The Smell of an e-Book

By Firdous Ahmad Mala

Some time ago, I authored an article “In Defence of e-books” in which I outlined the advantages of digital books, namely their cost and accessibility. Nonetheless, a few of my readers or acquaintances have mentioned that they prefer physical books for their aroma, which is a major factor in their preference. I am writing this article with these viewpoints in mind.

Very few factors capture our transition from one thing to another more aptly than the emergence of e-books. Many readers are fascinated by the tangibility of printed books, such as their weight, the feel of the pages, and—perhaps most nostalgically—their scent. However, the emergence of e-books presents a unique sensory conundrum: how can we balance the emotional and mental presence of books with their material absence? In particular, what does it mean to think about the “smell” of e-books in a time when both technological effectiveness and human nostalgia are valued more and more?

It is important to consider why the fragrance of physical books is so alluring before exploring the abstract concept of the “smell” of e-books. Paper, glue, ink, and occasionally leather or other binding materials emit a complex mixture of chemicals that give books their unique aroma. The slow decomposition of cellulose in paper produces a characteristic musty smell that many readers find soothing, especially in older books. The scent of books has indeed become so recognizable that it is practically a synonym for academic settings and intellectual endeavours. For example, libraries conjure pictures of antique bookshelves, aisles of books, and a distinct smell that is itself a sign of knowledge.

The smell of a book generates memories, nostalgia, and a strong sense of connection to the past for many readers, and it transcends basic scent. Reading a musty book can take a reader back to their early school days or their time spent studying textbooks in college. One of the main reasons why some readers oppose the move to digital formats is the strong emotional connection that exists between the smell of books and the reading experience.

Enter the e-book, a technical wonder that lacks the tactile and aromatic aspects of printed books but offers efficiency, portability, and rapid access. With their sleek technology and weightless design, e-books turn pages with a finger swipe instead of the rustle of paper. The physicality that can firmly establish a reading experience in the senses is absent from them. E-books can feel like a loss, a sterile or distant experience in contrast to physical books for readers accustomed to the tactile and olfactory delights of books.

Perhaps the biggest sensory deficiency in e-books is the lack of a fragrance. An e-book is nothing more than digital code that is seen on a screen, as opposed to physical books that deteriorate and smell of their materials. There is no ink to deteriorate or paper to age. The question of how significant the sensory experience of reading is to our overall perception of books is brought up by this lack of smell and this missing sensory layer. 

The e-book business has come up with inventive techniques to evoke the nostalgia of physical books in spite of this sensory gap. For example, some e-readers include skeuomorphic designs, which simulate the turning of a paper page using screen motions. For digital users, there are even apps and devices that mimic the scent of ancient books, such as candles that smell like old paper. The strong human need to preserve some aspect of the material past in a quickly changing future is reflected in these efforts to close the gap between the physical and digital worlds.

However, despite their cleverness, these solutions fall short in resolving the e-book sensory conundrum. After all, they are imitations—suggestions of a scent rather than the actual thing. The aroma of an old book is a process that develops over time and is a symbol of the book’s history and many hands. It is not merely a product that can be made or put in a bottle. 

E-books are becoming increasingly popular, and the digital world is very likely to have a lasting prominence. Additional developments aimed at bridging the sensory gap between printed and digital texts might emerge as technology develops. For example, virtual reality could eventually produce completely immersive reading experiences that digitally mimic touch, sound, and smell. However, these improvements simply highlight the irony of our predicament: we find ourselves longing for the sensory richness of an older, slower technology in our efforts to make reading more comfortable.

In the end, the “smell” of e-books could be a moving reminder of how our relationship with reading has evolved over the years. We are at a crossroads as we traverse the digital world: should we value the accessibility and convenience that e-books provide more than the rich, multisensory experiences that physical books offer? This conflict speaks to more general concerns about what it means to be human in the digital age. While e-books are likely to continue gaining popularity, they force us to rethink what reading means. Perhaps the true challenge in this discussion between the old and the new is not whether people like certain scents or textures, but rather how we can create a reading experience that respects both the innovations.

• The author is Assistant professor Amar Singh College, Cluster University Srinagar and can be reached at
• [email protected]

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