Yes, that’s what I do, as well as I can. Luckily, I can read a few other languages, and doing so always gives me an excuse to brush up my French or Italian :-)
To me as well, it seems, that many non-German media are less biased than their German counterparts. Not all, though, but sometimes I’m really lucky with them.
And just like you, I am a great lover of books, especially of those which give you detailed background knowledge about issues at hand. I’m a historian by training, after all, and as they say, a leopard doesn’t change his spots :-D
I actually envy you being a Historian. Unfortunately my interest in History came later in life - actually from doing Biblical Studies. And as well an interest in maps and demographics.
Then the interest in politics increased so did my interest in History and all the above. Even when I see a great movie like “A Beautful Mind” I just have to research and discover all abou the History of the person. And likewise anything to do with current conflicts....important to know where these places are and the History.
At any rate it always seems like I’m catching up Historically - but maps are so key to understanding world events.