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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
A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

A Novel Love Story

Ashley Poston

604 pages • digital • 2024 user-added

fiction contemporary fantasy magical realism romance emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
Gild (The Plated Prisoner Series Book 1) by Raven Kennedy

Gild (The Plated Prisoner Series Book 1)

The Plated Prisoner #1

Raven Kennedy

385 pages • digital • 2020 user-added

fiction fantasy romance adventurous dark tense medium-paced
All-American Girl by Meg Cabot

All-American Girl

All-American Girl #1

Meg Cabot

398 pages • paperback • 2002

fiction contemporary romance young adult funny lighthearted fast-paced
Food Fight Fiesta: A Tale about La Tomatina by Tracey Kyle

Food Fight Fiesta: A Tale about La Tomatina

Tracey Kyle

32 pages • hardcover

fiction childrens food and drink lighthearted medium-paced
The Temporary Wife by Catharina Maura

The Temporary Wife

The Windsors #2

Catharina Maura

407 pages • digital • 2023

fiction contemporary romance adventurous emotional tense medium-paced
All My Mothers by Joanna Glen

All My Mothers

Joanna Glen

471 pages • paperback • 2021

fiction contemporary literary emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Lustrum by Robert Harris

Lustrum

Cicero #2

Robert Harris

454 pages • paperback • 2009

fiction historical thriller challenging informative tense slow-paced
Lisa, Bright and Dark by John Neufeld

Lisa, Bright and Dark

John Neufeld

144 pages • paperback • 1968

fiction young adult dark emotional medium-paced
The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page

The Secrets of Flowers

Sally Page

432 pages • digital • 2024

fiction contemporary emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
Still Water by Rebecca Pert

Still Water

Rebecca Pert

272 pages • hardcover • 2021

fiction literary dark emotional reflective slow-paced