I had the same experience. When I was learning 20+ years ago, I absorbed books. I would go cover to cover and get a vision of what was possible plus whatever details I retained. Then I could go back to the book for reference as needed when I went to do things.

The amount of information available now is overwhelming and, increasingly, not collected into paper books. As much has I love my e-reader for fiction, I don't absorb technical content on it as well.

However, I don't have a problem picking up new things now without a physical book. There are basic concepts of programming that don't have to be relearned for new languages and frameworks. I don't have to learn about loops again. I just need a quick example of the syntax in a new language.

Perhaps immersive experiences are best early on as you say.