Unable to check "Automatically download new purchases" in Books, and unable to sync audiobooks

I am unable to check the box next to "Automatically download new purchases" in Books app. When I check it, it unchecks itself after a couple of seconds. I have found a discussion about this issue, but the steps there to solve it include setting some preferences in iTunes, which doesn't help, because I am on Mac OS Monterey, and there is no iTunes.

I also don't understand why my Audiobooks do not sync across devices, however I am not sure this is related. I have found a reply, that iCloud doesn't sync Audiobooks, but then why there is an article about it?: See your books and audiobooks on all your devices with Books on Mac - Apple Support