of Computer Programming. I would like them to understand what they are getting into before they commit to it.

I would like to recommend a book that really explains some philosophy or touches on the mindset needed to become a programmer.

What would you recommend to someone who aspires to become a programmer, but who has no understanding of what is required?