http://www.oregonlive.com/books/index.ssf/2010/12/it_was_the_best_of_smells_it_w.htmlBefore settling in with a book, serious readers (like us) take proper lighting and ergonomics into consideration. My reading plans also include striking a match to light my book's corresponding "author-scented candle."
Yes, author-scented candles are real. According to their maker, a writer's signature fragrance can enhance a book's literary stylings. For example, the "Charles Dickens" candle emits the fragrances of "Tangerine, juniper and clove." Fair enough, although this doesn't quite mesh with the odors I associate with Dickens: pipe tobacco, thin gruel and spiced punch.
I should point out that the best-selling non-author scented candle is vanilla. This led me to wonder: Did I know any authors who believed they had signature scents? And if so, would any of them include vanilla? (Sellouts!)
It turned out that many writers did have ideas for their hypothetical candles. Walter Kirn suggested "Cinnamontobaccoandlisterine" for himself. Cheryl Strayed's candle contained "Tangerine and fig with a touch of pine," while Dale Basye opted for the memorable "Gold, frankincense and meerkats."
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To expand this product line, a generic Writers at Work candle series might be of interest. The first could be the Brainstorm Candle: "Honeysuckle, lattes and waffles." The logical endpoint for the series would be the Deadline Candle: "Flop sweat, espresso and vinyl."
For yet more customer choices, let's not neglect prominent authors who deserve their own scented tapers:
O. Henry: If I tell you what this candle smells like, it would spoil the surprise.
Dr. Seuss: Eggs (green), ham (ditto), fish (multicolored).
Herman Melville: Brine, blubber, odour de scrivener.
John Steinbeck: Grapes (wrathful), sardines (canned), tortillas (flat).
much more at link. very amusing.