It took ~3 weeks with 5 alts funneling mats. Average enhancing luck, way above average luck when it came to boss rush drops. Decided to go 16/16/16 (gloves, helmet, shoulders) 12/12/12 rest because I thought it would be the cheapest route but apparently 17/17 (gloves/shoulders) 12/12/12/12 is the cheapest. Towards the end guardian stones started to become a choke and I would burn through the ~3k my alts generate a day like they were nothing.

As for wasting books, you shouldn't feel pressured to use them if it's not feasible to push the character. You can still use them to get an alt from 1325 to 1340 more comfortably because even that is somewhat resource heavy.