Did Sai Baba discourage the reading of books, preferring that devotees only listen to his stories in the Masjid?

On the contrary, Sai Baba held the reading of specific holy books in very high regard and actively encouraged it. Chapter 18 explains that Baba assigned devotees like Sakharam Hari Jog the daily task of reading scriptures such as the Jnaneshwari and Nath Bhagawat, which he considered divinely inspired books for the salvation of souls. He would even send devotees who came to the Masjid to go to Sathe's Wada to listen to these readings. In one instance, when the narrator paused his reading of the Bhagavat to hear Baba's stories, Baba insisted that he return and finish the reading, showing there was 'no satisfaction other than the Bhagavat.' This demonstrates the immense value he placed on these sacred texts.