I just acquired Skyrim and it's sad to see that there are still some issues BGS hasn't fixed themselves.

I installed SkyUI which helped quite a bit, but I need some more. I still can't take/ pick up readable books after remapping my controls/ keys. Is there anything (even mods) that fix that?

I don't know your key bindings but...

...if you have rebound the 'use' function to a mouse button, rebind it to any keyboard button and use that button instead of the 'E' button to take the book you are currently reading.

Try that too: http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/88/?

Is the 'use' button the same thing as the 'activate' button? I have 'activate' assigned to the 'A' key. While I'm reading a book, pressing the 'A' only turns the page forward back. I tried pressing all the buttons, with my current configuration, while reading a book and nothing takes the book. If I switch that 'activate' button back to the 'E' key then it takes the book, but not with 'A' for some reason, even though 'A' is assigned as 'activate'.

Edit: Correction the 'A' turns a page back.

What keys do you have movement remapped to?

I wouldn't be at all surprised if "E" didn't take the book......

E = forward

S = strafe left

D = back up

F = strafe right
A = activate
Q = character menu
W = ready/ sheath weapon
R = rest
T = journal/ quests
G = shouts
C = crouch/ sneak
V = favourites
TAB = change view (1st/ 3rd person)
LEFT MOUSE = right hand
RIGHT MOUSE = left hand
MIDDLE MOUSE = sprint
LSHIFT = run

Edit: still in principle I understand that 'A' should take the book with that configuration, but it doesn't, unless I'm missing something.