Came back to technic with 42009 after a break since 8880 and the control centre II, and was one of the first things I noticed as a difference from the old style (and not for the better in my opinion). The old sets would fit both A and B models into one big book, and the number of steps required was much less (and of course that means usually more parts/more challenge per step).
42009's instructions could easily be fitted into half the number of pages without increasing the difficulty level - the number of steps which require only a single piece (or occasionally even a full page spread with no pieces added at all) seems a little ridiculous! :)