[chongli]

Generally, books that attempt to teach a specific skill will be full of exercises. If you read through the book methodically (not like reading a novel) and do all the exercises, I would be shocked if you did not learn that skill.

I guess a lot of people don’t do that. They skim through a textbook like it’s a boring novel and they make a few notes or they highlight everything or they fill the poor book with sticky notes in a multitude of colours. Anything but doing the exercises! And then is it any wonder why they forget everything a year later?

[doubletgl]

Yeah of course, if I'm already in the process of acquiring some skill, willing to do all the exercises, look up what I don't understand somewhere else, etc., I will learn that skill and the book will help and be a good foundation or guideline.

But the point remains: Just reading the book, as in consuming page after page, is not enough.

[klyrs]

This, so many times.

Indeed, books do not "work." Dedicated students work, and by doing so, they will learn.