interesting idea about the book, but i would look at it in a different light.
the book really just contains knowledge. We can even call it meaning. Well, the same effect would have been had if the writer of the book had came and told us what he/she was thinking instead of writing it down right?
now if you look at at a brand new laptop, THAT would be more of what i would view as a material possession. Or an iPod or something like that. anyhow, i really don't think that material possessions such as these make our lives better. i think because from the beginning we're told that material possessions are a way to judge our success in life, and always believe that we're better than others by having more than them.
Then on one shroom trip i got to thinking.. how would i judge my happiness, my spirituality, my life as a whole on my deathbed? i know for certain i wouldn't care if i had 3 luxury cars or none at all. but then what would make me happy? i decided upon having 1 or 2 people in my life (not sexual/romantic partners, simply friends) that i got to know half as well as i know myself.