A rich collection of literature awaits your discovery in the enchanting world of perfume, where scent intertwines with memory and emotion. Enhance your perfume journey by immersing yourself in books on this captivating subject as we enter the New Year. Our meticulously curated selection is designed to cater to a wide range of readers, from novices eager to explore the world of perfume to aficionados searching for their next distinctive scent. History buffs will be captivated by the rich narrative of perfume’s past. Biography enthusiasts can delve into the lives of iconic figures in the perfume industry. Fiction lovers will be drawn to stories where scent is a central theme. Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a curious beginner, or simply a perfume enthusiast, these books promise to take you on a thrilling sensory adventure into the alluring and enigmatic world of perfume.
Fragrance book general reviews
If you are looking for general knowledge about perfumes, these books provide the best starting point. They also make great perfume books for a coffee table.
Perfumes: A-Z Guide/Perfumes: A Guide
Whether you pick up Perfume: The A-Z Guide (2019) or Perfume: The Guide (2018), you’ll be in for a treat. Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez’s book is a must-have guide for perfume lovers. These books skillfully combine Turin’s scientific expertise with Sanchez’s experienced fragrance reviews, offering more than 1,000 fragrance reviews. The reviews range from sharp, witty criticism to high praise, making the books not only informative but also highly entertaining.
Arranged alphabetically, these guides are a user-friendly dictionary of perfumes, featuring fragrances from famous designers and brands. Each review is detailed, including a star rating from 1(avoid) to 5(masterpiece), as well as scents such as fruity floral or citrus wood, and often mentions an interesting history or the perfumer’s background. The guide highlights the highest-ranked five-star perfumes, making it easy for readers to discover the authors’ favorites.
For experienced collectors and newcomers to the world of perfumes, these guides are a repository of knowledge for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of perfumes or find new personal fragrances. The guide is a comprehensive reference and a pleasure to read, perfect for exploring multiple sittings.
Perfume Bible
The Perfume Bible by Josephine Fairlie and Lorna Mackay is a comprehensive guide for perfume lovers. It covers perfume families, terminology, and production processes and features beautiful illustrations and interviews with top perfumers. Highlights include the “100 perfumes to Try Before You Die” list, which showcases classic and modern scents.
This 192-page book offers advice on creating a personal perfume collection, selecting a perfume, and maintaining it. It also explores the world’s best perfume shops and leading perfume blogs. This guide is packed with expert insights and was written by beauty expert Fairlie and former Harrods and Liberty perfume buyer Mackay. Suitable for both novices and experts, the “Perfume Bible” is a valuable resource for learning about the art of perfume, making it an ideal gift for perfume lovers.
Perfume book, find a signature scent.
Are you looking for your (next) signature perfume? Do you need to figure out where to start? These books will guide you through the process of finding your next scent.
Perfume mate
The Perfume Companion, co-authored by perfume experts Sarah McCartney and Samantha Scriven, is an indispensable guide for perfume lovers and novices.
This beautifully illustrated book details nearly 500 scents, carefully organized into aroma families such as herbal, citrus, floral, and leather. It simplifies the daunting task of choosing a new signature fragrance, offering a range of options from luxury brands to the high street. The book’s friendly and informative tone, similar to the advice of a knowledgeable friend, makes it accessible to all readers. It includes the fascinating history of classic perfumes, insights into perfume making, and practical tips for applying and understanding scent concentrations.
Each fragrance has a concise description, a quick tagline, and a price guide. For anyone looking to replace a beloved scent or explore a new olfactory territory, Perfume Companion is more than just a catalog but a tour of the art of perfume, making it a valuable addition to any perfume lover’s collection.
Perfume: Find your signature scent
Neil Chapman’s Perfume: Finding Your Signature Scent explores the world of perfume. This scent atlas presents over 700 perfumes, from timeless classics to contemporary hot and innovative concept scents. Chapman classifies these fragrances according to their main notes, giving everyone access to the intricate world of perfumes.
His essays are insightful and witty, providing thoughtful commentary that guides and educates the reader. This book is more than a guide; It is an invitation to a personal perfume journey, encouraging exploring ideas beyond a single signature scent. Chapman’s work is a sensory map that leads enthusiasts through a rich aroma landscape, evoking memories and emotions.
“Perfume” is a valuable resource for both novice and experienced perfume lovers. It celebrates the power of perfume to express identity and style, making it a must-have for anyone passionate about the art of perfumery.
Perfume history book
Perfume has been an essential part of human history for thousands of years. If you’re a history buff, these books are a must-read:
Fragrance and Alchemy: A Natural History of perfumes
Mandy Attell’s Essence and Alchemy: A Natural History of Perfumes is a fascinating exploration of natural perfumes, linking scent to emotion, memory, and spirituality. Aftel, a respected craftsman, goes beyond mere scent creation to offer a rich journey through art, history, and the philosophy of perfumery. The book traces scent’s evolution from the ancient spice trade to alchemy, highlighting the “sense of smell” and the profound impact of scent on our lives and spiritual practices.
In addition to recipes, Attell shares her expertise in creating perfumes that are in harmony with the human spirit, demystifying the art for enthusiasts and professionals alike. This work is a philosophical exploration of the art of natural perfumes, inviting readers to reconnect with nature and its transformative power. It is an essential read for anyone interested in the emotional and spiritual dimensions of smell.
It’s also worth knowing that the book inspired Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) to write the lyrics for the song “Scentless Apprentice.”
Smell and subversion
Barbara Herman’s Scent and Subversion is an energetic journey through the transformative world of 20th-century perfumes. It’s not just a perfume guide but a cultural exploration that challenges social norms and gender traditions. Herman draws on her expertise from her blog, Yesterday Perfumes. Com, showcasing over 300 vintage perfumes, each recounting the social and stylistic revolution of their time. Visually stunning, the book enriches more than 100 vintage perfume ads and complements her charming and witty narrative.
Hermann’s work is a treasure trove for perfume lovers and novices alike. She offers insightful articles on scent appreciation, a glossary of essential terms, and practical tips for exploring vintage and modern perfumes. The book also provides a peek into the future of perfume through interviews with contemporary perfume visionaries. With a blend of humor, historical facts, and helpful advice, Scent and Subversion is not only about smells but also about their decisive role in expressing identity and fomenting cultural change, making it a must-read for anyone fascinated by the art and impact of perfume.
Perfume Biography
The Emperor of Scent: A Story of Perfume, Obsession, and the Final Mysteries of the Senses
The Emperor of Scent by Chandler Burr is a fascinating story about Luca Turin, a scientist known for his extraordinary sense of smell and co-author of Perfume: An A-Z Guide. This book highlights Turin’s evolution from a perfume critic to a pioneering theorist of the perfume industry, blending biography, scientific inquiry, and a rich world of perfumes.
Turin’s talent for recognizing and expressing odors has led him to challenge and potentially redefine our understanding of how the nose works. His controversial theory, which aims to demystify the sense of smell, has been met with praise and skepticism.
Burr’s narrative makes complex scientific concepts accessible, weaving a story about intellectual curiosity, personal drive, and the elusive realm of odors. It explores the competitive nature of scientific breakthroughs and the human desire for understanding. “The Perfume Emperor” is not just a story about unique gifts; It’s about the impact of an idea that appeals to people fascinated by science, the senses, and personal perception.
Diary of a nose – a year in the life of a perfumer
In “Diary of the Nose,” Hermes’ renowned in-house perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena offers an intimate glimpse into the art of perfumery creation. Elena, known as “The Nose,” has blended science with poetry in his mountaintop studio for over a year, creating scents that evoke emotions and memories. His narration, with the precision of a haiku, reveals the unexpected inspirations behind his perfumes-from vibrant market stalls to serene landscapes and elegant calligraphy.
Elena’s minimalist approach, using very few ingredients to evoke complex scents like sugared almonds, demonstrates his mastery in creating olfactory experiences that are both simple and profound. This diary is more than a chronicle of perfumery; This is a journey into the heart of perfume creation, exploring the alchemy of turning abstraction into tangible beauty. The Nose Diary is not only an insight into the life of a perfumer but also a poetic exploration of the transformative power of perfume.
So, if you are looking for a book about perfume makers, this book is for you.
Fiction fan perfume book
Perfume is a powerful and evocative part of our daily lives. It can send us back in time, awaken our senses, and evoke strong emotions. It’s no surprise that perfume has become a recurring theme in literature. Here are the best perfume novels to read:
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
Patrick S. Skine’s Perfume is an excellent historical fantasy novel set in 18th-century France that explores the dark side of obsession and sensory degradation. The book tells the story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, an orphan with an abnormal sense of smell. Grenouille’s talent led him to become an apprentice to a renowned perfumer. However, his obsession evolved into a quest for the “ultimate perfume” – the scent of a young virgin.
sanskind’s rich narrative weaves a story that oscillates between captivating and grotesque, capturing the beauty and squalor of life in Paris. As Grenouille’s quest intensifies, his behavior becomes increasingly gruesome, making “Perfume” a mix of psychological thriller, horror, and fantasy. The novel’s vivid, often offensive imagery challenges and engages, leaving a lasting impression. “Perfume” is a masterful exploration of the depraved nature of extreme human desire and obsession, an unforgettable journey into the dark side of human nature.
Perfume for jitterbug dancing
Tom Robbins’ Jitterbug Perfume is an epic narrative that deftly blends a timeline from ancient Bohemia to modern Paris, Seattle, and New Orleans. This imaginative story revolves around a mysterious blue bottle that may contain the secret nature of the universe and connects a cast of non-aligned actors, including Alobar, a king who is also a farmer; His lover Hindu Kudra; A waitress in Seattle who doesn’t fit in; The successor of the French perfume industry; And the owner of a perfume shop in New Orleans. The whimsical appearance of Pan and the symbolic beet enrich the story. Yeah, like beets in vegetables.
Robbins’ work is characterized by precise detail and humor, deftly exploring themes of immortality, individuality, and the human condition. The novel humorously explores the deep questions of life, contrasting our instincts with the quest for knowledge embodied in the central theme of the perfume. Jitterbug Perfume is a witty, intelligent historical and intellectual journey that celebrates the unusual and examines existential themes. This is a fascinating read for those who enjoy humor and deep philosophical explorations that are woven into an entertaining story.
Scent Keeper: A Novel
“The Scent Keeper: A Novel” by Erica Bauermeister A Novel) tells a compelling coming-of-age story set on a remote island where Emmeline and her father live a sheltered life surrounded by smells and magical machines. As she matures, her curiosity takes her into the real world, full of love, betrayal, and self-discovery. Baumeister’s narrative is rich in sensory imagery, focusing on the power of smell in shaping memory and identity.
A blend of magical and sharp realism, the novel explores Emmeline’s journey of self-discovery and her struggle to connect with others. Acclaimed for its lyrical, immersive storytelling and unique focus on the olfactory world, the book is a testament to Baumeister’s skill at creating vivid, emotional landscapes. While some readers would like to see a more complete ending, The Scent Keeper is recommended for its deep sensory detail and emotional depth, offering a unique perspective on our senses’ impact on our lives.
