Thought for the Week
“They need to create a ‘book smell’ app!” I wrote after caving in and buying a tablet computer. But the smell was never the point; it was the memories it evoked. (Although I do still love the moldy redolence of old library books and inky fragrance of paperbacks.)
When I was a teenager, I had a three-day-whirl with a teasy blonde from Texas, who accidentally-on-purpose spilled her perfume on my pillow. And for years after that, the slightest whiff of White Shoulders would trigger memories of that summer fling.
But the smell of books was even more alluring. Their fragrance was the perfume of my true soulmate. I can’t remember when I wasn’t in love with books, with the places they took me, the feelings they stirred, the ideas they introduced me to.
I can still recall the scent of Huckleberry Finn, The Call of the Wild and The Three Musketeers (think literary, not literal!). Later, books like The Once and Future King, Dune, The Lord of the Rings, The Time Machine, Slaughterhouse Five, and Watership Down took me to places I could never have gone without them.
Books like Cry the Beloved Country, To Kill a Mockingbird, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Great Gatsby, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Native Son and Catcher in the Rye broadened my understanding of what it means to be human.
And finally, books by writers like C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, Evelyn Underhill, Thomas Aquinas, Thomas Merton, Deitrich Bonhoeffer, and most importantly The Bible, changed who I am.
No doubt, many traditionalists (including me) will keep their “real books,” just as jazz and blues aficionados keep their “real recordings” on pristine vinyl. But it’s the memories that really endure. When Gutenberg introduced the printed book, how many monks and scholars missed the smell of vellum and parchment? Will the upcoming generation miss the “real book” smell of plastic e-readers when in-the-air holographic books take their place? Probably.
But what will never go away—God forbid!—are the journeys, the feelings, the ideas, the places they take us. Oh, those sultry summer nights spent feathering the edges and inhaling the aroma of my first love–stories–before drifting off to dream of the worlds to which they’d transported me.
So, goodbye, books, I love you. And hello, books, whatever new form you may take…
I love you.
I still prefer that paperback in my hands no matter if its on a computer or not.
Especially old ones!
A beautiful love story in which I can relate, Mitch. Well-smelled! I love the smell of books and all the enchanting feelings they evoke. Thank you for this beautiful post, dear friend.💚
My pleasure, dear bookaholic friend.
YES to BOOKS! Real, physical, paper BOOKS and the libraries that store them.
Gotta have hard copies! Staring at screens isn’t the same as curling up with a good book. 😳
Some of my older books have that aroma. I have hard copies, and not enough room for them: I refuse to part with my books. Momo says a few have to go. I can’t bear to part with Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, Hemingway, Capote, Roth and Wolfe, all of my favorite authors. When I check out, they will likely go to my oldest grandson, who is an avid reader. I have never read a book on a screen, too old school, I guess.
I love physical books. I have multiple book shelves. The beauty of physical books is that I can look at my book shelf, and each book will elicit a memory, just from the cover. I can open the book to where I remember something was that I read (and have written in). And the books are sitting next to other books which help me connect the dots because I can see all of them together. It’s reminding me of something that Richard Rohr just posted in his daily devotional – something about a nested egg story. There are four parts to it. The smallest and most inside story is “my story.” Then there is “our story.” Then “other stories.” And finally “The story.” Having the books all together helps me to see the other stories and get a glimpse of the story.
Great reflection, Matthew.
Word💥
Indeed, lots of words. ;>)
lol. As my disability and head injuries and memory issues progress, writing is tougher, and, still a joy when inspired.
But I would like to say more…that when I first read the science around memory and smells, I found that to be very much true to my experience. Smell of old books in particular. So I really loved your peace on this. Like how, if I just think of old books, I can remember the smell of them, as if it’s in my hands. Reading your piece brought tht up. Not just, when I smell old books I have memories of old books, which I also do.
I think it’s because of how precious books have always been to me, as someone from poverty who never had the same access to books as other families I knew whose houses had shelves of books, not just what was cheaper to buy for my mom. Libraries and poverty didn’t mix well for a single mom with four, three one year apart. Systems of beurocracy kept us away from public libraries. I just used school ones. Until, after being unhoused and getting stable economically, I went in a Public library. Than, years later, at 40, getting my first library card with my daughter as I was helping her get hers. Still brings tears to my ryes. Now, I’m making up for lost time.
What a story you yourself have to tell, Victoria!
Your story plus, your engagement inspired me. Thnx again
Delight to hear that. My pleasure, Victoria.
This post spoke deeply to my retired librarian heart. I get my book fragrance fix by volunteering at the library twice a week. Three times when I’m really needy.
;>) Smell on, Pam!
Going there today, Mitch!📚
Books always take me somewhere that I’ll never visit in person.
Even with the ease and convenience of Kindle or Nook, etc., I prefer a physical book in my hands. My husband and I grew up reading books, our kids grew up reading books, our grandkids are avid book readers and our youngest son is the librarian at our local town library. Books are in our blood; they sustain us on a daily basis. I would be miserable without books in my life. Here’s to the hard stuff! Thanks, Mitch!
My pleasure, Nancy!
Nothing beats the scent of a paper book. I love books and old independent bookstores. Pleasantly nostalgic.
Ahh – White Shoulders. A classic.
Very nice post, Mitch. I have loved books all my life. I, too, love the smell of a book – new or old – even the smell of a library book (that’s a different smell altogether). I still read print books, but I can read so much faster on my tablet. I like that I can set the font to a bigger size and breeze on through. Holographic or otherwise, we’ll always be readers.
As a side note, I used to shop library book sales for 50 cent and dollar bargains. Of course, I bought books I wanted to read someday, but I was stockpiling them for barter material for when the zombie apocalypse occurred or a complete breakdown in society – whichever came first. I read an account from a person in one of the South American countries when their economy failed. She said there was no entertainment, and people were desperate for books.
God forbid that should happen here, Maddie. But if it does, yes, Trudy and I will climb under a blanket with a book, a flashlight, and two cups of cocoa (if we can afford it), and read until the power comes back on.
I’ll try my tablet and put a library hold on a graphic novel. I never thought to do that with the tablet because I use audiobooks due the head injury/‘s. Graphic novels are good for memory and learning due to use of left/right brain with images, colour, action with text.
What a great post! The smell of books is one of the most important smells in my life, the smell full of adventures, different languages and countries, travels around the world.
It is a pity nowadays young people can’t enjoy that magic smell.
<3
Books are my friends and have been since my first library card. I still prefer a book in my hand.
The old books I have (10 yes. Old) do have that certain smell to them.However, the newer books of today have lithium in the pages. I found out from looking up library books years ago.
With most things online now I hardly sit and read a book anymore.
I’ll hold onto my coffee table books though, lol.
Have a great rest of the week Mitch.
Sounds like you might do well with an e-reader, Cora.
I’m another who LOVES books, LOVES going to the library, LOVES a good rummage at a thrift store for intriguing titles and favorite authors. “Nothing ever invented provides such sustenance, such infinite reward for time spent, as a good book”–David McCullough (author and historian). AMEN!
I’ll second that amen, Nancy!
Memories!
The smell of books scent me crazy!!!!!!!!
;>)
Great post, interesting going to church and hardly no one has an actual bible, but I understand progress and technology, even the bible has a smell.
Oh, yes. And I’m sure the Jews and Jesus-followers of a thousand or so years ago loved the smell of the Scripture scrolls.
I’ve never smelt an old book? Always wanted to. I’ve read other writers thoughts on such ancient also fantastical, art so emboldened in gold, no matter how graphical.
Perhaps one days. Awesome post. I fell into your descriptions. ☺️ Alex
Thanks, Alex.
Excellent post! I have always treasured books, the smell, visiting the library, browsing, and selecting books after reading the front and back pages and the first paragraph on the first page. I can’t imagine giving that joy up for an e-book.
I remember, as a student in elementary school, then junior high, and even senior high, that one of the things I most looked forward to after summer vacation was the scent of the books I’d open for each new class. Some were brand new, never before touched by another soul. There was something almost magical about being the first to turn their pages, to read their words, to inhale the scent of fresh ink and binding—it was soul intoxicating. And then, just as I was lost in the moment, the teacher would start speaking… and ruin everything.
;>)
Yes, yes, yes!!! Yesterday I opened my old Paddington Bear book to be signed at the Eric Carle Museum, and the smell of ‘old’ brought smiles and memories. Of course the books you mention are the really important ones. Reading fiction, like those great books, does more to shape character than anything else. Really. Our world would be a far better place if everyone had read these books. That’s why I read aloud to children. Thank you, Mitch!
My privilege, Jennie. And thank you for the untold numbers of children whose character you’ve so beautifully shaped over the years!
That’s so nice, Mitch. Thank you!
Nice post, Mitch
Thanks for the follow and happy writing, blogging + creating
best wishes
craig
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IvVfzPcHDMxaYm9e04GnO6h0-HxslbCJ0LLofOgzX1M/edit?tab=t.0
You too, Craig.
Boy, did you ever invoke a memory for me! My kryptonite was “Love’s Baby Soft.” Months after the romance was gone, I found and bought an air freshener with the same smell. I think I finally threw it away some twenty years later after my nose could no longer extract any fragrance from it. Thanks for the memory!
Wow! I just found it on Amazon. Can you say, “add to cart?”
;>)
I have no use for e-readers. I need the solid feel of the book in my hands. I did not always love books, but when I reached my early twenties, I fell in love with them and have never stopped reading–and rereading many of them. I can spend many hours in other lands with other lives and be completely content in the journey. Thanks for the great post, Mitch.
My pleasure, Diane.
This is a wonderful post, Mitch! All the best sensory experiences and the classic titles you mention—so many vivid memories of those books and all of the years of loving and discovering more literature. In whatever form- all of them are essential magic.
So glad you enjoyed it, Lori.
I’m in my 70’s and still have the Great Books of the Western World (54 volumes) my parents bought us when we were in junior high school. The smell brings back those memories, which is something to say when one is reading Kant….
Wow! We didn’t have those, but I do remember hearing about them. Yeah, people don’t typically wax sentimental about reading Kant as a kid.
Maybe you can help me unsubscribe? I’m getting every little comment around this post and it’s a bit much even though I really love the post. I’m trying to unsubscribe and I’m still getting these comments in my email wondering if you can help me?
There’s a “manage subscriptions” option that should allow you to uncheck that feature.
Books have surrounded me all my life, too. Loved these words in your blog. I remember the first time I checked a book out in the adult section. I was in the fifth grade and had read completely through the children’s library. I remember checking out Gone with the Wind, The Three Musketeers, To Kill a Mockingbird. The prissy librarian told me I could not check out in the adult section. She called my mother who told I had her permission to check any book I wanted. I checked the books out, hopped on my unicycle and happily pedaled home. Read Gone with the Wind perched in the porch swing till dark. Happy day!
Ah, the magic of books.
BUON POMERIGGIO
Buon pomeriggio, B Corcoran!
Still enjoy holding a real book in my hands instead of a tablet. Books take us to places we would otherwise never have a chance to go. A day without a book is impossible!
I agree, Bev.
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