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
The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley

The Guncle Abroad

The Guncle #2

Steven Rowley

336 pages • first pub 2024 (editions)

fiction contemporary lgbtqia+ emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
La pesca del salmón en Yemen by Paul Torday

La pesca del salmón en Yemen

Paul Torday

337 pages • first pub 2007 (editions)

fiction contemporary politics funny lighthearted medium-paced
Berlin Diary: The Journal of a Foreign Correspondent, 1934-1941 by William L. Shirer

Berlin Diary: The Journal of a Foreign Correspondent, 1934-1941

Berlin Diary #1

William L. Shirer

16 hours • first pub 1941 (editions)

nonfiction history informative slow-paced
Winterset Hollow by Jonathan Edward Durham

Winterset Hollow

Jonathan Edward Durham

286 pages • first pub 2021 (editions)

fiction horror adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

The Twilight Saga #3.5

Stephenie Meyer

178 pages • first pub 2009 (editions)

fiction fantasy young adult adventurous dark fast-paced
The Untitled Books by C.J. Archer

The Untitled Books

The Glass Library #3

C.J. Archer

7 hours, 59 minutes • first pub 2023 (editions)

fiction fantasy mystery adventurous mysterious medium-paced
The Uninvited by J.A. Baker

The Uninvited

J.A. Baker

274 pages • missing pub info (editions)

fiction thriller dark fast-paced
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Of Poseidon

The Syrena Legacy #1

Anna Banks

324 pages • first pub 2012 (editions)

fiction fantasy romance young adult adventurous lighthearted medium-paced
A Good Kill by John McMahon

A Good Kill

A P.T. Marsh Novel

John McMahon

352 pages • missing pub info (editions)

fiction crime mystery thriller mysterious medium-paced
How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry

How to Find Love in a Bookshop

Veronica Henry

352 pages • first pub 2016 (editions)

fiction contemporary romance emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced