posted 11 years ago
"Core Java 2" contain lots of examples (fully functional applications) that you can further modify and "polish" for practice.
If you already have some experience with Java, then Volume 2 - Advanced Techniques is the right choice for you.
Though, you'll hardly find what you're looking for - a book "that had lots of challenging questions and sample projects that i can dissect and practice on."
If that's your goal, I'm sure that you can come up with an idea of something you'd like to create, that is the best way to practice.
The quieter you are, the more you are able to hear.