Overheard a guy at the library say old books smell better than new ones

I was at the downtown library last Tuesday and heard this older gentleman telling a friend that he only reads books printed before 1980 because the paper and glue smell nicer. He said new books just don't have the same warmth and character. Has anyone else ever noticed a difference in smell between old and new books when you're binding them?

2 comments

2 Comments

evan15118d ago

Totally get what he means, old books have this sweet vanilla scent from the lignin breaking down over time. Newer books just smell like ink and chemicals, not the same cozy vibe at all.

jesse_barnes3711d ago

Man, I actually read somewhere that the smell of old books comes from all those chemicals breaking down. Lignin turns into vanilla and almond scents over time. New books smell like fresh glue and paper mill chemicals, nothing interesting. That old book smell is basically the book aging like fine wine. I remember hearing a story about rare book collectors who can spot fakes just by sniffing the pages. Makes total sense why that guy sticks to pre-80s stuff.