The 1.6 update of Stardew Valley introduced a significant new mechanic: collectible books. Unlike the previously existing Lost Books in the museum, these new books provide substantial gameplay advantages. There are a total of 26 unique books available, each offering either a permanent power boost or a one-time experience enhancement across various in-game skills.
Books in the game are categorized into two types: Power Books and Skill Books. Power Books provide gameplay-enhancing abilities, while Skill Books grant one-time experience points (XP) rewards. Players can collect multiple copies of these books, and any extra copies can be traded for items in the Book Seller’s trading menu. Additionally, every book can be given to Penny as a special gift, serving as a great way to utilize surplus copies.
The Book Seller and Marcelo
The Book Seller, represented by the cheerful NPC Marcelo, is the leading vendor for most books in the game. Marcelo appears twice each season, indicated by hot air balloon icons on the calendar. He is located across the river, north of JojaMart, and is available from early morning until 2:00 AM. Players receive an in-game notification whenever he is in town, making them easy to find.
Marcelo’s shop consists of two sections: a purchasing menu and a trading tab. The purchasing menu showcases a rotating inventory of available books, with prices ranging from 3,000g to 50,000g. The trading tab enables players to exchange duplicate books for various items. However, only books that have already been read and their powers granted can be traded.
Available trade items include Monster Musk, Artifact Troves, Deluxe Bait, Spicy Eel, Stuffing, Fairy Dust, and more. There are a total of 16 unique trade options, making duplicates particularly valuable for late-game players.
List of Books
Books are categorized into two types: Power Books and Skill Books. Power Books provide permanent gameplay enhancements, such as increased movement speed, reduced damage taken, improved loot drops, or special access to vendors.
These books are particularly valuable for players aiming for long-term efficiency and utility. There are 19 different Power Books to collect.
Power Books
NAME | EFFECT | OBTAINING |
|---|---|---|
Animal Catalogue | Access Marnie’s shop when she’s absent | Buy from Marnie (Year 2, 5,000g) |
Book of Mysteries | Slightly increases chance to find Mystery Boxes | Found in Mystery and Golden Mystery Boxes |
Dwarfish Safety Manual | Reduces bomb damage by 25% | Buy from Dwarf (4,000g) |
Friendship 101 | Increases friendship gain rate | Book Seller (Year 3, 20,000g), Lewis’s prize machine |
Horse the Book | Increases horse movement speed | Buy from Book Seller (25,000g) |
Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Thick | Grants +1 permanent defense | Artifact spots or Book Seller (Year 3, 20,000g) |
Jewels of the Sea | Treasure chests may yield Roe | Fishing or Book Seller (Year 3, 20,000g) |
Mapping Cave Systems | 50% discount on Marlon’s item retrieval service | Behind Adventurer’s Guild (after 1,000 monsters) or Book Seller (20,000g) |
Monster Compendium | Monsters may drop double loot | Monster drop or Book Seller (Year 3, 20,000g) |
Old Slither Legs | Faster movement through grass and crops | Buy from Book Seller (25,000g) |
Price Catalog | Shows item sell values in inventory | Buy from Book Seller (3,000g) |
Alleyway Buffet | Increases loot from trash cans | Hidden trash can near JojaMart or Book Seller (Year 3, 20,000g) |
Art of Crabbing | 25% chance for crab pots to yield double items | Squid Fest or Book Seller (Year 3, 20,000g) |
Diamond Hunter | Rocks may drop diamonds when mined by hand | Buy from Dwarf in Volcano (10 diamonds) |
Treasure Appraisal Guide | Increases artifact sell value | Artifact troves or Book Seller (20,000g) |
Raccoon Journal | Weeds yield more mixed seeds | Raccoon quest or Raccoon wife (999 fiber) |
Way of the Wind Part One | Increases movement speed | Buy from Book Seller (15,000g) |
Way of the Wind Part Two | Further increases movement speed | After Part One; Book Seller (35,000g) |
Woody’s Secret | Trees may drop double wood | Tree drop or Book Seller (20,000g) |
Skill Books provide a one-time infusion of experience points for a specific skill category. They are particularly useful for quickly advancing through skill levels. If a player has already maxed out a skill, the experience gained will instead contribute to the player’s Mastery pool.
Players can collect multiple copies of these books, and any extra copies can be traded for items through the Book Seller’s trading menu. Additionally, every book can be gifted to Penny, making it a great way to use surplus copies. There are a total of seven Skill Books available.
Skill Books
NAME | EFFECT | OBTAINING |
|---|---|---|
Combat Quarterly | Grants 250 Combat XP | Treasure chests, mystery boxes, or Book Seller (5,000g) |
Bait and Bobber | Grants 250 Fishing XP | Artifact spots or Book Seller (5,000g) |
Book of Stars | 250 XP in all skills or 1,250 Mastery points | Book Seller (15,000g), Golden Mystery Boxes |
Mining Monthly | Grants 250 Mining XP | Book Seller (8,000g), mystery boxes |
Queen of Sauce Cookbook | Teaches all unlearned Queen of Sauce recipes | Book Seller (50,000g) |
Stardew Valley Almanac | Grants 250 Farming XP | Book Seller (10,000g), Lewis’s prize machine |
Woodcutters Weekly | Grants 250 Foraging XP | Book Seller (8,000g), chopping trees |
Books to Prioritize
For players just starting to explore the book system, several titles offer high-value, lasting benefits that significantly enhance gameplay. Among the most important to prioritize are Way of the Wind Part One and Way of the Wind Part Two. These books offer a permanent boost to movement speed, which can be stacked with other speed-enhancing food and drink buffs.
As a result, daily travel, farming, and participation in events become much more efficient. Acquire “Horse the Book” soon after for enhanced movement. It speeds up horse travel, effectively transforming the player’s mount into a fast travel option for longer distances across the valley.
Another essential early pickup is the Book of Stars, which grants experience in every skill. This speeds up overall progress and converts to valuable Mastery points if all skills are already at maximum level.
Mapping Cave Systems is particularly useful for players who frequently delve into the mines or Skull Cavern. By halving the cost of Marlon’s item retrieval service, this book provides a significant safety net for recovering lost equipment.
Loot efficiency is greatly improved by acquiring the Monster Compendium, which gives enemies a chance to drop double loot. When paired with accessories like the Burglar’s Ring, it enhances both regular farming and special event grinding.
New players or those frequently evaluating their inventory should consider picking up the Price Catalog. This book enhances the quality of life by displaying item sell values directly in the inventory, eliminating guesswork and streamlining decision-making.
Finally, the Queen of Sauce Cookbook is a must-have for completionists and cooking enthusiasts. It instantly teaches all unlearned Queen of Sauce recipes, saving years of in-game Sundays and aiding in the completion of the Perfection Tracker.
These books represent some of the most impactful and versatile options available, making them ideal early investments for any Stardew Valley player.
Reading Duplicate Books
Reading duplicates of certain books can have different effects, depending on the title and its primary purpose. For a small group of books, such as the Animal Catalogue and Price Catalogue, reading a duplicate offers no additional benefits. These books are single-use upgrades, meaning they offer no additional utility upon re-reading.
Most Power Books offer an experience reward when reread. Books that align with specific skills provide 100 XP in their respective categories. For example, rereading Mapping Cave Systems, Monster Compendium, or Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Thick grants 100 Combat XP. Similarly, Woody’s Secret, Raccoon Journal, and Alleyway Buffet yield 100 Foraging XP. Fishing-oriented books, such as Jewels of the Sea and Art of Crabbing, deliver 100 Fishing XP. Additionally, Dwarfish Safety Manual and Diamond Hunter provide 100 Mining XP.
For all other Power Books not explicitly tied to a single skill, each rereading offers a balanced reward of 20 XP across every skill. This ensures that even general-use books continue to offer modest benefits when duplicated.
When a player’s skills are fully maxed out, any experience points (XP) earned from rereading a book are automatically redirected into the Mastery system. This allows for continued progression beyond level 10. Furthermore, players can exchange all duplicate books, regardless of their type, through the Book Seller’s trading system in exchange for valuable consumables or crafting materials.
