Very interesting. I personally have Framed which is absolutely fantastic.
I open it wanting to learn but most of the time find myself, swiping through pages, in admiration of the art style and composition. I hope my brain picks up a few things along the way.
I think there is something to "absorbing" the knowledge. I'm not nearly as dedicated to doing studies and physically practicing as I'd like to be, but I still see improvements when I just spend plenty of time passively studying the work of others.