Books STINK!

Not in the way you are thinking, I am a voracious reader and have a guilty bookbuying fetish...

But, has anyone noticed many new books STINK?? I have a "complete works of Narnia" - I can't even read it. My son's textbook are horrible. I have several guide books to hikes, waterfalls, etc. in the Ozarks and they smell just the same...

What are the printing new books on these days? It is a horrible chemical smell and an instant trigger...

Holly

I think it is a combo of the glue, the ink, and whatever they process the paper with. But yes... some of them do stink!

Oh yeah, I know what you mean- I purchased a few of those- they smell like a bad plastic or something like that, totally chemical, not paper at all.
I can't read it either. What I've noticed all of these are with pictures.

I hope it'll air out eventually, only God knows how long it will take.
One of the books I have is Canada Weeds guide so it really irritates me I can't use it as much as I want.

Risa

Yes, you're right...! The more pictures, the more stink!

So my guidebooks all have it....

Holly

Try standing the opened offending stinky book(s) on a rack over a pan of clean old-fashioned (non-clumping) clay cat litter {sometimes fresh baking soda is also added}, with the whole works inside a plastic bag. Then close the bag tightly, and leave the book(s) for a month or so. This is one method book dealers use to get rid of musty, or tobacco, smells in used books.

Librarians use that method too. If you leave it long enough it even removes the smell of cat urine.

Charlotte

Wow that is a great trick! I can't stand to get a used book and have it come smelling like cigarette smoke ... and part of my being a migraineur is, I have a very sensitive nose...
Thanks!
Holly