Begin with a project
Choose a question such as how to light a portrait or pace a comics page. Select reading that helps answer it. A practical aim makes comparison more valuable than a long unsorted list.
Mix kinds of evidence
Use instructional examples, visual histories, and close readings for different needs. A diagram explains a method; a historical image provides context; an analysis helps examine choices.
Record what changed
After reading, note one decision you would make differently and one question that remains. These notes turn a list of books into an evolving practice.