This is why I'd never read a book to learn a framework or API. For me, reading is all about learning those core lessons that apply equally well across the decades (Code Complete was great for this).

Whenever I think about consuming information, I always first consider the half-life of that information (another reason why I rarely spend time keeping up on the news).

Maybe, but does the ideas, practices, and principle change often or at all for our profession? I find many old book still very relevant today, good books don't really age that fast.