To what extent is it true that the Salaf used to rejoice at the arrival of Ramadan and occupy themselves solely with reciting the Qur'an, and how can this statement be reconciled with Al-Nawawi and Al-Suyuti completing books in Ramadan?

Ramadan is a great and blessed month, and Muslims rejoice at its arrival. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to give his Companions glad tidings of it, and they would ask Allah to accept it from them. It has been narrated from the righteous predecessors that they focused on reciting the Quran during Ramadan. Some would complete the recitation of the Quran every two or three nights, and some would abandon Hadith and knowledge to devote themselves entirely to the Quran. This does not preclude combining Quran recitation with other righteous deeds.