I hope when I hold my first published book in my hands that it doesn't stink. And I'm speaking literally. Some new books smell wonderful. Like when I first read Adele & Simon, I remember I just wanted to sit there and sniff it. But for some reason, some brand-spanking-new picture books stink. I can think of two in particular that I received for the CYBILS. I don't know if it is the ink the publisher uses, or what. But they stink, and I have a hard time thinking of them with any sort of fondness.

Recently-loved smells...
bandaids
chocolate
babies
unscented lotion
bacon
sugar cookies
boiling butter

Recently-horrifying smells...
stomach flu
two nameless picture books
old wet diapers in the trash

I may ponder about smells more than the average-Jane because my husband has never had a sense of smell. So, I guess I have to smell enough for the both of us. He claims that he is particularly brilliant because of his lack of smell...that since his brain doesn't need to worry about smell, it can worry more about remembering things. And, yes, he completely believes that he can taste just as well as the next man.

I think I'll start targeting publishers with pleasant-smelling books. Thank-you-very-much.