Introduced in the 1.6 update,Stardew Valley’s Books of Power give players unique perks when read. Currently, 19 of these books are scattered around the map andavailable for purchase at the Bookseller Shop. While some of the books can be bought or discovered multiple times, their effects are one-time permanent buffs that do not stack.
Despite their usefulness, not all Books of Power are worth pursuing — especially for players who aren’t perfectionists. If you’re able to tolerate a few empty slots in your character’s stats, it’s advisable concentrate on the following, especially when trying to determine how to spend your money at the Bookseller. We’ve meticulously tested each one to compile a list ofBooks of Power that are worth your money, time, and effort.
7Monster Compendium
Drop Doubles
Monsters prove surprisingly generous in death, oftendropping valuable itemsthat can be consumed, gifted, or sold. However, there’s a secret power capable of further enhancing your gains: theMonster Compendium. Those who peruse this Power Book enjoy anincreased chance of receiving double the loot from slain monsters. Just imagine the thrill of obtaining twoPrismatic Shardsfor dispatching a single Shadow Brute.
6Dwarvish Safety Manual
Bombs Aren’t As Dangerous
You’re a smart miner. Your pockets are full ofbombs that clear Mine Floorslike a breeze. But you also know that playing with dynamite has its own risks. Sometimes, your blasts can damage you. But what if there was a way to mitigate that risk?
Read theDwarvish Safety Manual, whichgrants you 25% immunity against the damage caused by your bombs. With this manual in hand, you can rest assured that your dungeon-clearing endeavors are much safer. The only downside is that the effect doesn’t stack; no matter how many manuals you read, the Dwarves have only devised a method to prevent a quarter of the damage.
5Horse: The Book
Ride Like a Jockey
In a farming simulator where slimes and skeletons attack you, speed is a must. While veteranStardew Valleyplayers can traverse the land as cowboys atop their trusty horses, let’s be honest:horses aren’t that fast. (They are technically only 1.5 points faster than running.) What you really need is to soar through the air like those racing horses seen on TV. Thankfully, version 1.6 makes that dream a reality.
By readingHorse: The Book,your trusty steed becomes exceptionally fast. Say goodbye to sluggish travel. In fact, this Power Book makes teleportation a less attractive option. Why not savor the journey while traveling from point A to B like a world-class jockey?
4Price Catalogue
No Bargaining, Please
Prior to v1.6, you had to ask for an “expert evaluation” to figure out an item’s price, which essentially meant the game lacked a crucial quality-of-life feature:Sell Price Tags. This forced players to resort to workarounds, such asvisiting nearby shopsor consulting external wiki resources, to ascertain a product’s value.
However, the game’s latest version addresses this issue. By reading thePrice Catalogue,your character memorizes all price tags. The Price Catalogue significantly enhances quality of life, saving players countless hours of in-game time.
3Animal Catalogue
Goodbye, Marnie
Plenty of players grow frustrated with Marnie’s way of running her show; she’s often nowhere to be found when you need her most. Fortunately, the developer, ConcernedApe, is aware of this annoyance and has taken proactive steps to addressMarnie’s lack of punctuality.
Recognizing that it’s likely too late to rectify Marnie’s time management skills, ConcernedApe has introduced a new Book of Power. This ingenious addition allows players toaccess Marnie’s shop counter and obtain whatever they need, even in her absence. It’s a modern solution to a classic issue.
2Way of the Wind
Now I Am Become Wind, the Destroyer of Slowpokes!
By default, your character’s walking speed is 2, running speed is 5, and riding speed is 6.5. It’s decent, but not particularly swift. Traversing the expanded world ofStardew Valleycan become a challenge as walking feels sluggish. Thankfully, inversion 1.6, that’s no longer the case.
Upon reading Ways of the Wind (Part One and Part Two),your walking and running speeds increase significantly. This permanent buff transforms walking into an experience akin to riding, eliminating the need tosummon your horsefor a quick visit to Pelican Town.
1The Diamond Hunter
Diamonds Everywhere
If we were to calculatethe drop rate of Diamonds by Mine Level, it would be as rare as 0.000016 per floor. This rarity stems from the fact that Diamonds only become available for mining after level 50, with a 1 in 500 chance of encountering them. However, the Diamond Hunter buff can alter these odds. With this enhancement, there’s anincreased likelihood of obtaining Diamonds,as it grants any stone a small chance of dropping them.
Before reading this Power Book, Diamonds are exclusively discoverable in titular Nodes and Gem Nodes. However, after absorbing its knowledge,Diamonds may be obtained by breaking any nodes and rocks, including those found on the farm.
