I usually just use the hintbook the first time, and then play through the game without it the following times, except when getting through that room with pillars in order to get the Black Halberd. I use the hintbook then to know where to step (and where not to step).
I find that if I use the hintbook for part of a quest, it's difficult to stop using it, because I want to keep doing it perfectly. Therefore, I most often either use the hintbook for a whole quest, or I don't use it at all (or barely at all).