To be candid...it's not the first time I haven't been able to "make a distinction " on an internet post
...sometimes I miss the intent of the poster...which seems to be the case here....and yes it would have been easier if you used the Beatles for your comparison but the moment you mentioned Pineapple Thief...you muddled the waters for me....because they aren't comparable...
For the record...I have never been a fan of these books being included in these sets...BUT they are treasures for the rabid follower of these bands...but I still mantain that the price(around the $250 mark)isn't outrageous for ALL the music you are getting and the fact that Steven Wilson is involved is HUGE....I know that in some of these past deluxe sets people have sold parts of the set on Ebay....like the books and the CD's and recouped a lot of their initial costs...and you can purchase this set in installments....interest free at many outlets....
If you are creative....there are ways to minimize your costs for this set...and the reality is that these sets won't be around much longer...at least the one's that feature a high profile band...contains a surround mix and ATMOS on a physical disc...AND with Steven Wilson's involvement...