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
Bad Girls by Wilson. Jacqueline ( 2006 ) Paperback by Jacqueline Wilson

Bad Girls by Wilson. Jacqueline ( 2006 ) Paperback

Jacqueline Wilson

179 pages • first pub 1996 (editions)

fiction contemporary middle grade emotional lighthearted fast-paced
Mother, Help Me Live by Lurlene McDaniel

Mother, Help Me Live

One Last Wish #3

Lurlene McDaniel

176 pages • first pub 1992 (editions)

fiction romance young adult emotional fast-paced
Blood Orchids by Toby Neal

Blood Orchids

Lei Crime #1

Toby Neal

312 pages • first pub 2011 (editions)

fiction crime mystery thriller dark mysterious tense fast-paced
Sweat and Soap, Vol. 1 by Kintetsu Yamada

Sweat and Soap, Vol. 1

Sweat and Soap #1

Kintetsu Yamada

208 pages • first pub 2018 (editions)

fiction contemporary manga romance funny lighthearted fast-paced
In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom by Yeonmi Park, Maryanne Vollers

In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom

Yeonmi Park, Maryanne Vollers

288 pages • first pub 2015 (editions)

nonfiction memoir emotional inspiring sad medium-paced
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

The Priory of the Orange Tree

The Roots of Chaos #1

Samantha Shannon

830 pages • first pub 2019 (editions)

fiction fantasy lgbtqia+ adventurous emotional medium-paced
The Burning Land by Bernard Cornwell

The Burning Land

The Last Kingdom #5

Bernard Cornwell

345 pages • first pub 2009 (editions)

fiction historical adventurous mysterious fast-paced
A Cold War by Alan Russell

A Cold War

Alan Russell

368 pages • first pub 2015 (editions)

fiction mystery thriller dark mysterious tense fast-paced
The Little Friend by Donna Tartt

The Little Friend

Donna Tartt

555 pages • first pub 2002 (editions)

fiction contemporary literary thriller dark mysterious tense slow-paced
No Excuses!: The Power of Self-Discipline by Brian Tracy

No Excuses!: The Power of Self-Discipline

Brian Tracy

304 pages • first pub 2010 (editions)

nonfiction business self help informative fast-paced