I have had no luck finding an answer to this question, I am sure it is out there somewhere.
Is it bad to read skill books on skill you do not care to increase? (mage increasing Block by 1 for example)
Does increasing a skill by reading a book cause your character level to increase?

Thank you

It contributes to level increases. But I've had no problem with the level scaling in this game. If you're absolutely struggling with the game, you might want to rethink more than your reading habits.

I'd read them anyway. An occasional faster level has never hurt me.