Skyrim:Skill Books

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Skill Book are special books that permanently increase a skill by one point for free. There are five different books for each of the 18 skills making 90 in total. Unlike trainers, there is no limit to how many skill books you can read at one level.

  • When you pick up a skill book, you automatically start to read it, and therefore you immediately obtain the skill bonus. As with all books, you can read skill books without it being considered theft—theft only occurs if you select to "Take" an owned book while reading it.
  • If you want to save a skill book for later, you can ask your follower to take or steal it for you.
  • Two skill points per book can be achieved if you choose the Scholar's Insight ability, obtained from The Winds of Change quest in the Dragonborn DLC.
  • Generally speaking, it's more efficient to read skill books when you are at a fairly high level in that skill, as the time and effort it takes to increase skills at high levels is much greater. For example, leveling Archery from level 15 to level 16 can be achieved with just a few attacks, thus using a skill book at this point is a waste. In contrast, leveling Archery from level 60 to 61 takes significantly more attacks, so reading a skill book here is much more efficient. Using a skill book to level Archery from 99 to 100 would also be wasteful, because the effect would only last briefly - you would reach 100 soon regardless of whether or not you read the skill book.

Locations[edit]

Skill books are only available at the places listed in the following table, or as quest rewards (e.g. Hitting the Books). They are never found in random loot (They can be found in Seeker remains in Apocrypha), and they are never part of a merchant's inventory. Skill books can be easily distinguished from most other books simply by looking at their value, which is usually around 50 gold or higher. Most other books are substantially less. They can be sold to any merchants who trade in books, i.e. spell and general goods merchants.

Title (ID) Skill Author Description Location
SR-icon-book-BasicBook4.png
A Game at Dinner
0001AFC4
Alchemy An Anonymous Spy A spy's observations upon poison making and a dinner party
SR-icon-book-BasicBook7.png
De Rerum Dirennis
0001AFC7
Alchemy Vorian Direnni Tales about a creator of Alchemy Science
SR-icon-book-BasicBook5.png
Herbalist's Guide to Skyrim
0001AFC8
Alchemy Agneta Falia A description of alchemy ingredients found in Tamriel's northernmost province, Skyrim
SR-icon-book-BasicBook6a.png
Mannimarco, King of Worms
0001AFC5
Alchemy Horicles Biography of Mannimarco, the leader of Necromancers, in verse
SR-icon-book-BasicBook3a.png
Song of the Alchemists
0001AFC6
Alchemy Marobar Sul Book 5 of an incomplete series of fictional stories about the Dwemer
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeAlteration.png
Breathing Water
0001B236
Alteration Haliel Myrm Lessons on water breathing
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeAlteration.png
Daughter of the Niben
0001AFC9
Alteration Sathyr Longleat The history of Bravil and its famous statue of the Lucky Old Lady
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeAlteration.png
Reality & Other Falsehoods
0001AFCC
Alteration Summary of the basic principles of Alteration magic
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeAlteration.png
Sithis
0001AFCB
Alteration Text detailing an apparent connection between Sithis and Lorkhan
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeAlteration.png
The Lunar Lorkhan
0001AFCD
Alteration Fal Droon A theory about the moons Masser and Secunda
SR-icon-book-BasicBook6.png
Father Of The Niben
0001B008
Archery Florin Jaliil Translation of the fragmented journal of Topal the Pilot
SR-icon-book-BasicBook7.png
The Black Arrow, v2
0001B009
Archery Gorgic Guine Volume two of a story of revenge, and a true master archer
SR-icon-book-BasicBook2.png
The Gold Ribbon of Merit
0001B005
Archery Ampyrian Brum A man tutors his old friend in marksmanship
SR-icon-book-BasicBook3a.png
The Marksmanship Lesson
0001B26D
Archery Alla Llaleth How a Bosmer slave teaches his master's son marksmanship
SR-icon-book-BasicBook5.png
Vernaccus and Bourlor
0001B007
Archery Tavi Dromio How a short-tempered Daedra tries to make something of himself

(Only locations for the skill book are provided)

SR-icon-book-BasicBook7a.png
A Dance in Fire, v2
0001AFDF
Block Waughin Jarth Chapter 2 of a clerk's adventures in Valenwood
SR-icon-book-BasicBook4.png
Battle of Red Mountain
0002F83C
Block Vivec The story of the Battle of Red Mountain and the Nerevarine Prophecies from Vivec's perspective
SR-icon-book-BasicBook2.png
Death Blow of Abernanit
0001AFDD
Block Anonymous (with notes by Geocrates Varnus) The death of Dagoth Thras
SR-icon-book-BasicBook5.png
The Mirror
0001AFDE
Block Berdier Wreans About a skilled fighter's showdown with his greatest enemy
SR-icon-book-BasicBook6a.png
Warrior
0001AFE0
Block Reven The third chapter of the adventures of Eslaf Erol
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeConjuration.png
2920, Frostfall, v10
0001AFEA
Conjuration Carlovac Townway Volume 10 of a historical series about Vivec and the Empire
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeConjuration.png
2920, Hearth Fire, v9
0001AFE9
Conjuration Carlovac Townway Volume 9 of a historical series about Vivec and the Empire
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeConjuration.png
Liminal Bridges
0001AFE8
Conjuration Camilonwe of Alinor A Discourse On The Theory and Praxis of Traveling Between Mundus and Oblivion
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeConjuration.png
The Doors of Oblivion
0001AFE7
Conjuration Seif-ij Hidja The chronicles of Morian Zenas' journey through the realms of Oblivion, penned by his apprentice
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeConjuration.png
The Warrior's Charge
0001AFEB
Conjuration An old poem of the Redguards that deals with the constellations
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeDestruction.png
A Hypothetical Treachery
0001AFEE
Destruction Anthil Morvir A One Act Play
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeDestruction.png
Horror of Castle Xyr
0001AFEC
Destruction Baloth-Kul A One Act Play
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeDestruction.png
Mystery of Talara, v3
0001AFF0
Destruction Mera Llykith Part three of the story of Princess Talara
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeDestruction.png
Response to Bero's Speech
0001AFED
Destruction Malviser, Battlemage Commentaries of "Bero's Speech to the Battlemages" book
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeDestruction.png
The Art of War Magic
0001AFEF
Destruction Zurin Arctus, with Commentary By Other Learned Masters Mastering the art of winning
SR-icon-book-BasicBook7a.png
A Tragedy in Black
0002F838
Enchanting The story of a youth summoning a Dremora
SR-icon-book-BasicBook2.png
Catalogue of Armor Enchantments
0002F83B
Enchanting Yvonne Bienne, Synod researcher An incomplete list of all the spells and armor used in enchanting
SR-icon-book-BasicBook5a.png
Catalogue of Weapon Enchantments
0002F83A
Enchanting Yvonne Bienne, Synod researcher An incomplete list of all the spells and weapons used in enchanting
SR-icon-book-BasicBook3.png
Enchanter's Primer
0002F837
Enchanting Sergius Turrianus A guide for novices in enchanting issued by the College of Winterhold
SR-icon-book-BasicBook3a.png
Twin Secrets
0002F839
Enchanting Brarilu Theran A tale of an enchanter's path to discovering how to weave two enchantments onto one item
SR-icon-book-BasicBook5.png
2920, MidYear, v6
0001AFF7
Heavy Armor Carlovac Townway Volume 6 of a historical series about Vivec and the Empire
SR-icon-book-BasicBook7.png
Chimarvamidium
0001AFF8
Heavy Armor Marobar Sul Book 6 of a series of fictional stories about the Dwemer Skill books:

Ordinary books:

SR-icon-book-BasicBook6a.png
Hallgerd's Tale
0001AFF6
Heavy Armor Tavi Dromio Squabbling over the greatest warrior ever leads to a tale of heavy-armor-master Hlaalu Pasoroth
SR-icon-book-BasicBook2.png
Orsinium and the Orcs
0001AFF9
Heavy Armor Menyna Gsost The story of how Gortwog won the land to the north of Wayrest
SR-icon-book-BasicBook6.png
The Knights of the Nine
0001AFFA
Heavy Armor Karoline of Solitude The founding and breakup of the original Knights of the Nine
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeIllusion.png
2920, Sun's Dawn, v2
0001B010
Illusion Carlovac Townway Volume 2 of a historical series about Vivec and the Empire
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeIllusion.png
Before the Ages of Man
0001B012
Illusion Aicantar of Shimerene Chronicles the major events of the Dawn and Merethic Eras
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeIllusion.png
Incident at Necrom
0001B00F
Illusion Jonquilla Bothe A story about an illusionist
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeIllusion.png
Mystery of Talara, Part 4
0001B013
Illusion Mera Llykith Part four of the story of Princess Talara
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeIllusion.png
The Black Arts On Trial
0001B011
Illusion Hannibal Traven, Archmagister of the Mages Guild A summary of the debate which led to the Mages Guild resolution on Necromancy
SR-icon-book-BasicBook3a.png
Ice and Chitin
0001B001
Light Armor Pletius Spatec A tale of the manipulation of chitin armor
SR-icon-book-BasicBook2.png
Jornibret's Last Dance
0001B002
Light Armor Song involving men and women's parts
SR-icon-book-BasicBook5a.png
Rislav The Righteous
0001B004
Light Armor Sinjin Heroic tales of Rislav Larich, ancient King of Skingrad
SR-icon-book-BasicBook6a.png
The Rear Guard
0001B000
Light Armor Tenace Mourl How a lone man guards a besieged castle and how he obtains his food
SR-icon-book-BasicBook4.png
The Refugees
0001B003
Light Armor Geros Albreigh History of refugees fleeing the Camoran Usurper
SR-icon-book-BasicBook7a.png
Advances in Lockpicking
0001B01C
Lockpicking An experienced thief summarizes the intricacies of lockpicking
SR-icon-book-BasicBook2.png
Proper Lock Design
0001B01B
Lockpicking Unknown Written as a manual for lock designers, unintentionally helpful to thieves
SR-icon-book-BasicBook3a.png
Surfeit of Thieves
0001B01D
Lockpicking Aniis Noru How a busted robbery gets even worse
SR-icon-book-BasicBook3.png
The Locked Room
0001B019
Lockpicking Porbert Lyttumly How a pupil outlocks her cruel picklock instructor
SR-icon-book-BasicBook7a.png
The Wolf Queen, v1
0001B01A
Lockpicking Waughin Jarth Life of Queen Potema, Book One
SR-icon-book-BasicBook4.png
2920, Morning Star, v1
0001AFD9
One-handed Carlovac Townway Volume 1 of a historical series about Vivec and the Empire
SR-icon-book-BasicBook7a.png
Fire and Darkness
0001AFDA
One-handed Ynir Gorming The history of the Morag Tong assassin guild
SR-icon-book-BasicBook6a.png
Mace Etiquette
0001AFE6
One-handed A warrior's instruction pamphlet on proper mace tactics
SR-icon-book-BasicBook5.png
Night Falls on Sentinel
0001AFE4
One-handed Boali How a knight weeds out an enemy of the king
SR-icon-book-BasicBook3a.png
The Importance of Where
0001AFE3
One-handed Marobar Sul Book 3 of an incomplete series of fictional stories about the Dwemer
SR-icon-book-BasicBook3a.png
Aevar Stone-Singer
0001ACE6
Pickpocket Traditional Skaal myth about a young Skaal's journey to recover the Gifts of the All-Maker
SR-icon-book-BasicBook7.png
Beggar
0001AFD6
Pickpocket Reven The first chapter in the adventures of Eslaf Erol
SR-icon-book-BasicBook3.png
Guide to Better Thieving
0002F836
Pickpocket Wulfmare Shadow-Cloak A boastful thief discusses the tricks of the trade
SR-icon-book-BasicBook2.png
Purloined Shadows
0001B022
Pickpocket Waughin Jarth A chill tale recounting the theft of Nocturnal's cloak
SR-icon-book-BasicBook5a.png
Thief
0001AFBF
Pickpocket Reven The second chapter of the adventures of Eslaf Erol
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeRestoration.png
2920, Rain's Hand, v4
0001B017
Restoration Carlovac Townway Volume 4 of a historical series about Vivec and the Empire
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeRestoration.png
Mystery of Talara, v 2
0001B018
Restoration Mera Llykith Part two of the story of Princess Talara
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeRestoration.png
Racial Phylogeny
0001B015
Restoration the Council of Healers, Imperial University About the similarities and differences between the races of Tamriel
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeRestoration.png
The Exodus
0001B016
Restoration Waughin Jarth The tale of a parent's desperate bid to save their only child
SR-icon-book-SpellTomeRestoration.png
Withershins
0001B014
Restoration Yaqut Tawashi A humorous tale of a man's ailment and cure
SR-icon-book-BasicBook5a.png
Cherim's Heart
0001AFD1
Smithing Livillus Perus, Professor at the Imperial University Interview with Cherim, a master tapestry weaver
SR-icon-book-BasicBook7.png
Heavy Armor Forging
0001AFD2
Smithing Sven Two-Hammers A guide to creating Heavy Armor
SR-icon-book-BasicBook6.png
Last Scabbard of Akrash
0001AFCF
Smithing Tabar Vunqidh Story of a slaver's daughter and her Khajiit lover
SR-icon-book-BasicBook4.png
Light Armor Forging
0001AFD0
Smithing Revus Sarvani A book detailing various aspects of forging the various types of light armor
SR-icon-book-BasicBook5.png
The Armorer's Challenge
0001AFCE
Smithing Mymophonus A competition between two skilled armorsmiths
SR-icon-book-BasicBook7a.png
2920, Last Seed, v8
0001B01F
Sneak Carlovac Townway Volume 8 of a historical series about Vivec and the Empire
SR-icon-book-BasicBook3.png
Legend of Krately House
0001B021
Sneak Baloth-Kul A play about the ghostly Krately family and how they died
SR-icon-book-BasicBook6.png
Sacred Witness
0001B020
Sneak Enric Milnes Account of Enric's meeting with the Night Mother and career as an assassin
SR-icon-book-BasicBook6a.png
The Red Kitchen Reader
0001AFD5
Sneak Simocles Quo Autobiographical musings of how the Master of Cuisine came to adore viands
SR-icon-book-BasicBook2.png
Three Thieves
0001B276
Sneak Anonymous Some thieves in Morrowind plan a heist
SR-icon-book-BasicBook7.png
2920, Second Seed, v5
0001B025
Speech Carlovac Townway Volume 5 of a historical series about Vivec and the Empire
SR-icon-book-BasicBook5.png
A Dance in Fire, v6
0001B00D
Speech Waughin Jarth Chapter 6 of a clerk's adventures in Valenwood
SR-icon-book-BasicBook2.png
A Dance in Fire, v7
0001B00E
Speech Waughin Jarth Chapter 7 of a clerk's adventures in Valenwood
SR-icon-book-BasicBook5.png
Biography of the Wolf Queen
0001B023
Speech Katar Eriphanes A history of the unambiguously evil Queen Potema, the so-called Wolf Queen of Solitude
SR-icon-book-BasicBook5a.png
The Buying Game
0001B00A
Speech Adabael Timsar-Dadisun Tips on buying and selling
SR-icon-book-BasicBook2.png
Battle of Sancre Tor
0001AFDC
Two-handed The story of how General Talos defeated the stronghold of Sancre Tor
SR-icon-book-BasicBook3a.png
King
0001AFE5
Two-handed Reven The final chapter in the adventures of Eslaf Erol
SR-icon-book-BasicBook4.png
Song Of Hrormir
0001AFDB
Two-handed The epic narrative of Hrormir, one-time champion of Nocturnal
SR-icon-book-BasicBook6.png
The Legendary Sancre Tor
0001AFE2
Two-handed Matera Chapel An attempt to chronicle the rise and fall of Sancre Tor
SR-icon-book-BasicBook2.png
Words and Philosophy
0001AFD8
Two-handed An interview with a Bosmer master swordsman about her life

Achievements[edit]

The achievement related to skill books is:

  • SR-achievement-Reader.png Reader (20 points/Bronze) — Read 50 Skill Books
    • To unlock this achievement 50 different skill books must be read, out of the 90 available.
    • Books count towards this achievement even if they are read after the related skill has reached 100. In this case, no message appears on screen informing you that you have read a new skill book, but the game's counter is still increased.
    • You can track your progress towards the achievement using the "Skill Books Read" statistic on the General page of your journal's General Stats.

Notes[edit]

  • If you find an additional copy of a skill book that you have already read, you will not receive any skill bonus for reading the additional copy.
  • They give experience, not just +1 to level. Guardian stone effect and rest bonus still applies.
    • However, these bonus does not sum up for additional +1 level. In order to gain maximum experience, avoid reading when your skill is about to level up.
  • Making a skill legendary does not reset skill books, so after a skill has been made legendary, the character will not receive any experience for that skill from any of its skill books that have already been read.

Bugs[edit]

  • On rare occasions, reading a skill book will report the skill being leveled, but not actually increase the skill's level. Being close to leveling the skill may increase the likelihood of this happening.
    • Save your game and check the skill's value before reading any books. If it doesn't increase after reading, reload the save and increase the level of the skill before reading the book.