BLACK BOOKS INTRODUCTIONThere are 7 Black Books located across Solstheim, with 2 of them being acquired during the Main Questline.
You can choose any 5 books to pursue, and can find them at any time or in any order (with the exception of the 2 in the main questline).
Opening a Black Book transports the reader into a region in the realm of Apocrypha. Once the region has been traversed, a book awaits on a pedestal. Reading the book grants a unique power or ability,
it is only after reading the book on the Pedestal you will get credit towards the achievement. MAIN QUESTSBlack Book: Waking DreamsFound in the Temple of Miraak during the main questline.
Note: While you acquire the book early in the Temple of Miraak, you will only learn it's secrets at the end of the main quest
"At the Summit of Apocrypha".
Black Book: Epistolary AcumenThis Black Book is found at the end of the quest
"The Path of Knowledge". This quest leads directly to the next quest
"The Gardener of Men" where you must learn the secrets of this book.
FINDING ADDITIONAL BLACK BOOKSAfter completing the main quest
"The Gardener of Men", it is possible to ask
Neloth for help discovering the remaining books, speaking to him (he lives in Tel Mithryn) will start the quest
"Lost Knowledge", this quest is repeatable and will guide you to finding a random undiscovered book.
Alternatively, you can go directly to the Black Book without the help of Neloth and learn the secrets of all the remaining Black Books yourself. For the achievement you only need 5, so after completing the main quest you will only need to find
3 more.BLACK BOOK LOCATIONSBlack Book: Untold LegendsAfter the word wall in
Benkongerike. The passageway is at the top of a ramp formed by a fallen pillar to the left if facing the word wall.
Black Book: The Winds of ChangeBloodskal Barrow, accessed through
Raven Rock Mine, after defeating Zahkriisos the Dragon Priest during the quest
"The Final Descent".
This quest can be started by talking to
Crescius Caerellius who will be encountered shortly after entering the Mine. The entrance to the mine can be found by heading North from the dock in Raven Rock.
Black Book: The Sallow RegentIn
White Ridge Barrow. Reach the end of the dungeon and defeat Dukaan the Dragon Priest. This Book will be here along with a Word Wall for the new “Cyclone” Shout.
Black Book: The Hidden TwilightFound in the locked room in
Neloth’s house, which is located in
Tel Mithryn.
After completing
“The Path of Knowledge”, speak to Neloth and complete one side quest for him. After completing that, speak to him again to begin the quest
"Reluctant Steward". Once you complete this quest you can unlock the door to his
Staff Enchanter, in this room is the Black Book.(When he asks you to find a new steward speak to Drovas Relvi at The Retching Netch in Raven Rock.)
Black Book: Filament and FiligreeThe book can be found in
Kolbjorn Barrow while completing the
"Unearthed" quest (which is started after entering the Barrow). After defeating Ahzidal and confronting Ralis Sedarys, a passage to the southwest opens. Through that passage, the book is on a pedestal in the next chamber.
Note: This sidequest is quite long, so I don't recommend acquiring this book solely for the achievement.
You can use elderscrolls.wikia.com to find the locations of any places I have mentioned (it wouldn't let me embed their maps in the actual solution unfortunately)RECOMMENDED BOOKSIf you would like to be efficient with this achievement I recommend collecting the following books:
Black Book: Waking Dreams - Found during the Main Quest
Black Book: Epistolary Acumen - Found during the Main Quest
Black Book: Untold Legends - Found in Benkongerike
Black Book: The Hidden Twilight - Completing a couple easy tasks for Neloth. You also gain access to a Staff Enchanter.
Black Book: The Winds of Change - Found during the quest "The Final Descent", this quest is required to unlock 2 other achievements.