Maybe many software devs don't view themselves as engineers, but engineers can be held liable if their work doesn't live up to the current technological standards.
I would say, regardless of what you do, sometimes you have to take some time for introspection, unless you plan to live with the consequences of not doing it. And reading books is part of that.
If your employer is smart they consider that. If you are smart you also consider that.
Option 2: In lack of option 1, I am afraid one will have to spend ones free time on it.
Option 3: Take a "sabattical" or whatever it is called.
Option 4: Quit job and find an option 1 employer.
Just don't pretend like you don't have time. Everyone has time to read if they want to. You make time to do things you want to do.
If you have time to be on here reading comments you indisputably have time to read a book so just shut up and do it or don't.
OTOH, this:
> Everyone has time to read if they want to.
translates in my dictionary roughly to "whoever wrote this probably knows very little about life". Paired with what looks like a slightly aggressive tone, it gives an impression of a young and very inexperienced person who thinks (consciously or not) that everyone's situation is like theirs and/or who is reluctant to take on responsibility. (Of course, everyone is a dog on the internet, so what do I know.)
OYAH, GP's
> 8 hours free assumming you work 1/3 and sleep the other
borders on offensive – I would suspect most people on the planet have very serious responsibilities besides work, and telling them that 1/3 of their time is "free" might (and frankly, maybe even should) result in a punch in the face. Instead of punching the GP, I wanted to (more or less) subtly point that out...