I wish I could call myself a bookworm but I can’t. It’s not that I have issues with reading them, it’s just difficult for me to find one that I’ll find interesting. But maybe I’m not as bad since this year I already read more than average person in Poland (our average is shameful 1 book) As I said some time ago in my review of Grimoire, books about magic and adventure are my favorite ones. My latest reads include A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. I got it from Dad for my birthday and its imaginary world has drawn me in. As soon as I finished I bought a 2nd book in the series, A Court of Mist and Fury. which was even more engaging. Lately a 3rd tome titled A Court of Wings and Ruin was launched but It’ll be over 6 months until it’s translated to Polish. I feel mildly tempted to not wait and try getting the English version, I think I would be fine with that.
But moving to the main topic. I have never read a perfume book, one of those specialty ones written by experts, journalists or people who work in the industry for ages. They are expensive, hard to find in my country and nobody cares to translate them since audience interested in such literature is quite limited. But I don’t mind. Online articles, other blogs and websites are quite rich in information about all things fragrant. But sometimes you just want to hear a paper rustling as you turn the page. Do you know that feeling?
This weekend I’m going to continue to dig through a 3rd issue of NEZ – the olfactory magazine. And I highly recommend reaching out to find one. Sure it’s not a book but in a form of a magazine it’s much more approachable. The articles have wit, temperament, some even carry a part of writer’s personality. It’s very well made, starting from the quality of paper and finishing on the graphic aspect. Issue 3 (first available in both French and English, issues 1-2 were only printed in French) covers a wide topic of sex of scent. The texts are so interesting that I had to slow down to not read everything over 1 weekend. Have you read any perfume related books? Would you recommend any of them?
[note] photo – my own; all rights reserved
Chemist in the Bottle 
Really interesting review, thanks for the suggestion, I will try to find this intriguing publication.
Glad I could raise your interest
My mind is a bit like a butterfly these days and I don’t often concentrate on reading books, which is sad as I used to get through three a week; I think it’s because I spend too much time reading blogs!
I have read most of the books mentioned on the blogs, but now none of them stand out enough for me to genuinely recommend them, although they were interesting at the time. I enjoyed reading about noses and their creations, and people’s “journeys” into the world of fragrance, but I think I may have reached saturation point. That’s just personal though.
The book – a novel – that I really disliked was the one that most perfumistas seem to love: “Perfume” by Patrick Suskind. There’s no denying that it is interesting but I found it so unpleasant and it left me with a horrid taste in my mouth (although that might be its point!).
My favourite blogs are so good and provide great information in bite-sized chunks – perfect for me and my butterfly mind.
Hi Jillie, I’m sorry to hear that but I truly understand. There are so many great blogs that provide interesting texts.
I think many of those books are more like guides or partially like biographies of perfumers.
I have only seen a movie based on P. Susking novel and I really liked watching it but perhaps the book was affecting ones imagination more with the things that happened there.
You’re probably right about the “Perfume” film/book.
You’re definitely right about the pleasure of reading a “real” book as opposed to one on a Kindle (or its equivalent). I find I can’t get into something so much when it is there on a screen, but holding it, turning the pages, sniffing the paper and print and hearing the rustling make it an immediate, immersory experience. I feel at one step removed when reading on a device. I like burying my nose in a book! And there have been recent reports which seem to be saying that in fact people are beginning to return to the old fashioned way of reading. Yay!
I definitely see quite a lot of people with paper books in city buses or trams so perhaps a real book instead of electronic is becoming more popular again
Books look so beautiful too – seeing shelves of them always makes me feel happy and calm. Perhaps that’s why I married a librarian!!
Yes, they make interiors feel more cosy… if that makes sense
Jillie, I found “Perfume” to be creepy, too.
Glad I’m not the only one!
Reading is one of my favorite pastimes, and not a day goes by that I don’t devote a few hours to it. I go to the library every Monday and far prefer actual books to using a Kindle or the like.
Like Jillie, I’ve read many of the books recommended on the perfume blogs. I tend to prefer the non-fiction stuff like Emperor of Scent and The Perfect Scent, and also scientific books about the sense of smell and books on aromatherapy.
How lovely that you’re able to spend some time with a book each day!
It was reading one of Valerie Worwood’s books that opened up the world of aromatherapy for me. As a result I used to concoct all sorts of potions for friends and relatives, like a good little white witch!
Sounds like this book gave you a lot of fun
My first introduction to aromatherapy was Robert Tisserand’s The Art of Aromatherapy. I still concoct potions, but not as much as I used to since many eos are really expensive and I can get easily carried away and just want to keep mucking about and adding onto the collection. Now that green beauty products and perfumes are widely available, I have ready access to much of what I used to stir up in my makeshift cauldron at home. 🙂 It’s not as much fun though, that’s for sure!
Yes, Robert Tisserand was another of my good reads too and I now use quite a few Tisserand ready-made products like handwash and handcream; my favourite was the Gentle Rose Blend which contained rose, geranium and lemon leaf – these notes are always a hit for me.
Essential oils seem to be ridiculously expensive these days, but I keep a few “essentials”(!) ready for vaporising.
I’m not familiar with this book but it’s probably because I wasn’t very much interested in aromatherapy
You have a knack for composing good photos, some arranged by you (like this one) and others the angle from which you took it (terra cotta bunnies several Easters back). I got my Nez bookazine at Sniffa. I have yet to crack it open but I am looking forward to doing so.
Thanks sweetie. Maybe perfume photographer could be a backup plan 😉 there are quite a few nice photos on my instagram that I’m proud of lately. Would you believe that black-white background is a pillow cover?
Hajusuuri is so right! Your Terra Cotta Bunny Army is one of my favourites of all time.
Thank you both! Depending on to which photo you’re referring it was either taken by me but last year I used a photo of bunnies from Stary Browar galery Instagram page
Reading Nez right now, what a great issue. On my Kindle app I’m reading a perfume “bodice-ripper” called Aphrodesia, silly but fun. Have you read the fantasy series that starts with “The Lies Of Loch Lamora” by Scott Lynch? It take about half the book to really get going, but once it does it’s a wild ride! There are 3 books in the series. -Robert H.
I have really enjoyed reading Burr’s books, some of the first I read when I started into perfume. Suskind’s books and movie were quite extreme.
I read Floating Gold: A Natural (and Unnatural) History of Ambergris, after hearing the author on public radio when it came out. The subterfuge and craziness in the ambergris world was like a novel even though it was nonfiction. It helped that is was in New Zealand for the most part which is a place I really want to return to.
I have not see a copy of Nez I will look for it. Oud was a magazine that I found out from NST and I really enjoyed the one copy I found.
Sorry of the late entry, the weekend was to busy to check blogs! Back to predictable Monday.
Did you also read Burr’s last novel, You or Someone like you? He even launched a fragrance of same name with ELdO. I only read a part of Floating Gold and it sounded nice.
Wishing you a good week
I had not read the novel. I will put it on my summer list. 19 teaching days left!
Yay for coming vacations
Me too I like NEZ. I am a reader from the first issue … in french
My French is not good enough to read first 2 issues 😦