application of C++

everybody, I've just finished my course Introduction to Systems Programming, the last part of it was C++, I learned a lot of stuff, but all I used to write was some console programs, I want to begin to write something new on c++ (something with graphic windows or maybe small game) to improve my knowledge, from which point can I start and which books开发者_运维技巧 can You recommend, I found a lot materials but I don't want to waste my time for bad books, so need Your advice, thanks in advance

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I once read the book "Tricks of the windows game programming gurus"

http://www.amazon.com/Tricks-Windows-Game-Programming-Gurus/dp/0672323699

All though it was the only book i ever read about game programming, I think it's a great book. All the samples are in C++.

It has a lot of mathematical and physics equations that have to do with simple game programming and graphics techniques. It also teaches you to work with DirectX.

I read it a while back (at least a couple of years) so it could be that it's outdated by now...