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
No Whisk No Reward by Ellie Kay

No Whisk No Reward

Donner Bakery #1

Ellie Kay

309 pages • first pub 2019 (editions)

fiction contemporary romance lighthearted slow-paced
Glint by Raven Kennedy

Glint

The Plated Prisoner #2

Raven Kennedy

479 pages • first pub 2021 (editions)

fiction fantasy romance adventurous emotional fast-paced
The Elephant Vanishes by Haruki Murakami

The Elephant Vanishes

Haruki Murakami

327 pages • first pub 1993 (editions)

fiction literary magical realism short stories mysterious reflective medium-paced
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

Rats of NIMH #1

Robert C. O'Brien

240 pages • first pub 1971 (editions)

fiction childrens classics fantasy lighthearted medium-paced
Argylle by Elly Conway

Argylle

Elly Conway

13 hours, 33 minutes • first pub 2024 (editions)

fiction mystery thriller mysterious tense fast-paced
The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty

The Rabbit Hutch

Tess Gunty

352 pages • first pub 2022 (editions)

fiction contemporary literary dark emotional medium-paced
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

Practical Magic

Practical Magic #3

Alice Hoffman

9 hours, 12 minutes • first pub 1995 (editions)

fiction contemporary fantasy literary emotional mysterious medium-paced
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

The Count of Monte Cristo

Alexandre Dumas

46 hours, 56 minutes • first pub 1844 (editions)

fiction classics historical literary adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced
Jagten by Elle Kennedy

Jagten

Briar U #1

Elle Kennedy

361 pages • first pub 2018 (editions)

fiction contemporary romance sports lighthearted medium-paced
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Gabrielle Zevin

13 hours, 52 minutes • first pub 2022 (editions)

fiction contemporary literary emotional reflective sad medium-paced