Book learning?

Do books really teach their readers anything? A manual or set of directions is one thing. A how to book is effective. But, something seems off about a lot of book learning. A reader sits down to read a story or even a non fiction history book, but in actuality he could be spending his time at vocational school or at the gym. The print, the words that we read just seem to end up being abstractions. I may vaguely know where Belgium is on a map, but I know nothing about Belgium in reality. I may read about palm trees, but, I know nothing about them unless I've seen them. It seems that if you spend too much time reading books -- the sensual, worldly aspects of life become disconnected from you. I'm not knocking books...but, it is as if readers are trying to from these abstract knowledges until 2 hours spent reading Great Gatsby. You may think you've learned something about New York -- but, all you've really added to your brain are these abstract words, prints.