I love perfume, and I also love reading. Reading perfume-related books is one of my favourite ways to while away a few hours on a lazy afternoon. There’s not a huge array of books out there dedicated to perfume-related pursuits, but in today’s blog post I’ll take you through a few of my favourite fragrant reads.
Perfumes the Guide: Release Date 2008
The original Guide featuring starred reviews of fragrances from the beginning of time to 2008. Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez unleash their witty reviews filled with fragrant knowledge and pop culture references. The 1-star reviews are particularly entertaining. I’ve often sought out samples of the 1-star perfumes just to see if they’re as bad as what the authors think. Some are, and some aren’t, after all taste is subjective and personal. However, if you’re easily offended by critical analysis of your favourite fragrance perhaps steer clear of this book.
Perfumes the Guide: Release Date 2018
Turin and Sanchez returned after a decade long absence in 2018 to review fragrances released between 2008-2018. More of the same insightful reviews and fragrant facts to consume. More hilarious 1-star putdowns. The essay chapters at the beginning of the book are an interesting read. Sanchez looks at how the fragrance industry has evolved between 2008-2018 and Turin looks at the shifting shape of fragrance between 1918 and 2018.
Perfume: In Search of your Signature Scent: Release Date 2019
Neil Chapman from the blog The Black Narcissus compiles a list of over 700 fragrances, clearly divided by note and into categories such as citrus, gourmand and incense. It is an excellent reference book that provides the reader with reviews of Chapman’s favourite perfumes. The introductory essay chapters are a fascinating insight into how Chapman developed his perfume obsession, and some perfume 101 basics, such as how to choose a perfume. Highly recommended.
Perfume: A Century of Scents: Release Date 2015
Lizzie Ostrom’s takes us through a century of iconic scents from the 1900s through the 1990’s. 100 perfumes, 10 from each decade, are detailed and recalled in what is an engaging read. The individual stories / ad campaigns behind each of these classic fragrances are detailed. Some of the fragrances featured are Chanel No. 5, Brut and CK One. The only downside is I now want many of these scents, some of which are now discontinued.
The Perfume Bible: Release Date 2014
Beauty experts Josephine Fairley and Lorna McKay take us through some perfume basics such as how to shop for fragrances, how perfume can evoke memories from the past, and a brief history of perfume through time. Lavish photographs and illustrations abound. Another highlight is the interview with Thierry Wasser. There’s also a very interesting “Top 100 perfumes to try before you die” section that provides everyone from newbies to perfume addicts with suggestions on some essential perfumes to seek out.
A Scented World: The Magic of Fragrances: Claire Bingham: Release Date 2018
Claire Bingham takes us inside the inner sanctum of haute parfumerie to meet the people, places and icons. Some highlights include articles on Jean-Claude Ellena, Roja Dove, Guerlain, Cire Trudon and perfumes such as Chanel No.5 and Fracas by Robert Piguet. Written in 3 languages, with beautiful accompanying photography.
Perfume: The Alchemy of Scent: Jean-Claude Ellena: Release Date 2007
An in-depth look into the world of Jean-Claude Ellena, detailing how he chooses his material, and basically how he composes a perfume. Taking us right into the creative process and giving the reader a sense of how the perfume industry works.
The Secret of Scent: Adventures in Perfume and the Science of Smell: Luca Turin: Release Date 2006
Essentially a scientific book from biophysicist Luca Turin. It’s an engaging read for science buffs that details how we perceive smell, and how the brain interprets molecules as smells. The pages are filled with plenty of interesting anecdotes and insights from Turin.
Scented: Laurence Fearnley: Release Date 2019
Fictional novel from New Zealand author Laurence Fearnley about one’s search for identity and place explored through scent and the sense of smell.
The Perfume Lover: Denyse Beaulieu: Release Date 2012
Partly Autobiographical, The Perfume Lover tells the tale of Denyse Beaulieu’s creative collaboration with Bertrand Duchaufour. The author recounts to Duchaufour a magical, romantic night she spent with a man, under an orange tree, in Seville during Holy Week, thus inspiring the master perfumer to capture the smells, images and emotions of those short few hours in a fragrance, Séville à l’aube. In the book, Beaulieu also documents the creative process behind Séville à l’aube and her journey from muse to creative partner.
Also, well worth checking out are Michael Edwards Perfume Legends books, and his perfume directory Fragrances Of The World. Chandler Burr’s The Perfect Scent which takes us inside the perfume industry in New York and London is a fascinating read. Burr’s Emperor of Scent tells the story of Luca Turin.
So, there you have it, some of my favourite perfume reads. Have you read any of these? What are some of your favourites?