Books added in 1.6 split into power books, which give a permanent effect the first time you read them, and skill books, which give XP. Here are the effects, sources and prices based on the Stardew Valley Wiki.
Power books: 19, permanent effect on first read
Skill books: 7, 250 XP or Mastery points
Typical price: 20,000g (from year 3)
Bookseller: Visits town on set days only
Power books vs skill books
A power book grants its effect the first time you read it, and later readings usually give XP. Price Catalogue and Animal Catalogue give nothing on a reread. Skill books give XP in their skill, or Mastery points if you have unlocked the Mastery Cave. Reading books does not count toward any achievement.
Finding the Bookseller
According to English-language outlets, the Bookseller is in the northeast of town, just north of the Museum and JojaMart, and only visits on certain days. Check the community calendar on the board at Pierre's General Store for visit dates.
Movement and combat power books
Way of the Wind pt. 1: run faster, 15,000g; pt. 2 costs 35,000g after pt. 1
Horse: The Book: faster riding, 25,000g
Ol' Slitherlegs: run much faster through grass and crops, 25,000g
Monster Compendium: small chance of double monster loot, 20,000g (from year 3)
Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Thick: +1 Defense, 20,000g (from year 3), also from Artifact Spots
Dwarvish Safety Manual: bombs deal 25% less damage, 4,000g from the Dwarf
Mapping Cave Systems: 50% off Marlon's item retrieval, from the box behind the Adventurer's Guild (1,000 kills) or 20,000g
Farming, foraging and fishing power books
Woody's Secret: 5% chance felled trees drop double wood
Raccoon Journal: weeds more often give mixed seeds; reward for the second raccoon request or 999 Fiber
The Alleyway Buffet: better trash can finds; gold trash can near JojaMart
Jewels of the Sea: fishing treasure chests may yield roe
The Art O' Crabbing: 25% chance of double crab pot yield; SquidFest Iridium tier
The Diamond Hunter: stones mined by hand may drop a diamond; 10 Diamonds from the Volcano Dwarf
Treasure Appraisal Guide: better artifact sale prices; Artifact Troves or 20,000g
Friendship 101: befriend people faster; 20,000g or Lewis' prize machine
Book of Mysteries: slightly higher Mystery Box chance; from Mystery Boxes
Price Catalogue: shows item values, 3,000g; Animal Catalogue: Marnie's shop when she is away, 5,000g (from year 2)
The 7 skill books
Bait and Bobber (Fishing), Combat Quarterly, Mining Monthly, Woodcutter's Weekly (Foraging), Stardew Valley Almanac (Farming): 250 XP each (Mastery: 250, Farming 125), 5,000-10,000g at the Bookseller
Book of Stars: 250 XP in all skills, or 1,125 Mastery points; 15,000g; also from raccoons after the fifth request
Queen of Sauce Cookbook: teaches all unknown Queen of Sauce recipes; 50,000g after 100 Golden Walnuts
Woodcutter's Weekly can also be bought for 100 Calico Eggs
What to buy first
If gold is tight, buy cheap books with clear effects first. Movement books help with both farming and dungeon runs, and the 4,000g Dwarvish Safety Manual is useful for Skull Cavern prep. The 20,000g books only go on sale from year 3, so chase free sources early: Artifact Spots, Mystery Boxes and raccoon rewards.
💡 Tip: Many books drop from several sources, so grab them for free first to save gold.
⚠ Korean in-game names for books and the NPC could not be confirmed, so names here are translations. Bookseller visit days and location come from English outlets; verify in game.
Raon Community compiled this guide from official announcements and several guide sources (as of 2026-11-08). Rights to the game and videos belong to their developers and channels.