Read it
There are tons and tons of software development books out there, and each year this number is rapidly growing. It is clear that ordinary developer can hardly cope with such an excessive offer. With this in mind, the question is simple:
"What should i read? Which title will give me the most comprehensive and accurate information?"
This is a hard question. And as it's always the case with hard questions - there is no an simple answer.
At first, the huge variety of choices, compelling titles (like how you'll learn everything you need for xx hours, sometimes even minutes :) ), might push you away, you might think that most of that pile is crap (which is not far from the truth), but this is a bad excuse!
Bottom line is that this shouldn't be the reason for not reading books!
Someone who wants to read, and better yet - knows how to read, can benefit even from the bad titles (sometimes you have to learn how not to do things, and sometimes you can simply write a bad review about it). It is the job of community to read and recommend the good ones and read and tell others to avoid bad titles.
How many times have you decided to buy certain book only on good recommendations that you've read before. Or got it from a friend or colleague. Even further, how many times have you heard about new books only by reading other peoples reviews and recommendations? I do it on a daily basis.
I like to read. A lot. Sometimes i got the feeling that i do nothing else but reading. I read blogs, sites, articles, magazines, books, podcast transcripts - you name it. And even with all that amount of data around us, all the digital knowledge that is at our hands, reading (hard copy) books is somehow a unique feeling. I like that feeling.
It is true that with todays way of life (on a fast line) and with amount of work we have to do on a daily basis there is hardly a free time when you can escape from the everyday reality and start a private session with the author(s). If the author is an authority in the field, you can consider yourself privileged to have the opportunity to see how and about what this person is thinking...
Having this in mind, and the question from the begining, my advice to you is - read it!
If you have the desire (key factor for success) and motivation, if you can find time for this useful habit, you are on the right path. And you will not even notice when the best books will start filling you shelves and your appetite for knowledge.
Bon Appétit!