Once you’re accustomed to "how-to" or hands-on books, it can be challenging to appreciate more abstract literature. Developers often dismiss these materials as "fluff," but authors typically clarify their target audience and set clear expectations for their readers.

Take, for example, a book about "no-code" development. As a developer, you might expect tutorials featuring the most popular tools. However, the authors of such books sometimes choose a different approach. They aim to keep their content current, noting that many online resources already provide tutorials. If you purchased their book to learn how to use no-code tools for automation, you might be disappointed.

However, you can still gain valuable insights from these readings, even if they don’t offer the practical advice you were seeking. Introductory books, despite lacking explicit tutorials, help you map the new territory of knowledge you wish to explore. They often provide methods and frameworks that can help you persuade your manager or structure your own experiments more effectively.

Follow the clues provided by the authors, such as recommended books, YouTube channels, and other resources. Even second-hand knowledge can lead to more intriguing discoveries. If you uncover one of these gems, you’ll soon forget the initial disappointment of reading something that didn’t directly meet your needs.