Succulent books and reference materials are useful because they help growers understand where plants come from, how they grow, and why dormancy matters. They can explain patterns that are hard to learn from one plant alone.
At the same time, reference material is not a substitute for local observation. A book written for another climate may not match Taiwan humidity, summer heat, or a specific balcony environment.
The best approach is to read widely, compare sources, and then test ideas carefully with your own plants.