The 52 Book Club's 2024 Reading Challenge - hosted by the52bookclub

Bibliosmia: A smelly book
Bibliosmia may or may not officially appear in your dictionary yet, but those with a penchant for bookish words will love this one! 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.
  • For a freebie: Light “a book scented candle” while you read a book of your choice.
 
All books added
Dirty Laundry: Why Adults with ADHD Are So Ashamed and What We Can Do to Help by Richard Pink, Roxanne Emery

Dirty Laundry: Why Adults with ADHD Are So Ashamed and What We Can Do to Help

Richard Pink, Roxanne Emery

140 pages • first pub 2023 (editions)

nonfiction psychology self help hopeful informative reflective fast-paced
The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding

The Drowning Woman

Robyn Harding

325 pages • first pub 2023 (editions)

fiction thriller dark emotional reflective medium-paced
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Just for the Summer

Part of Your World #3

Abby Jimenez

432 pages • first pub 2024 (editions)

fiction contemporary romance emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz

Prisoner B-3087

Alan Gratz

260 pages • first pub 2013 (editions)

fiction historical young adult emotional hopeful sad fast-paced
Comfort Eating: What We Eat When Nobody's Looking by Grace Dent

Comfort Eating: What We Eat When Nobody's Looking

Grace Dent

256 pages • first pub 2023 (editions)

nonfiction food and drink memoir
This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

This Is Where It Ends

Marieke Nijkamp

288 pages • first pub 2016 (editions)

fiction contemporary lgbtqia+ thriller young adult challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced
The Walled Garden by Robin Farrar Maass

The Walled Garden

Robin Farrar Maass

344 pages • first pub 2022 (editions)

fiction historical mystery mysterious medium-paced
Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa

Rhapsodic

The Bargainer #1

Laura Thalassa

372 pages • first pub 2016 (editions)

fiction fantasy romance adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

The True Love Experiment

Christina Lauren

416 pages • first pub 2023 (editions)

fiction contemporary romance funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange

The Connellys of County Down

Tracey Lange

288 pages • first pub 2023 (editions)

fiction contemporary emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced