The smell of new books

[Debbie74]

I am an admitted book sniffer. I do not like the smell of old books, only new ones. I sniff every book I buy. Some do not tempt my senses, but ones with dark ink or colored pages always smell so good to me. Not sure what it is, but I love it! But then again, I also love the smell of tires and new shoes!

[Apogea]

I cannot stand the chemical smell of new books, I am more of an old book smell kinda guy!

[RobertManchester]

What is it with people saying they love the smell of new books? I have never purchased an unused book that didn't faintly smell of chemicals. Old books though, they have a proper smell, a wonderful smell. It varies as the life the book has led varies but it always smells like the passage of time, it smells like an adventure. The book's smell tells another story than the one the book itself has written. All in all, I find it hard to understand what y' all are talking about when you talk about 'new books smell' :p

Not sure about books but I do like the smell of new football programmes

[Shinyfox]

Most of my books are old and used. I've been using the term 'new' improperly, without explaining. I love the smell of a new book - new to me that is. It doesn't have to be brand-spanking new! Most of my 'new' books are thrift store, yard sale & library sale books!

[Kzin]

I heard that puppeteers smell like new books. Spicy-chemical.

[NanahoChan]

That old book smell is the smell of all the souls the book has absorbed huerhuerhuerhuer

[RebekaV]

I love both smells. The new book smell just reminds me that this book is mine, no one has ever owned and used it before and the pages are fresh and white. On the other hand the old books have a history and are already well-worn. They have a different feel to them, but I love both.

[cyndiha11]

It's like the smell of cabbage. Do you like the smell of cabbage cooking in the kitchen? I don't. But I LOVE the smell of cabbage in the form of cabbage rolls because I just love cabbage rolls.

So I love the smell of new books because of the hope for a great read.

[Elena Nechita]

I think I equally like the smell of new books as well as the old ones. I guess I just like the smell of book in general.

[SmartReviewer77]

I rarely smell books but when I do I don't make a big deal out of it. After all it's just processed trees. A scent that only lingers when you focus on it.

[Blessing O 2]

I admit I love the smell of new books, it brings a smile to my face.

[Scott Fling]

New books don't have that wonderful book smell. Just old books like ones found in libraries or small bookstores. Used books. But new books don't really smell like anything special.

[Ma Leonarda Castañares]

Entering a bookstore and the smell of books wafting in the air is HEAVEN.

[Carlos Mata Saenz]

I do like a new book smell, as the smell of a book shop. It’s one of the things I miss from reading on the iPad. But I completely understand people who don’t like it.

[AlexGrav]

Perhaps it's just the smell of a new book that triggers a deeper meaning. For example, once you open that new book and get a whiff of its unread pages, you garner a sense of excitement for the journey you are about to take through its many untouched pages. Just a thought.