Hi there! I'm not sure if this is a problem for other people, but I got the master subscription (currently on the free version, to-be-billed in december). Unless I'm reading it wrong, it says I get access to the core rulebooks. If not the original 5e books, at the very least the 2024 books. 

However, when I go to access them, I have to navigate the maze of dropdown menus, and when I get to it, it's acting like I have to purchase it. Additionally, it'll act like I'm not signed in on the top bar when I go to check my subscription. 

Are the books not included in the master subscription? If not, then what's the point in subscribing? If anyone knows what the deal is I'd be very thankful!

You're reading it wrong.

You don't get to access the books free, beyond what was released free for everyone. What you get is early access if you pre-order : this means your purchase will be available sooner than the normal release date. You still need to purchase the books.

From the Subscription page (emphasis added by me):

Be the first to crack open new rulebooks, adventures, and campaign settings when you pre-order the Digital edition of any book

Quote from Knight_Maxwell>>

what's the point in subscribing?

Without the subs you can only have 6 characters and 8 saved encounters.

With hero subs you get unlimited characters and unlimited saved encounters. You can also add publicly shared homebrew and you get monthly cosmetic freebies.

With master subs you get everything hero subs offer plus can use the Maps tool and can enable content sharing in 5 campaigns : content sharing allows for sharing of any purchased content between all members of the campaign. 

For more detail read the Subscriptions page I linked to. It specifically details what you get and there's a FAQ on the bottom.