but if i'd have to recommend ONE book, i'd say https://www.parktool.com/en-us/product/big-blue-book-of-bicy... - because you can't exercise at all on your bike if it's broken
for random study reviews: https://www.strongerbyscience.com/research-spotlight/ , for nutrition and supplements: https://examine.com/ , for cycling, e.g.: https://www.youtube.com/c/DylanJohnsonCycling
I was referring to what you said about reading.
>i began spending a lot of time reading about exercising instead
if there's something interesting going on in the field of (strength) training science, it'll be linked and discussed there.
tbh., the guys there seem to adhere to the scientific method a lot more than the software developers i know.