Books Guide
The Books system was introduced in Stardew Valley 1.6, adding a new layer of permanent character progression. Books grant permanent advantages, skill experience, and quality-of-life upgrades when read.
TL;DR
Books are permanent upgrade items introduced in 1.6. There are 19 Power Books that grant permanent abilities and 7 Skill Books that give experience points. The Bookseller visits Pelican Town twice per season. Most Power Books can be bought from the Bookseller starting Year 3 for 20,000g each.
What are Books?
Books are items that, when read, provide permanent benefits to your character. They can be obtained from the Bookseller, found in the world, or earned as rewards.
How to Read Books
- Select the book in the top row of your inventory
- Right-click (PC) or press the use button
- The book is consumed and its effect is applied permanently
Note: In multiplayer, each player must read their own books to receive effects.
The Bookseller
The Bookseller is a traveling merchant who visits Pelican Town twice per season on random days. His shop is located near the town square.
| Visit Frequency | Location |
|---|---|
| 2 times per season | Near town square |
Bookseller Inventory
The Bookseller sells various books at different prices:
| Book | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Price Catalogue | 3,000g | Always |
| Dwarvish Safety Manual | 4,000g | Always |
| Animal Catalogue | 5,000g | Year 2+ |
| Skill Books | 5,000g - 10,000g | Always |
| Way Of The Wind pt. 1 | 15,000g | Always |
| Book Of Stars | 15,000g | Always |
| Most Power Books | 20,000g | Year 3+ |
| Horse: The Book | 25,000g | Always |
| Olโ Slitherlegs | 25,000g | Always |
| Way Of The Wind pt. 2 | 35,000g | After reading pt. 1 |
| Queen Of Sauce Cookbook | 50,000g | After 100 Golden Walnuts |
Power Books (19 Total)
Power Books grant permanent abilities. Reading all 19 unlocks the โWell-Readโ achievement.
Utility Books
| Book | Effect | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Price Catalogue | See item sell prices | Bookseller (3,000g) |
| Animal Catalogue | Access Marnieโs shop anytime | Marnie (5,000g, Year 2+) |
| Mapping Cave Systems | 50% discount on Marlonโs item retrieval | Adventurerโs Guild box (kill 1,000 monsters) or Bookseller (20,000g, Year 3+) |
| Friendship 101 | Friendship increases slightly faster | Lewisโ house prize machine or Bookseller (20,000g, Year 3+) |
Movement Books
| Book | Effect | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Way Of The Wind pt. 1 | Run slightly faster | Bookseller (15,000g) |
| Way Of The Wind pt. 2 | Run even faster (stacks with pt. 1) | Bookseller (35,000g, after reading pt. 1) |
| Olโ Slitherlegs | Run much faster through grass and crops | Bookseller (25,000g) |
| Horse: The Book | Extra speed when riding horses | Bookseller (25,000g) |
Combat Books
| Book | Effect | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Monster Compendium | Small chance for monsters to drop double loot | Monster drops or Bookseller (20,000g, Year 3+) |
| Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Thick | +1 Defense | Artifact Spots or Bookseller (20,000g, Year 3+) |
| Dwarvish Safety Manual | Bombs deal 25% less damage to you | Dwarf (4,000g) or Bookseller (20,000g, Year 3+) |
Gathering Books
| Book | Effect | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Woodyโs Secret | 5% chance for double wood from trees | Chopping trees or Bookseller (20,000g, Year 3+) |
| Raccoon Journal | Weeds have greater chance to yield mixed seeds | Raccoon quest reward (2nd quest) or Bookseller (20,000g, Year 3+) |
| The Alleyway Buffet | Greater chance to find items in trash | Gold trash can (between Blacksmith and JojaMart) or Bookseller (20,000g, Year 3+) |
| Treasure Appraisal Guide | Better prices when selling artifacts | Artifact Troves or Bookseller (20,000g, Year 3+) |
Special Books
| Book | Effect | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Jewels Of The Sea | Fishing treasure chests can yield roe | Fishing treasure chests or Bookseller (20,000g, Year 3+) |
| The Art Oโ Crabbing | Crab pots have 25% chance for double yield | SquidFest Iridium reward or Bookseller (20,000g, Year 3+) |
| The Diamond Hunter | All stones have chance to drop diamonds | Volcano Dungeon Dwarf (10 Diamonds) |
| Book of Mysteries | Greater chance to find Mystery Boxes | Mystery Boxes or Golden Mystery Boxes |
Skill Books (7 Total)
Skill Books grant experience points. Unlike Power Books, they do not count toward achievements.
| Book | Effect | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Bait And Bobber | 250 Fishing XP | Bookseller (5,000g - 10,000g), Mystery Boxes, various locations |
| Combat Quarterly | 250 Combat XP | Bookseller (5,000g - 10,000g), Mystery Boxes, various locations |
| Mining Monthly | 250 Mining XP | Bookseller (5,000g - 10,000g), Mystery Boxes, various locations |
| Stardew Valley Almanac | 250 Farming XP | Bookseller (5,000g - 10,000g), Mystery Boxes, various locations |
| Woodcutterโs Weekly | 250 Foraging XP | Bookseller (5,000g - 10,000g), Desert Festival, Mystery Boxes, various locations |
| Book Of Stars | 250 XP in all skills | Bookseller (15,000g), Mystery Boxes, raccoon rewards |
| Queen Of Sauce Cookbook | Learn all Queen of Sauce recipes | Bookseller (50,000g, after 100 Golden Walnuts) |
Skill Book Locations
Skill Books can be found in many places:
- Bookseller (various prices)
- Mystery Boxes and Golden Mystery Boxes
- Fishing Treasure Chests
- Artifact Spots
- Shaking trees with seeds
- Chopping trees
- Slaying monsters in mines
- Lewisโ house prize machine
- Traveling Cart
Re-reading Books
After reading a Power Book once, you can read it again for additional benefits:
| Book Type | Re-read Benefit |
|---|---|
| Most Power Books | 100 XP in relevant skill |
| Way Of The Wind / Friendship 101 / Horse Book / Olโ Slitherlegs | 20 XP in each skill |
| Price Catalogue / Animal Catalogue | No additional benefit |
| Skill Books | Same XP reward again |
Tips
- Priority books: Price Catalogue (early game), Animal Catalogue (convenience), Way Of The Wind (speed)
- Save money: Many books can be found for free before buying from the Bookseller
- Year 3 strategy: Most Power Books become available at the Bookseller in Year 3 for 20,000g each
- Penny loves books: All books are loved gifts for Penny
Data Sources
All book data is based on Stardew Valley Wiki (stardewvalleywiki.com) and verified in-game for version 1.6.