Are scratch-and-sniff covers the future of physical books?
After years of special editions, including unique cover designs and sprayed edges, one publisher has gone for the sensory experience of print books.
- Scholastic published the YA book Mint to Be by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc last October. The peppermint-scented book cover was meant to evoke the wintry romantic setting of the story.
- Chicken House, owned by Scholastic, published their second scratch-and-sniff YA book this summer. My Roman Summer by Bruna De Luca smells like lemon, intended to send readers to a summer in Rome.
Earlier this year, Sarah at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, wrote about how books are becoming luxury items, and it’s hard not to think about her provocative insights as they relate to things like scratch-and-sniff book covers. The interactive element is fun and unique, but ultimately, what’s the point?
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- If you’ve ever had a scratch-and-sniff sticker, the novelty wears off quickly; it certainly wouldn’t last long sitting on a home bookshelf, let alone in a library.
In an era when fewer young people–and adults!–are reading for recreation, it’s hard not to wonder what the point is. These are books for teen readers, and for years, experts and advocates for teens have been sounding the alarm on the need for more YA for younger teen readers, as well as a reminder that YA books are for teens.
Buying books and reading books are two different hobbies, and as books are increasingly aesthetic objects, it’s worth considering who the audience is for a smelly book and why it is the book’s writing isn’t enough to create a scent sensory experience.
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