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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
Schijndood by Simone van der Vlugt

Schijndood

Simone van der Vlugt

6 hours, 12 minutes • audio • 2002 user-added

fiction historical young adult reflective medium-paced
Clockwork Boys by T. Kingfisher

Clockwork Boys

Clocktaur War #1

T. Kingfisher

228 pages • digital • 2017

fiction fantasy adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries

Emily Wilde #1

Heather Fawcett

317 pages • hardcover • 2023

fiction fantasy historical adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

The Knight and the Moth

The Stonewater Kingdom #1

Rachel Gillig

389 pages • hardcover • 2025

fiction fantasy romance adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
The Swamp Dwellers by Wole Soyinka
The Swamp Dwellers
—
Wole Soyinka

The Swamp Dwellers

Wole Soyinka

280 pages

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Sunrise on the Reaping

The Hunger Games #0.5

Suzanne Collins

382 pages • hardcover • 2025

fiction dystopian young adult dark emotional sad fast-paced
Murder Mile by Lynda La Plante

Murder Mile

Jane Tennison #4

Lynda La Plante

384 pages • paperback • 2018

fiction crime mystery dark informative mysterious fast-paced
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

One Dark Window

The Shepherd King #1

Rachel Gillig

12 hours, 44 minutes • audio • 2022

fiction fantasy romance adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
The Colour of Bee Larkham's Murder by Sarah J. Harris

The Colour of Bee Larkham's Murder

Sarah J. Harris

464 pages • digital • 2018

fiction contemporary crime mystery emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz

How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water

Angie Cruz

6 hours, 17 minutes • audio • 2022

fiction contemporary literary emotional funny reflective medium-paced