I've come across this kind of comment elsewhere, and the recommendation was that "the book" is Designing Games by Tynan Sylvester (the author of Rimworld)
https://tynansylvester.com/book/
Haven't read it yet myself.
https://tynansylvester.com/book/
Haven't read it yet myself.
This is oversimplifying, most designers fall into a bucket of mixed styles; but the point is, no "book" will be perfect for all. Same as with software engineering, graphic design, etc.