Balance wouldn’t be too hampered with either. But it adds a sense of reason with Jen’s idea.
If in real life I had to search through all the pages for a single recipe I could just jot down in a categorical list. I think the first read through would provide to me the skill and I would have the option of writing down the recipes as I go.
In game terms we see a list. But in reality, the recipes are no literal such as a cook book. So having to read the book makes sense for the skill gain. But also make the level you complete garner only THAT level of recipes. Add a level? Get the recipes from the book for THAT level.
Hmm…I wonder if that latter idea should be added to the base game anyway…As in…you would have to read an entire level in order to get those recipes. Because those recipes in a technical manual for example are as I mentioned not a literal recipe. You would have to read a chapter in order to extrapolate a recipe from it. Interesting running thought…