Should I save my skill books?

[JiffyPopKids]

I'd like to know if I should keep my skill books and use them when I'm level 3 or 4 in that skill? that way when it's hard to get XP the normal way, the books will still give me X amount of points. (obviously depending what book)

[Pleadian]

I always use them straight away because you don't know if you will get the chance again especially on Interloper.

[JiffyPopKids]

That's a good way of thinking, but right now I don't think I'm going to die. (not to be cocky, RNG could destroy me) I'd rather take my chances reading my books later so I don't have to look in every corner of every region for more rifle bullets when I run out of them. (for example)

[Lonelywolf]

If I get duplicates, I'll read one now and save the last for level five.

[iwasa]

I play easy mode and will read the books asap.

Each book has a fixed number of points and each level of skill requires more than the previous one. The benefit from each book therefore declines as skill increases. Nothing wrong with saving books for reading later, but that is a matter of personal preference.

[Dread Arkive]

It's not a bad idea to save books for times when you are stuck inside during a blizzard to help pass the time in a useful way.

[sockpuppet12421]

One of the books you can not read if your skill level is high, I think it was the basic rifle book and it might be useless at level Three. Also, saving the books till later removes the value of an easy to start fire source, with the flint the succes rate of 90% is wonderful those first Fifteen fires to level your skill.

As a side note abouts books, I wish all books were readable and gave some benifit to a skill or skills, maybe even a combat or environmental bonus. Like a work out mag that kept you away from sprains or a medical journal for sickness, dare I say an adult mag for cabinfever.

[Bole]

Playing interloper i collect all books and save them for days 60+ when i am settled and weather has turned vicious. It just seems to be a huge waste of time to study early game when you need to be fed, hydrated, warm, no afflictions, not tired .... just to study.

But once i am settled i study for a week straight.

[riotintheair]

There's no long term benefit for holding onto them for later (they give the same number of points regardless). That said reading is a low priority item, and something I only do if there's almost nothing other than "pass time" as an option to spend time on for that hour (usually I'm warming up - if I'm warm there is ALWAYS something I should be doing outside).

[pazmac]

id use them asap, the extra skill points may make the difference to life or death

[Bole]

Speaking of extra skill, i just went for fishing for the first time in one of my new interloper runs with 1 skill. Expected 2 broken lines in 4 hours to be honest.

Got 7 fish, total calories when cooked 5000+.

This is something i never saw with level 5 fishing....

[Darthrascal20]

Since they grant the same amount of skill points no matter what level you are, I don’t think it would matter. In fact, using them earlier increases your skill, which can help you improve that skill. I’m just a newbie though, so I don’t know if it would help at all.

[Undecided Name For Now]

Seems pretty logical to use them ASAP frankly.
Naturally in harder difficulties you won't have as much time, but read them whenever you have nothing to do.