This is akin to the (not-book related) idea that telling people your goal decreases your chances of reaching it because it causes a big dopamine hit.

"I'm gonna lose weight in 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023." Tell everybody, feel good about it, don't follow through on it.

Reading a book that gives an easy boost of serotonin or dopamine could have a similar effect through affirmation.