Oh no, another "I like the smell of real books" discussion

[Worldwalker]

Originally Posted by chamekke

In the meantime, maybe someone will invent a book-scented cologne that we can spray on our readers?

They already have: Paperback.

(those folks sell all kinds of interesting scents, like Crayon and Earthworm, so I figured they'd have a book one, and so they did)

[FizzyWater]

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

Don't forget mouldy paperback that's been in a damp garage for 40 years. You would also need some on-screen images to recreate it properly though — squashed flies and the like.

Ewwww!

[carld]

I've smelled enough books to last me a life time. I like my tidy little Kindle.

[Jcas]

I used to buy a lot of my real books off ebay, second hand book shops etc and believe me it is the smell of some of some of those used books that attracted me to an ebook reader, no more stale tobacco smells every time i turn a page now ....

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

They already have: Paperback.

(those folks sell all kinds of interesting scents, like Crayon and Earthworm, so I figured they'd have a book one, and so they did)

That's fascinating. I'm even tempted to buy it. The 1/2 oz Cologne Purse Spray ($10) should be just the right size to carry in my pocket to spray on any folks I meet who say they prefer the smell of a "real" book.

[Catlady]

Old books have a history, and the smells and stains are part of it. I don't want to recreate that artificially, but I do love old books.

Old books have inscriptions and autographs and bookmarks. I've found old photos and news clippings in used books. I have books that are lovingly inscribed as a birthday or Christmas gift. A book I donated actually ended up with an acquaintance in another part of the country; she found a bookplate in it with my name.

E-books are fine, but they acquire no character over the years--they're just files.

[djbartch]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Old books have a history, and the smells and stains are part of it. I don't want to recreate that artificially, but I do love old books.

Old books have inscriptions and autographs and bookmarks. I've found old photos and news clippings in used books. I have books that are lovingly inscribed as a birthday or Christmas gift. A book I donated actually ended up with an acquaintance in another part of the country; she found a bookplate in it with my name.

We bought my son a used Calvin & Hobbes book from a local bookstore. In the back of the book was the very last C&H comic clipped from a newspaper. Can't get that with an ebook.

My Nook will (I'm still a new user) make my reading easier and make homeschooling easier - but I'll never stop browsing and buying at the local bookstores.

I do think that some people take the technology and shut themselves off, but libraries haven't totally bit the dust yet. At least in this area, they are still alive. Books are getting read and discussed. Libraries are needed to show people the awesome book they otherwise would have missed (whether it's a pbook or an ebook). {And yes, a librarian does more that data entry! I usually can't leave the library without getting some help from the librarian!}

[carld]

Originally Posted by Catlady

E-books are fine, but they acquire no character over the years--they're just files.

To me the words are what's important. Of course I love old books too, but I love them as objects really rather than something readable. I certainly see the allure of collecting books and the fascination with the character they develop over time, but for reading ... give me my Kindle every time.

[Namekuseijin]

I don't. Old books smell of fungus and make me sniff.