Are you a book sniffer?

[mellysw]

So many book sniffers! This used to be my deepest, darkest secret. I thought I was truly wierd because of it. I forget how I found out other people sniff books, I think I saw it online somewhere.

I was so excited when I discovered other "sniffers" though! I wasn't WIERD anymore. Ok, maybe I was wierd, but not wierd THAT way.

[mui-scrimp]

My friend smells her books all the time, and at first I thought it was a little weird. To me, it just hindered the reading speed... But then I tried it for myself. I now understand her habit, it's kind of addicting! Like other people I saw, I love the old book smell!!! However, for new books, I like "break them in" first. I can't say it goes as far as judging a book by its smell, but it's definitely a bonus if I pick up a book and it smells like ink, and a little musty... Hmmm.

[mellysw]

Yes, older books definitely have their own smell. It is like a personality. I don't know how to describe it to those who aren't book sniffers. New books still smell differently, but their smells have a lot more in common with their new brothers and sisters. It is only as they age they began to establish their own scent.

Someone else mentioned that their library books smell like cigarettes. This is an unfortunate effect of strong environmental aromas. If you have a book for a long time (sometimes even a short time) in an area with a heavy scent or odor of some kind, the smell leaches into the book itself. But overtime that scent will fade, and the true smell of the book will re-assert itself.

I swear, the smell of books is like a science!

[rssllue]

So many book sniffers! This used to be my deepest, darkest secret. I thought I was truly wierd because of it. I forget how I found out other people sniff books, I think I saw it online somewhere.

I was so excited when I discovered other "sniffers" though! I wasn't WIERD anymore. Ok, maybe I was wierd, but not wierd THAT way.

We've just been messing with you. None of us actually sniff books too. We just wanted you to feel better. Okay, it is too late! I admit it. It's all true! We sniff books!!

[cyndiha11]

This just made me lol, for real, but I know it's a real thing. Old books have a great smell, but I had no idea that you could tell individual books apart or judge their quality from it.
Can you smell other things as well? Fear? Time?

Haha! I love the smell of books, I usually give them a good sniff, I didn't actually know you could tell how good they are by how they smell, I'm definitely going to my bookshelf right now I have to test that. So I'm going to get my sniff on! That was terrible I know but I had to

I have honestly never thought about sniffing a book to 'smell' how good it might be to read. This made me laugh as well, but now I also have to try it out!

So what is the best way to sniff a book? Just open the cover and go for it?

[rssllue]

Open to a few pages in, stick your nose near the inside spine, and just take a big inhale! You can then move onto sniffing the pages as you quickly leaf through them.

[Fleurdelis674]

I love that scent of new books. It's like the smell of a new adventure. However, there is something about the scent of old books. I mean, some old books smell good and just nice but then there is the disgusting old book (usually from the 1970s) that has this weird, funky scent that kind of turns me away. It's hard to explain, sort of a musty, olive-ish scent that cannot be described truly.

[Neyra]

No, the idea never occured to me!!

[TammyO]

No, I dont purposely go around sniffing books. However, I have noticed the smell of new books versus old ones.

[Greeneyedphotogirl79]

I literally LOLed on this one. Guilty haha! I love the smell of new books and old books!

[sophie_mcmaster]

I love the smell of books! especially the older ones its one of the reasons i think i prefer a library to a bookstore.

[cyndiha11]

Open to a few pages in, stick your nose near the inside spine, and just take a big inhale! You can then move onto sniffing the pages as you quickly leaf through them.

Ok, I just happened to open a small textbook this morning at work, and decided while it was open to... sniff it. Yes, I did it. And I was instantly transported back to my high school where I spent days poring over textbooks. I felt a mixture of intense anxiety and the need to pick up a pencil and start taking notes.

I will probably never sniff again.

[briannaherondale]

Yes! I don't know what it is about the smell of new books, it's just so wonderful I JUST CAN'T.

[rssllue]

Open to a few pages in, stick your nose near the inside spine, and just take a big inhale! You can then move onto sniffing the pages as you quickly leaf through them.

Ok, I just happened to open a small textbook this morning at work, and decided while it was open to... sniff it. Yes, I did it. And I was instantly transported back to my high school where I spent days poring over textbooks. I felt a mixture of intense anxiety and the need to pick up a pencil and start taking notes.

I will probably never sniff again.

Very nice!

[FiremansWife]

I can't say I'm a book sniffer...but I do love the smell of books. It makes the read more enjoyable.