Ahhhh! I absolutely adored The Smell of Other People’s Houses!
It is the. B.E.S.T. I tell you. I think it was the sniffing. And yes, I did sniff this book. I think that’s a requirement of reading it??? (Okay, honestly I sniff a lot of books, and don’t look at me like that. Books smell delicious.) I was pretty much doomed to love this once I saw the title and read the first chapters and realised how sensory and beautiful the writing would be. My ONLY complaint is that it’s so small!! I wanted mooooore!
- The writing is a visual and sensory feast for one’s eyeballs.
I could honestly taste and smell and see everything. And do you know how hard that is to write?! REALLY HARD. But this book kind of swallowed me. Although, just in case you were worried, the characters don’t go about actively sniffing things. The whole “smell of other people’s houses” kind of also reflects on the conglomeration of families the book is about and how different they are. And it links smells to feelings and it’s altogether lyrical and beautiful.
- I LOVE THE WRITING SO MUCH I WANT TO EAT IT.
#logicalreaction Obviously.
- It has 4 narrators — but they’re all different and interesting.
Usually I despise multiple narrators. (Especially in 1st person because it gets soooo confusing and voices blend.) BUT NOT HERE. This book did it perfectly! All of the characters are unique and complex. I JUST WISH THERE HAD BEEN MORE ON THEM. BECAUSE I LOVE THEM SO. Reading such a tiny book was just like sniffing the gingerbread without getting to eat any. #seewhatIdidthere ANYWAY! A quick recap of them:- RUTH: Who lives with her gran who kind of hates her for being a teen pregnancy case.
- DORA: Who is actually not an explorer, #relief, and comes from a super abusive family which is SO SAD and she’s such a scared but angry kid I LOVED HER.
- ALYCE: Who is a ballerina! But also a fisherman! So a ballerfisherina? (That works, don’t deny it.) And she wants to dance, but also loves fishing with her dad.
- HANK: Who has run away with his two little brothers from his sucky home life and they are all adorable and homeless and tragic.
Their Respective Smells (according to ME anyway) Would Be:
Ruth: tinned food and loneliness
Dora: Whisky and fear contrasting with pie and woodsmoke
Alyce: Fish guts and salt and family
Hank: Staleness and crumpled old clothes and caring
(I realise not all of these are “smells” per se, but IT’S AESTHETIC.)
- It’s set in Alaska!!
In the 1970s! Do you know how much I know about Alaska? LIKE 3%. I attribute my small suitcase of knowledge to once upon a time, when I was a small human, I read The Year of Miss Agnes WHICH WAS AWESOME. And also there was this book my mum read out loud that I think was set in Alaska? The Blue Bear or something? It was about guys who GOT EATEN BY A FRIKKIN’ BEAR. (Thanks for that childhood trauma, Mum. <3) Ahem…but regardless I loved learning more about life in Alaska. And from the author’s note, I gather she grew up in Alaska and a lot of the stories are a conglomeration of things she experienced or people she knew (!!!!) Regardless it all felt very REAL…like I was totally THERE. Such an awesome feeling.
- Also there was delicious food.
I’m a sucker for books that take the time to make me hungry. Wait. No. This is bad. CURSE THEM. (I’m joking, I love them.) Also there was blueberry pie which particularly hurt. Also fish. I’m not so keen on fish. AKA: I hate fish. I would die in Alaska.
- The stories interlocked splendiferously.
I mean, there are 4 storylines here…but the way they meshed was pure magic. Good job, book.
My negatives are like teeny tiny guppies.
Simply that, while captivated the heart of the protagonists’ journeys, I felt a bit cheated about how fast it moved along. Alyce’s story didn’t feel deep enough. Hank’s backstory was a little unclear. And I also am not entirely sure on everyone’s nationalities. I TRIED TO READ CAREFULLY. But I cannot tell you who is native Alaskan or white. #confused
Hello new favourite story!
It made me feel warm and comfortable (perfect wintery read!!) and the characters were all so precious and wonderful. Also the sniffing of houses was very relatable to me because I have a very sensitive sense of smell myself and perhaps sniff the occasional house too. THIS BOOK IS FOR ME AND I AM A PLEASED FISH. *
* Except for that mild fact that I hate fish. But I love this book. But shhhhh, the metaphor-thingy still does work. BECAUSE ALASKA = FISH.
THANK YOU TO ALLEN & UNWIN FOR THE REVIEW COPY. The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock is published JULY 2016.
Alaska, 1970: growing up here is like nowhere else.
Ruth wants to be remembered by her grieving mother.
Dora wishes she was invisible to her abusive father.
Alyce is staying at home to please her parents.
Hank is running away for the sake of his brothers.
Four very different lives are about to become entangled. Because if we don’t save each other, how can we begin to save ourselves?
Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock’s extraordinary, stunning debut is both moving, and deeply authentic. These intertwining stories of love, tragedy, wild luck, and salvation on the edge of America’s Last Frontier introduce a writer of rare and wonderful talent.
I don’t really sniff books… but I do rub my face against the pages of new books vecause it feels amazing. I haven’t read this, but it sounds awesome. I’ve read some short stories in Alaska in A Tyranny of Petticoats, and I read Lost Voices, which is set in the sea of Alaska and is stunningly beautiful.
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ohhh I need to read a Tyranny of Petticoats. I REALLY DO. *nods* And rubbing one’s face in a book sounds like a nice idea honestly. :’)
I LOVE the smell of new books. It’s a habit of mine to sniff pages of any book someone gives me or I pick up, sometimes even before I read the book. XD This book sounds really awesome. Ugh if only shipping didn’t take so long so I could hurry up and read it already. 😀
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WE ARE BOOK SNIFFERS *hi fives* And some books just smell particularly good don’t you think?!? It’s glorious. <3
That cover is so pretty!! 😍 And the story sounds awesome too. Definitely going to read this soon, Cait. And the number of books I’ve read which are set in Australia = 0. I hope to change that soon!
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ISN’T IT JUST AHHHHHH.😍😍 Basically I was doomed to be in love with this book. GORGEOUS INSIDE AND OUT.
Haha, but this is set in Alaska, not Australia.😉
This one sounds so good! Can’t wait to sniff it myself 🙂
I HOPE IT IS AN ENJOYABLE SNIFF FOR YOU TOO.
Wait… Did you accidentally post this before and then take it down, or did I have a Raven Cycle type premonition, or blue whale sized déjà vu? I swear I read this before. Anyway *flails* *flails* *flails* *takes a deep breath* *flails* *flails* I too wished this book was longer! As you know it is tied for my top spot so far this year. I read The Minnow and Nightbird and I loved those, too. I have a question about this book for you. It would be a tad spoilery, so where eould be the best place to ask you?
HAHHA. No you probably saw it on Goodreads!😂 It’s been up there for…omg, MONTHS?!?! I didn’t realise the Aussie release date was like a gazillion and nine years after the US one. -_- BUT AH WELL. It’s such a beautiful book and I am the happiest with it. <3
Do you want to DM me on twitter or message through Goodreads? Although I can't promise an intelligent answer because it's been 1+ months since I read it and I might've forgotten things. BUT I'M REALLY CURIOUS THO SO ASK AWAY.😂
I loved this book too. I want to visit Alaska now even though I am sure I will shrivel up and die in the cold 🙂
Also I kind of jealous because I’ve got a different cover! My cover
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I would ABSOLUTELY die in the cold! I’ve never even seen snow hahahah. And I do love the US edition of the cover. 😍
Occasionally I do sniff books…and new ones are much better in terms of smell!
NEW ONES ARE THE BEST OF BEST SMELLS OMG.
I DO SMELL BOOKS !!! AND I LIKE NEW ONES BETTER TOO ! Because I’m allergic and old books can be SO dusty, my nose wants to run away and I still need it.
You made me really want this book even though i didn’t know about it before, awesome review !
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Saaaaame. Ugh. It’s sad because I love the THOUGHT of old books but honestly they actually kill my nose.😂
This book sounds very interesting! I haven’t read any books set in Alaska, and everything I know about the place comes from watching Northern Exposure (which wasn’t even filmed there, sadly). But I think it’s a place I’d like to visit.
I don’t tend to sniff books anymore, but I used to! (Honestly, who hasn’t sniffed books, new and old??) I think I prefer the scent of new books, because it’s fresher than old books.
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I think Alaska WOULD be nice to visit!! Although I would 10000% die because of the cold, too, considering I’VE NEVER EVEN SEEN SNOW. Ahem.
(And I’m pretty sure every bookworm has sniffed a book AT LEAST ONCE.)
I love the smell of books! The smell of paper and ink feels like home. 🙂 (Which could be because there are books EVERYWHERE in my chamber. Well, books and plants. It’s a bit like a garden where you can find books and a bed.) I think the smell of new and old books are equally good, if different. But when I sniff at an old book I immediately think about libraries and libraries are a place of books and silence aka. pure heaven. ;P Although you should probably keep away from old books. No dying, please! XD
And I’m definitively going to read this book! Even if you wouldn’t have read and liked it and even if the title wouldn’t be that intriguing I’ve read zero books set in Alaska. So yes, definitively reading this. 😉
That is true for me too.😂 BOOKS EVERYWHERE. It is the grandest way to live honestly omg. :’) And I will probably continue to avoid old books.😂 Even though it pains me because oLD BOOKS HAVE SO MUCH HISTORY AND ARE EXCITING!! AHHHH!
I hope you enjoy this one! IT IS A NEW FAVOURITE OF MINE NOW. *twirls happily*
I’m so excited for this book. I’ve heard a lot of good things about the writing, and Alaska is one of my favorite places ever. Great review.
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The writing is just about my favourite thing to devour since cake SO THAT’S SAYING A LOT.
Who doesn’t sniff books?! Also two of my favorite books when I was younger are set in Alaska – Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George and Jason’s Gold by Will Hobbs. I had no idea what this one was about before now, but I’m really interested!
AGREED.😂 I’m sure all bookworms have sniffed books AT SOME POINT. It’s like a bookworm prerequisite. 😂 AHhhh Julie of the Wolves! YES. I’d forgotten about that one till you mentioned it!!
I like sniffing books, i don’t know about new and old. I will read this book, it sounds great! Your review was so amazing and it made me want to buy it.
OMG THANK YOU! AND HUZZAH!!! I’m glad I was monstrously convincing!! *twirls happily*
OMG this book sounds sooo good!
And yes I do sniff books. I love how each and every book has a different smell. For an instance, my completely destroyed Lord of the Rings paperbacks(the movie editions, so their kinda old. Also I got them at a second hand sale) and they have this special smell to them that I have come to associate with Lord of the Rings, and if I were to read a different copy of LOTR, it wouldn’t be the same. I would basically refuse to believe that it was actually LOTR. That sounded really weird, right? I love the smell of old and new books.
I have read no books set in Alaska…..oh no wait scrap that, I have. But I can’t remember the name of the book, (I read it before I had goodreads. It was a dark time) and now it’s going to drive me INSANE. I think it was New Adult or Adult. I loved it. Oh and I read Looking For Alaska. That counts, right?
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Ohhh, I totally get that about associating-a-smell-with-a-certain-book!! That’s actually really cool, though right?! Your LOTRs are SPECIAL EDITIONS FOR YOU. <3 I don't think it's weird at all!! And I kind of wish I could handle old books' smells a bit better? But allergies. I die.😂
HAHAHHAHHAA. No Looking for Alaska does not count.😂
(Omg okay fine maybe it counts a little.)
Of course I sniff books!!! Really, how could you not? I have to go with old books as being my favorite though, because it feels like you smell all the old stories and history that come along with the age of the book ( just blow the dust out first and it’s ok ). I AM going to read this book now, and I’m actually relieved to hear that’s tiny ( though I may regret that later ) because the last time I picked up a book you told me read it was “Whisper To Me” and the page length nearly killed me ( but it was SO GOOD so it really would have been worth becoming a ghost ). And I have not actually read any books set in Alaska before! So this will be a first for me.
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I AGREE. How could a bookworm exist who’s never sniffed a book!??!😂 And dude, omg I’m sorry about Whisper to Me.😂 BUT I DID WARN YOU IN THE REVIEW IT WAS A MAMMOTH. But this one is like barely 300-pages I think. Well at least the Aussie paperback is. And it’s just generally a lot lighter than Whisper to Me. But I’m soooooo glad you liked WTM anyway. <3 THAT BOOK. *hugs it and howls*
I’m so curious about this one because a lot of people love it. It is not my usual read though so I’m a bit hesitant. Great review, as usual. 🙂
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Aww, thanks, Bee! And I do get being hesitant about it.😂 Tbh it’s not the kind of book I usually love either BUT HERE I AM. OBSESSED.
Books do smell delicious! I love sniffing books too. I am convinced that Hogwarts smells like my Harry Potter books!
Haha, so I guess it’s more like metaphorical sniffing?! I have never read anything set In Alaska, in fact I don;t know anything about Alaska at all!
All four of these characters sound like someone I would like to read about, especially Ruth and Dora and I LOVE storylines that mesh and interlock together.
This definitely sounds like something I need to read! And I love the cover so much I want it on my shelf so that everyone that comes in my house can marvel at it’s beauty! 🙂
Hahahah, YES. More metaphorical sniffing. I was doing actual sniffing though because HEY THE TITLE SAID TO SO I DID. And omg why is Alaska such a non-event-place in YA books?!? We need more ALaska!! I think it’s an entirely interesting place. 🙂
I sniff every book I read! I like new book smell better, though, because old book smell is so smelly. I have not sniffed the book I am reading now, The Impostor Queen, because I really don’t like it that much. It just feels so cliche. Girl has to run away because of magic, and gets rescued by a big guy, and finds out a secret from someone, but they can’t tell her more…
Anyway, I have read maybe one book that was set in Alaska for forty pages? I do not know that much about Alaska. This sounds like a good book, so I might read it.
Great post!
OMG I LOVE THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN. YOU’RE MAKING ME CRY, ELLIE. It was like one of my favourite book of this year.😂
The Smell of Other People’s Houses was a gem. I read it while I was camping, so I felt it was appropriate. It truly was wonderful and I just wished that it could go on forever! Also, the precious innocence of some of the characters was adorable, and all I wanted to do was protect them BUT THAT’S NOT HOW THE REAL WORLD WORKS. 🙁 Why can’t all the characters have perfect lives and live happily ever after? Though the conclusions for each of the characters was pretty satisfying (for me) ‘cuz it was left kind of open, which *is* how the real world works. A+ Storytelling.
OMG YESSSS! Reading it while camping is just very very awesome. And also reading it in winter worked well for me too…hehe. AND YES WHY DID IT EVEN END!??! I loved all the characters so much I wanted mooooore.
I have to admit when I saw this title I definitely thought you were not talking about a specific book but how you enjoy the (literal) smell of other people’s houses just like you like the smell of books haha!
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Omg I totally forgot to say the author in the title!! AHHH WAHT WAS I THINKING. *facepalm*😂
I love the sound of this! Alaska?? Sign me up! Also the title and cover are perfect. And the 1970s?!!!!! When I have I ever read a book set in the 1970s? Never, that’s when!
THEN CLEARLY THIS ONE IS FOR YOU.😂
I NEED TO READ THIS. But my library is being absolutely horrible and refusing to get it in. SO FRUSTRATING. And I actually haven’t read a book set in Alaska before? Which is strange, because there are books set in literally every other state in the US. Just not Alaska. I wonder why that is?
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Omg your library needs a severe talking to apparently. YOU NEED THIS BOOK AHHHH!H!HH!! And I do wonder why not many books are set in Alaska? It seems strange. :O
THIS LOOKS REALLY GOOD!!!! I’ll have to add it to the good old TBR XD (That has officially eaten me bye)
Agh, I hear ya with the TBR problems. Mine is a fiendish devil these days. BUT DO I TRY TO STOP ADDING BOOKS TO IT? NO.
YES!! I make a point to sniff the books I read. Egh… I don’t know. I too find the smell of old books very sneeze-causing, but so many memories of so many things go along with the smell…
To find out if I like a library or not, I smell it and then I check if it has good books. I also run my fingers along the spines. LIbraries are heaven for me.
Um… yes. One day in the near future I will read this book… wait, how near is near? Is a few months/years exceptable? *grin* just kidding!
Ya know, I can’t think of a single book… oh wait, just one book set in Alaska… but I have no idea what it was called… something about eskimo’s I think. I should write a book set in Alaska! One day…
I looooove old books in theory?!? But when I’m around them, HELLO ALLERGIES.😂 So that’s kind of annoying. But new book smell makes up for it. <33 And yessss...walking through libraries and just petting books is VERY NICE.
New books for the win!! Old books get dust up my nose and then I start sneezing. xD
Ellie | On the Other Side of Reality
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ABSOLUTELY YES TO THAT FOR ME TOO.😂 I mean, I like old books?? But from a distance.
Of course I sniff books. My sister looks at me like I’m crazy when I do it though. Oh well *shrug*. New books are definitely better. It amazes me how when I order a book and it comes in the mail it still has that smell. It keeps it smell through this entire journey *mind blown*. I haven’t read this book, but the title alone just sounds interesting. I don’t read many books about Alaska. I did read a short story about a girl in Alaska and these men came and burned her village. Her Mom and Dad died helping her escape, and she had sled dogs and got away. She almost died from hypothermia, but these people came and saved her (plus she had these crazy dreams involving the Equinox). I don’t remember what the title was or who wrote it. I remember it was in an Anthology though! Do you like anthology’s? I like when they have authors I like in them(*cough* Marie Lu *cough*). My favorite anthology is Slasher Girls & Monster Boys. Everyone should read it! My favorite one in that book is the Alice in Wonderland story (I love all things related to Alice and Wonderland)! Last question, what do you think your house smells like? Mine probably smells like lavender, my mom is obsessed with Lavender candles. I also have a sensitive nose, and I get terrible migraines when I smell/eat anything minty (i.e. peppermint, spearmint, mint, mint, mint, etc.) If I smells it usually the next day I feel like I want to chop of my head, and I am basically in a coma for a day.
BOOK SNIFFERS UNITE. *hi fives* I definitely agree about new books being better. :’) I almost always sniff a book before I start reading it, and some just smell particularly nice?!? IDEK WHY. But I’ve actually mentioned that a book smelt nice in a review once as a positive. hhaha. Oh dear.😂
Omg that sounds like a really sad story. 🙁 BUT OMG WAIT WAIT…I feel like I know what book you mean. Is it Song of something!?? OMG I’M SO ANNOYED. I’M THINKING SO HARD.😂 Ahem. Anyway. Yay for that sad book who’s title eludes us.
Oh I want to read Slasher Girls! I haven’t read many anthologies yet?!? But I’m totally open to trying some someday.
My house smells pretty…neutral I think.😂 Because my family all have smell sensitivities. BUT PROBABLY BAKING because we do a lot of baking. And on Sunday’s it smells like roast lamb which is divine. <333
OMG LEAH. WAS IT JULIE OF THE WOLVES?????????
Honestly I pull a full-on Rory Gilmore in the Yale Library every time I come across books. Mostly older books, but I’ll take anything with pages, really. My favorite thing is the smell of old books. I need a candle that perfectly captures that scent (some come close but none are 100% PERFECT AND I NEED PERFECTION HERE). I don’t think I’ve read any books actually SET in Alaska (something tells me Looking for Alaska doesn’t count even though technically “Alaska” is in there), but I would love to! One of my coworker’s daughters lives in Alaska and it sounds so amazing and way too cold for me.
Ohhhh a bookish smelling candle would be SO NICE. I could get onboard with that.😂 Although tbh I’ve never recreationally burnt a candle BUT THERE’S A FIRST FOR EVERYTHING.
Hhahah yes, probably not Looking for Alaska, ALTHOUGH IT’S STILL SUCH A GOOD BOOK. And I agree about the cold. I. would. die. I’ve never even seen snow.😂
Oh wow. To be honest, I wasn’t really sure what to think of this one but now you’ve got me intrigued Cait! It sounds like a beautifully written story and I love how original the plot sounds. I’m definitely going to have to give it a try now that I know you loved it so much! 😉 Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! <3
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I hope you do like it, Zoe! heheh. I didn’t think it was particularly heavy on the romance either btw.😜
And that’s yet another book I’m adding to my must-read-sometime-in-the-near-future pile! This thing is really starting to tower.
But, sadly,all this talk of scent would fly over my head.
see, for some uncertain reason, my sense of smell is nearly non-existent.
It’s a great privilege to be able to smell a book.
I will come dig you out if your TBR collapses on your head and buries you forever! AREN’T I SO NICE? *self five*
But aw, I’m sad for you not being able to smell things.😕
This sounds like a cute story! Ooh Alaska? There aren’t many books set in Alaska, so this will be the time to expand my knowledge on America! Haha 🙂 Plus, the cover looks really nice. This will definitely be a great summer read!
We totally need more Alaskan books, I think!! There are a gazillion books set in the rest of America…WHY NOT ALASKA??!😂
I mean, since I read it on my Kindle, I didn’t actually get to sniff it, but I WOULD HAVE. I like the smell of new books! I do NOT like the smell of old books. Or probably other people’s houses, while we’re talking about it. They smell… well, “other”. Unless they smell like cookies or pies or something. Then that’s okay. But not books because ew, someone spilled pie in my book!
Erm, right, the book! I loved it toooo! I do wish, like you said, that it had been a little longer (which for both of us is quite surprising, no?) because I did enjoy the stories so much! I loved the setting too- and the historical aspects. Like, Alaska is so different from anywhere in the world, it seems- especially back then, before communication was easier and such. I would like to go to Alaska someday, I find it fascinating. But only for a little while, because no one wants to live in a land of cold and snow all the time. Also, I would have died on a fishing boat if I lived there. Just saying.
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Old books are just allergy inducing things. I mean, I’d LIKE to enjoy their smell? But I also don’t like sneezing my head off so there’s that. And honestly people’s houses smell so weird. My house is the only nice smelling one honestly. *nods* #biased
AND OMG I KNOW RIGHT?!?! With the “why wasn’t it longer” thing.😂 I’m always snarking about how things should be shortening and here I am ASKING FOR MORE. WHO AM I AND WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH THE REAL CAIT?
I would like to go to Alaska…but at the same time I’ve never even seen snow. SO. I would probably die of the cold. I am a miserable beast when it’s only like 10C (that would be 50F for you). ALASKA WOULD KILL ME MOST LIKELY.
I love sniffing books. Everytime there’s a new book, me and my mom ritually sniff it because we cannot not sniff it. I prefer the smell of new books but old ones are nice too. And I haven’t heard of this book I must check it out. 🙂
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Omg you are A FAMILY OF BOOK SNIFFERS. That is tremendous. :’)
Okay your beautiful review makes the book even more intriguing!
Awww, thankyou! It is definitely a worthwhile book! I PROMISE.
THIS REVIEW IS BASICALLY EVERYTHING I *WANTED* THIS BOOK TO BE. Darn subjectivity. But yeah, I wanted it to be like Aristotle and Dante. Maybe I should just reread Aristotle and Dante instead :’)
AGH I AM SO SAD YOU DIDN’T LIKE IT.😂 But I mean, what is this Emily. ME liking a contemporary and YOU not??!???? WHAT IS THIS LIFE COMING TO.
I honestly thought it was about you smelling other people’s houses.
I like smelling books. What bookworm doesn’t? However, some smell weird, almost bad. And I’m not talking about old ones. Old books get dust in my eyes and I dislike that.
I don’t read many (any) books from Alaska. I honestly don’t know much about Alaska and think I should get this. So.. yeah…
GAH I FAILED WITH THE TITLE! I can’t believe I forgot to put the author’s name up there! #fail 😂 And yes, old books can be terrifying, actually, with their dusty and potential-mould-ness. Ugh. I mean, I WISH I could??? But I cannot.
I think I can count the Alaskan books I’ve read probably on one hand! THE SHAME.😂 But to be fair it doesn’t seem like a very popular book setting?
This isn’t my usual type of read but I was still drawn to it because of the unique title and premise! Now that you said the words: sensory writing, I want to read it MORE! And yes I will sniff it too 😀 I must go check if I’ve added this to my tbr shelf on GR (hello OCD!) Fab review as always Cait^^ xx
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Aww, thankyou! *flails happily* I’M GLAD I WAS CONVINCING.😂 Because I really really like this one, heheeh, and the sniffing aspect is glorious.
I don’t generally go sniffing books on purpose. I really don’t like the smell of old books (I have mold allergies, so that may be part of it), and I also don’t like the smell of those newish paperbacks on that really cheap paper that turns yellow after a while. Ugh. So, new books are okay, but I wouldn’t go actively sniffing.
I can’t think of any books I’ve read that were set in Alaska. I read a short story by Neal Shusterman that was set in Alaska, but that’s all I can think of at the moment. Growing up in Canada, I did have to read some books set way up north… but they were about the Canadian north. (I’m guessing the landscape is kind of similar–actually, parts of Alaska are similar to where I live now, I think–but the culture is where you’d find the differences). I’ve read some of Jack London’s books set in the Yukon, which is probably about as close to Alaska as I’ve gotten in books.
I haven’t read this one… but the title alone makes me curious!
*gasps* NO ACTIVE SNIFFING??😂 Hehe, I’m just kidding. FAIR ENOUGH I can’t do old books because of allergies. Which sucks because I got these really epically old books from a 2nd hair store this time and can I even touch them? NOPE. *sobs*
Was Call of the Wild set in Alaska? I only just remember that I did read that in school…omg honestly I could probably count on one hand the Alaska books I’ve read. #shame
I can’t remember exactly where Call of the Wild was set. I read that one and White Fang, too. I think they were in the Yukon (gold rush time period?), or somewhere else in northern Canada. In any case, it was somewhere cold.
Oooh, I was wondering about this. If the writing style is that good, I have to pick it up.
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Yes you neeeeeed it. *piles it on your head*
for the record, I love the smell of old books. Or just the smell of ink, period.
And, oh my goodness, I must get my hands on this books. It honestly sounds like everything I would love!
INK SMELLS SO SO GOOD. I have a thing about really inky pens. <3 I just love them to pieces, basically. TO INKY PIECES. *obsessions casually over inky pens* 😂
I WANT TO READ THIS BOOK
Wow what a review
I’M SO GLAD IT WAS A CONVINCING REVIEW. HUZZAH. GO READ IT. *casually and kindly throws it at you*
Hmm, I HAVE sniffed books, but I’m not sure this book is for me… I love that you enjoyed it though!
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Fair enough! Not every book is for everyone, right?!? I’m really glad I loved it though *hugs book*
GAHHH!!! I MUST READ THIS BOOK!!! Okay, not gonna lie, I love cool, aesthetic-y, writing almost more than I love plots, (but not quite). Also I was born in Alaska and like to call myself Alaskan (I moved when I was four, but who cares, shhhh.) so I feel like I would love this book even more. Excuse me while I go add this to my TBR.
Also, is there a road trip of any kind in this book? Because I am obsessed with roadtrips. <3
YES YOU MUST READ IT. EVERYONE MUST READ IT. I’M LITERALLY THROWING IT AT HTE WORLD HERE. And omg that is so cool you are Alaskan!! And, well, there’s a boattrip? Actually several boattrips! But not really a roadtrip.
I was just talking about the smell of my house with someone the other day. How when you move, the house doesn’t smell like YOUR HOUSE for a long time. Funny. It’s a good subject (or title) for a book!
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It’s so true! Like I never feel like my house does have a smell?! But it definitely does because I notice when it’s not right.😂
Oo, this looks really good! I actually like multiple POVs, as long as it’s done well. I love how the stories all intertwine. So this sounds awesome! Also, I love when writing is very real and visiual and you can experience everything! I always wonder how the writer manages. And I’ve always wanted to go to Alaska! It sounds beautiful. So reading about is the next best thing, right?
I did once read a short non-fic book set in Alaska. Something about The Great Alaskan Dinosaur Adventure/Hunt, or something of that ilk. Basically, it was about a bunch of paleontologists who were looking a dinosaur bones site in a marshy area of Alaska. It was really interesting actually for being a non-fic book. The weather was really weird though and there were huge mosquitoes. There were so many bugs, they had to bundle up tight and cover all of their skin. Also, it was impossible for them to eat without getting mosquitoes in their food. Which is gross, but the sacrifices one makes for dinosaur bones, no?
YES. DEFINITELY READ IT. Plus if you just read about Alaska instead of actually going there, you don’t run the risk of being eaten by a bear. AND THAT’S FUN.
Huge mosquitos don’t sound fun…but digging up Alaskan dinosaurs sounds kind of interesting. And yes one must sacrifice ALL THE THINGS for bones…except for me, probably. I would choose snacks > dinosaurs.
Sounds amazing! I’m adding this to my goodreads TBR! <3
I vote both old books and new books, It really depends on the paper, where they lived before I got them etc etc. I guess we just have to sniff them all!
Also, I have an old copy of Jane Eyre that smells like raisins. It's gorgeous, I swear!
omg a book that smells like raisins?! THAT WOULD BE NICE. :’) Mostly when I find old books they smell like mould and death.😂
Okay. Okay. Okay. This looks super good. I wasn’t completely sold, but now I can’t help myself. You are too convincing. Thanks for the rec.
Convincing is my middle name MWAHHAHAH.
Great review! I loved this one, too — the writing, the idea behind the title, the setting, the multiple POV. Just so good!
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YAYYYY. WE ARE TWINNING. 😀
I loved how this book was so vivid when it came to Alaska and the smells that they had, it made me hungry! But so many character switches made me a bit bored, especially when I wanted to know more about Ruth. It’s not a bad thing if you wanted it to be longer though! Great review Cait!
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Aaah, I am so excited for this book! I have a copy, but I’ve not yet read it. It sounds so good! But I have a feeling it’s gong to be a hard read, emotionally? I think I’ll have to wait a while. I’m not in the right place right now for hard books. But I’m really looking forward to it once I’m up to it! 🙂 Awesome review, Cait!
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Ohhh, I don’t think it’s one that’ll TOTALLY mangle the feels, if that makes you feel better!😂 It does have depth, but I wasn’t feeling like sobbing or anything. BUT SUCH GOOD WRITING OMG SO SO GOOD.