Comments on: Smells like a bestseller!

By: Kevin A. Lewis

Kevin A. Lewis — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 19:45:09 +0000

The library smell probably has some component to it that could be used for time-travel, if not outright communication with the spirit world; my old school library in elementary school had all kinds of books from the twenties and thirties which had, well, their own “atmosphere”… I’ve also noted a peculiar aroma to a lot of the silly-but-fun paperbacks I bought in high school which is probably due to the sulfur-based paper they used back then, and which makes them tend to fall apart after 40 years or so. (Which is the case with one relic I’m carefully re-enjoying now, although ironically the TRUE cigarette ad page in the middle is as good as new) I can happily report that my old copies of Creepy Magazine from the 60’s are still in good shape, though….

By: sharon

sharon — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 13:46:10 +0000

I could’ve used that song in my Chem 101 class! And I must confess…a world where all books smell like coffee doesn’t sound like the most terrible thing

By: Emmi Herman

Emmi Herman — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 01:40:00 +0000

I double love this post! In order to memorize the nonmetallic ores in the periodic chart in 8th grade–a long, long time ago–I created a song as a device to memorize all nonmetallic ores–asbestos, corundum, etc–sung to the tune of a popular showtune. I was not an A student in science but I always loved to write (and I STILL remember the song). But your post had me at the smell of books. One intoxicating whiff of a children’s library book and I am enraptured by all the old memories it embodies. I hope that experience won’t ever be lost on today’s kids. In the age of Starbuck-in-bookstores and coffee shops-in-libraries, I can’t help but wonder if kids think all books simply smell like coffee.