52 Books in 52 Weeks (2024) (52 Book Club) - hosted by britrcup

Bibliosmia: A smelly book
 
Bibliosmia can be defined as “the smell or aroma of a good book” or “the act of smelling books.”

All our prompts can be completed using any format of reading, and this prompt does not mean that you have to physically smell a book (unless you want to, of course!) This is one of those prompts that invites you to get super creative, and we look forward to seeing what you come up with.

To help you get started, here are a few ideas for how one might complete this prompt:

  • A book that has that “good book smell.”
  • A book you read but didn’t enjoy. (“This book stinks!”)
  • A book you enjoyed but that has bad reviews from others. (It stinks!)
  • A non-fiction read about the science and sensation of smell.
  • A bookish character within the book who mentions “book smell” or “bibliosmia.”
  • Smell is often associated with memory. You may pick a nostalgic read that reminds you of a specific time (or book) in your life.
  • A book with words like, “Smell,” “Scent,” or “Aroma” in the title.
  • Capture that “new book smell” by reading a newly released book (in any format!)
  • Capture that “old book smell” by reading a classic (in any format.)
  • A novel that heavily relies on scents / smells for descriptions within the narrative.
  • A character with hyperosmia (an extremely heightened sense of smell.)
  • A character who works with scents (perfumist, aromatherapist, sommelier, etc.)
  • A cover design featuring something smelly (either positive or negative association). For example: Garbage, candles, perfume, fish, flowers, garlic, feet, smoke, coffee, etc.
 
All books added
Dracula by Bram Stoker

Dracula

Bram Stoker

497 pages • first pub 1897 (editions)

fiction classics horror literary dark mysterious tense slow-paced
The Orphanage By The Lake by Daniel G. Miller

The Orphanage By The Lake

Daniel G. Miller

302 pages • first pub 2024 (editions) user-added

fiction mystery thriller
Calling on Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

Calling on Dragons

Enchanted Forest Chronicles #3

Patricia C. Wrede

244 pages • first pub 1993 (editions)

fiction fantasy middle grade adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
Cause of Death by Patricia Cornwell

Cause of Death

Kay Scarpetta #7

Patricia Cornwell

384 pages • first pub 1996 (editions)

fiction crime mystery thriller mysterious medium-paced
Lemon by Kwon Yeo-sun

Lemon

Kwon Yeo-sun

147 pages • first pub 2021 (editions)

fiction literary mystery dark emotional mysterious fast-paced
Puff Piece by John Safran

Puff Piece

John Safran

10 hours, 2 minutes • first pub 2021 (editions)

nonfiction dark funny reflective medium-paced
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart

Holly Ringland

388 pages • first pub 2018 (editions)

fiction contemporary emotional reflective medium-paced
The Faithless Hawk by Margaret Owen

The Faithless Hawk

The Merciful Crow #2

Margaret Owen

12 hours, 28 minutes • first pub 2020 (editions)

fiction fantasy lgbtqia+ young adult adventurous emotional fast-paced
The League of Picky Eaters by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic

The League of Picky Eaters

Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic

288 pages • first pub 2021 (editions)

fiction childrens food and drink lighthearted medium-paced
White Oleander by Janet Fitch

White Oleander

Janet Fitch

446 pages • first pub 1999 (editions)

fiction contemporary literary dark emotional sad medium-paced