I like new books, but the funky stank coming emanating from some of my thrift store finds is truly gagging. As my father used to say, "That smell could knock a dog off a gut-wagon!" (whatever the hell that means).

I prefer the smell of new books, but not all of them. UK printed books tend to smell pretty bad. There's a sourness about the smell that I can't stand. Some US printed books smell great, others don't smell much at all, everything in between. But I have a pretty sensitive nose and pick up a lot of nuance in scents. Books smell different to me, and I can even tell a book published by Ace on smell alone.

I hate the smell of old books, though. Ugh, so musty and gross.

Some books are really pungent in a bad way, but most times I don't mind the smell, but don't love the smell. I love the words, and I think if you do, too, you love the best parts of the books. I don't think you're a fraud at all for not loving the smell!

I've never really thought about the smell, actually. Personally, I love to browse the bookstore and library because it's just so peaceful. Even with the screaming children in the corner.

I never much noticed the new book smell until I ran into Bad Book Smell. Which is apparently a combo of cigarette smoke and mildew, and I only now know of thanks to getting sent a smelly used book. Bleh. Otherwise I've not been one to run about sniffing books.