Karl Castaneda
If you’re like, you can’t wait to get back into Stardew Valley, because the new 1.6 Update has just been released! Pretty much everyone knows what Stardew Valley is at this point, and we’ve got quite the interested in topic to talk about. In this little guide, I’ll share information concerning the Books of Power Locations & Effects that came with the update.
That being said, it’s important to note that much of this information is still being gathered and experienced in the wild. While I imagine it might take some time for everyone to learn the secrets of the 1.6 Update, I want to give you guys a head start!
Books Of Power Locations & Effects
Okay, a little bit of a disclaimer before we get started, as many players seem to be running across problems with the game. One of the most important things you can do when playing the new update is to remove all mods.
I know that we’ve all been playing the game with mods for a long time now, but Version 1.6 is relatively new. Honestly, it’s been a real rollercoaster on the road to the update, and Stardew Valley recently celebrated its 8th birthday, too!
As such, there’s no telling how certain mods will affect your game. It could get to the point where your save is corrupted, so be very careful when playing this game with mods!
The best thing you can do is start a new game, as everyone’s going to be experiencing this title for the first time once again thanks to the new update.
If that sounds like a bummer, remember that it won’t take long for the modders to get on top of all these new changes! That means you’ll only have to wait a little while before mod support for your favorite mod comes back.
The patch has also added a Bookseller NPC. This guy wanders about in certain times of the year (twice a season to be precise), and all you have to do is check the calendar in town, or the wall in your house. You’ll be able to pinpoint when the Bookseller arrives, and you’ll get to look at what he’ll have in stock. You’ll also need to learn everything you can about the calendar!
Now, let’s peek at what the Books of Power have in store!
The Monster Compendium
We’re going to go through all of the Books of Powerthat have currently been found, so let’s start with the Monster Compendium! This handy book gives you a small chance to gain double loot from a monster. How small exactly? We’re unsure about that. However, since you’ll be fighting monsters often in this game, you’ll probably find the Monster’s Compendium to be pretty useful overall, right?
As far as getting this to drop, I was lucky enough in the Quarry Mines, and I got it from a Shadow Brute, but others have claimed that they got it from different enemies in the Skull Cavern. The reason why this is important is because I have a hunch that you can get this book from pretty much any monster at a low chance.
Still though, if you’re on the hunt for this book, try the Quarry Mines or the Skull Cavern.
Mapping Cave Systems
This one halves the item retrieval penalty while in the mines. It’s one of the more straightforward books, and thankfully, it’s also one of the easiest to find. You don’t have to deal with RNG for this one — all you have to do is check the Backroom of the Adventurer’s Guild.
There’s not much else to say about this one, but the fact that it’s so easy means you can grab it as soon as you start your game! Also, here’s a guide to getting hard (heh) wood in the game!
Friendship 101
This one is a book that you can buy from that Bookseller NPC I talked about. You’ll need to refer to the calendar to figure out when the NPC arrives, but you can only get this on the 9th Summer of the game. As for what this book does, it allows you to make friends with people a little faster.
Speaking of Summer, here’s a Summer crops tier list in case you’re interested!
Typically, I would use mods if I wanted to do something like this (kind of lame I know), but now it’s nice to see that there’s a way to improve the overall process without having to resort to solutions outside the game.
The Raccoon Journal
This one is probably pretty tricky for most players to find. The Raccoon appears only in Year 3 onwards. At this point, all you have to do is head to the Sewer Entrance, and the Raccoon will be nearby. Give this furry critter at least four gifts, and the reward will be the Raccoon Journal.
As far as what the book has to offer, it gives you a higher chance of receiving mixed seeds from cut bushes. Oh, before I forget, apparently the Raccoon Journal can also be purchased from your wife for 999 fiber, but I’ve yet to confirm this one. Besides, giving a furry critter gifts in exchange for their journal is more fun.
Marnie’s Book
This one is kind of interesting. Have you ever gotten annoyed at the fact that Marnie seems to leave the shop whenever she pleases? It certainly makes it more difficult to adopt animals when there’s no one around.
This book is purchasable from Marnie, and it allows you to adopt pets even when Marnie isn’t in the shop.
SIDE NOTE: Confused about the layout of your farm? Here’s how to optimize your farm layout in Stardew Valley!
Jewels of the Sea
This book is obtainable through treasure chests you get from fishing. As far as the effect is concerned, it gives you a chance to receive Roe whenever you get a treasure chest from fishing.It’s nice and straightforward, and is a useful Book of Power, if a little on the boring side.
Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Thick
This one you’ll probably come across by accident. You’ll be digging up a root by the beach and the next moment you’ll find yourself snagging a book instead! Anyways, this book provides +1 Defense. That’s pretty much it!
Books of the Dwarves
There are Books of Power you can receive from Dwarves. There’s one book you can purchase that reduces the damage received from bombs by 25%. There’s also another one (goes by the name Diamond Hunter), that gives all stones a chance to drop diamonds when mined by hand. While the second book is rather specific, both are pretty useful.
By the way, you get this from the Dwarf over at Level 5 of the Volcano Mine. Make sure you come prepared!
From here on out, I’ll be talking about books you can specifically receive from the Bookstore NPC. Friendship 101 was a special case because of the timing, but the rest of the books you can get without too much trouble. Alongside this, I’ll be adding prices that the Bookseller will typically have for these books. That said, he sometimes changes prices, so it’s not a sure thing!
Way of the Wind (Part 1 and 2), 25000/50000
These books allow you to increase your run speed slightly. Once again, this was something I would use mods for, and I’m glad that the game is giving me a chance to increase QoL features without having to resort to mods.
Price Catalogue, 3000
For this book, it allows you to see the gold value when you hover over items. This one is yet another QoL feature that would’ve been nice to have at the beginning, but if I need a Book of Power to get it, I’m fine.
Horse: The Book, 25000
Just as the name of the book implies, it’s a book about horses. Well, in this case, the Horse Book increases your speed while riding a horse.
Ol’ Slitherlegs, 25000
This one is pretty useful, since it allows you to run faster while going through grass or crops. Typically there’s a speed penalty for that, but now it’s not so bad.
Woodcutters Weekly, 10000
This book gives you some forager’s experience. It’s a pretty useful book overall, but nothing too crazy.
Combat Quarterly, 5000
Similar to Woodcutters, except in this case you gain combat experience. These Weekly and Quarterly books will have similar effects where they don’t necessarily add anything new, but they do at least raise experience.
The Alleyway Buffet, 20000
This one gives you a better chance of finding items in the trash. If you want to unleash your inner raccoon, be my guest!
Queen of Sauce Cookbook, 50000
There’s a reason why this book is so darn expensive. The Queen of Sauce Cookbook gives you any extra recipes from the Queen of Sauce that you didn’t know! You’ll want to know everything you can about food in Stardew Valley, that’s for sure.
That’s it so far!
Considering the nature of some of these books (such as Jack’s book offering only +1 Defense), I imagine there are many more books hidden around. So far, these are the books that players (and myself of course) have come across.
I’m certain there are many more interesting Books of Power out there, but Update 1.6 just came out, so players are still trying to feel around.
For now, one thing to consider is that many of the effects of these Books of Power are related to the activity they’re tied to. For example, the fishing book comes from fishing, etc.
Have fun, and happy hunting!
Hey, while you’re here: Want to learn about farming coal in the game? Here’s how to get unlimited coal!
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