Here’s how you get motif books.

Make a round that takes 8-10 minutes in Daggerfall (or your primary capital city where you get dumped to after Prison).

1. Bank:loot chests, desks, cupboards, bookshelves, etc. Boxes, bags, crates, and sacks have never produced a book for me.
2. Fighters Guild:loot chests, desks, cupboards, bookshelves, etc.Boxes, bags, crates, and sacks have never produced a book for me.
3. Mages Guild:loot chests, desks, cupboards, bookshelves, etc.Boxes, bags, crates, and sacks have never produced a book for me.
4. “Castle” (DC has one; maybe you have a church or something as your focal point): loot chests, desks, and bookshelves.Boxes, bags, crates, and sacks have never produced a book for me.
5. Go to the Tavern/Inn: loot chests, desks, cupboards, bookshelves, etc.Boxes, bags, crates, and sacks have never produced a book for me.
6. If you have time, and or the interest, you can make a larger circle that includes additional houses with desks, chests, cupboards, bookshelves, urns, etc.

Log off. Go to an alt. Repeat.

I have never gotten zero motif books and usually get two. I got 10 this morning in two runs, totalling about 17 minutes. I have only ever gotten the primary race motifs. From what I’ve heard, you can only get Daedra and such in VR content.

Also, I have gotten 2 motif books out of Urns in public dungeons and quests like for your Mages or Fighters Guild storylines. Urns are definitely worth checking out.

Hope that helps!