It says in the skill books it gives 350 XP for each read. It either doesn't seem like it gives 350 XP or there is ALOT of XP you have to gain to level up anything.
Is anyone else's skill books not giving them skill levels? i.e. spikedclubfordummies doesn't raise Spiked Club crafting skill. I wouldn't see a point for those books if they didn't do anything.