On the contrary, I believe a VN is just a strictly better version of a book that has the ability to much better set a mood via use of music that a book can never compete with. You can do everything you can with a book with a VN and more. Games are unique in that they actually directly put the player in the author spot of their own piece of art. I'm tempted to move Movies/TV down to the tier of Music/ Still Art, but motion graphics, music, sound effects can all provide an experience, setting, and feel that no other medium can (without being interactive).
What you have pointed out as your strong points for books can also be implemented in other mediums just as well, it's just not mandatory, and thus isn't done as frequently.