If I add an item such as a spell book to my inventory, although I can see the new spells on the item, I cannot prepare them unless I add then to MY spell book first. I have the item tagged as in use. Should it add them or is this not a feature for spell books?
Right. Your PC has to spend the time to scribe this NEW spell book's contents into his OLD spell book, or perform some metagamy thing that amounts the same as scribing it into your spell book (see the rules governing cost per spell level scribed into the spell book). Just *finding* an abandoned spell book chock full of mystickal goodness does not get you access to the spells contained therein, your PC has to decode, reconfigure, and workout how those spells work and that takes time and according to the rules gold for special inks and parchment.
I think I see. Are you saying that your PC has a set of spell books (one for say traveling and one for home) and you seem to have different spell in each. The character builder has an area for spell book for a Wizard. This is like the spells known for another class like say Sorcerer. It really doesn't matter if the spells are in different books, crystal balls, or woven tapestries they are all your spell book.
If I add an item such as a spell book to my inventory, although I can see the new spells on the item, I cannot prepare them unless I add then to MY spell book first. I have the item tagged as in use. Should it add them or is this not a feature for spell books?
Right. Your PC has to spend the time to scribe this NEW spell book's contents into his OLD spell book, or perform some metagamy thing that amounts the same as scribing it into your spell book (see the rules governing cost per spell level scribed into the spell book). Just *finding* an abandoned spell book chock full of mystickal goodness does not get you access to the spells contained therein, your PC has to decode, reconfigure, and workout how those spells work and that takes time and according to the rules gold for special inks and parchment.
But what if the second spell book is my own? Is there an easy way for it to recognize it as my own spells, and of an item?
You are allowed to have multiple spells books (back-up), but there doesnt seem to be a way to have both books recognized within the character sheets.
I think I see. Are you saying that your PC has a set of spell books (one for say traveling and one for home) and you seem to have different spell in each. The character builder has an area for spell book for a Wizard. This is like the spells known for another class like say Sorcerer. It really doesn't matter if the spells are in different books, crystal balls, or woven tapestries they are all your spell book.
Correct. There doesnt appear to be an easy 'add to MY spell book' when dealing with multiple books.