There are apps like Forward Chess and E-Chess that sell books that have interactive boards embedded, so you can play through the games while you're reading.
Also, Everyman Chess sells many of their books in both Chessbase and PGN formats, so you can play through using Chessbase (there is a free version) or any program that supports PGN.
I've glanced at chess books here and there over the years, none recently, but was always daunted by the chess notation.
I guess unless you're a very visual person with a good memory it implies that a chess book is useless unless you have a board and can try out the positions as described by the notational sequences.
Still with computers, ipads, etc... isn't that form passe? Are there trainings as good as the better books that make use of newer media to educate in the same way but without having to break out a board and physically translate the moves?