I am trying to read "Gang of four" design patterns book, but I feel I need something more practical and short - one that can get me thinking about real design problems. GoF seems more on the theoretical side.
I must add that I really prefer to see Python examples - Java/C# would be ok too.
Head First Design Patterns is a good book to learn Design Patterns.
I read Design Patterns In Ruby as my first introduction into design patterns (without knowing too much Ruby as well) and thought it was great. It is definitely less formal, but is still extremely well-written.
A really good and fun to read book for beginners: http://www.amazon.com/First-Design-Patterns-Elisabeth-Freeman/dp/0596007124
A beginner at programming or a beginner at design patterns? If the former, I wouldn't worry about design patterns just yet. I've heard good things about Head First, but GoF was my first exposure to design patterns and I still think it's the best. Particularly because I don't program in any of the languages they teach which forced me to think more abstractly.
I have found the wikipedia entries very handy. The starting page is here: Design pattern (computer science)
Check out each pattern for implementations in multiple languages. Most have Python examples. Very worth while investigating.
The "classic" and accepted standard for 15 years has been Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software by Gamma et al
All others derive from this.
This book by Shalloway & Trott is definitely a good, gentle introduction.