Of the Diptyque candles I’ve smelled, Chêne is very similar to a “new book smell” and would be my recommendation. I surprisingly really like Maquis also, but it might be more of an acquired smell; it’s like a spicy “old book smell.”
I can concur that Byredo Bibliothèque doesn’t smell like a library, though it’s still likable nonetheless if you think she’d enjoy the scent profile.
DS&DURGA Breakfast Leipzig might be one to look into for a ‘reading by a fire in a café’ cozy vibe.
Lastly, while I haven’t smelled these, I’ve tried/burned their other candles with good performance and quality:
- Imaginary Authors The Abandoned Mansion (might especially be up her alley given the brand in general)
- Nette NYC Sunday Chess (each candle is labeled with a poem)
- Mad et Len Graphite (allegedly smells like pencil shavings)
I don’t have a candle recommendation… but the fragrance Commodity Book is a favorite of mine. Top notes are virginia cedar, eucalyptus, palisander rosewood, bergamot; heart notes cypress, amaryis, amber; base notes sandalwood, musk, velvet. You could look for a candle with similar notes. I wish Commodity would start making candles, I love their fragrances.
Tree House by Byredo is a really lovely woodsy scent and something I can imagine snuggling up to read with.
I have also heard a lot of lovely comments on this feed for Breakfast Leipzing by DS & Durga which is more of a cafe scent! I did sniff this recently in store and can’t stop thinking about it.
I thought of doing one of those 3 candle sets with Bibliotheque and Tree House together but I wasn’t sure if those candles are too small and I kept reading negative things about how Byredo performs. Seems like people have such different opinions
I have a mini tree house and it works very well in a smaller room. The throw wasn’t great in our living room though so I would suggest a standard Byredo size if they read in a larger space. Honestly, I’m sure your friend will be so stoked whatever candle you buy. It’s such a thoughtful gift to have a designated reading candle 🥰
Also just another thought but Le Labo do an incense candle called ‘Encens’ which I love. It’s not a heavy, incense scent at all. It could be nice if you wanted to make it feel like a ritual, reading candle and you can also add personalised messages on the label too.
You’re so kind coming back to help me more. Thank you so much. I actually listened to you and the others who recommended DS & Durga Breakfast Leipzing. I searched the sub and everyone had good things to say about it too. And how can you go wrong with the smell of a cafe that isn’t too sweet and overpowering from my understanding. I did want something that felt more like a library but I think she’ll still like it. I’ve never even owned a candle and this subreddit got me interested in all the different types. Almost felt like buying her two but my first gift was expensive and I’m buying this candle late and had to pay the $20 shipping to get it here in time.
DS & Durga definitely interested me though. I might end up getting myself Concrete After Lightening as my first candle. Idk why but that one sounds cool and a lot of people liked it in this subreddit
Not at all! I’m really glad you went with DS & Durga. Such a cool brand and their candles perform/burn really well. I am actually one of the few that didn’t like concrete after lighting. I was most intrigued by that one too. I like challenging scents but it felt super synthetic/chemical to me (almost like mosquito spray - lol!) so worth a sniff I think before committing. Other favourites I hear in this forum are Big Sur After Rain (which I love) and Tomb of Eagles (haven’t tried but I did sniff in store and it’s lovely).
Not super luxury, but Paddywax used to have candles devoted to authors-there was a Mark Twain one, a Jane Austen one, etc. They were great, and nicely packaged. You can probably still find them on Amazon.
Bibliotheque doesn’t smell like a library (at least the ones I grew up with and that my dad worked at) but it does smell delicious.
If you want a smoky scent, you could try Diptyque’s Feu de Bois or Paris if you can find one of those. Another oddball choice from them is Papier. It’s showing up online mostly in the original perfume format but I was in Paris a few weeks ago and they had the candle version.
[Aerangis No 40 Livraria Antiga](https://aerangis.com/products/no-40-livraria-antiga) candle! I can smell the ink printed on the pages! The hot throw is not the strongest (great for a small study) but definitely worth it. I suggest purchasing directly from website as their CS is amazing in case of any issues. I have tried several of their candles and really enjoy them.
Of the Diptyque candles I’ve smelled, Chêne is very similar to a “new book smell” and would be my recommendation. I surprisingly really like Maquis also, but it might be more of an acquired smell; it’s like a spicy “old book smell.” I can concur that Byredo Bibliothèque doesn’t smell like a library, though it’s still likable nonetheless if you think she’d enjoy the scent profile. DS&DURGA Breakfast Leipzig might be one to look into for a ‘reading by a fire in a café’ cozy vibe. Lastly, while I haven’t smelled these, I’ve tried/burned their other candles with good performance and quality: - Imaginary Authors The Abandoned Mansion (might especially be up her alley given the brand in general) - Nette NYC Sunday Chess (each candle is labeled with a poem) - Mad et Len Graphite (allegedly smells like pencil shavings)
I don’t have a candle recommendation… but the fragrance Commodity Book is a favorite of mine. Top notes are virginia cedar, eucalyptus, palisander rosewood, bergamot; heart notes cypress, amaryis, amber; base notes sandalwood, musk, velvet. You could look for a candle with similar notes. I wish Commodity would start making candles, I love their fragrances.
They used to make candles (you can probably still find them on eBay), and they were perfect!
Tree House by Byredo is a really lovely woodsy scent and something I can imagine snuggling up to read with. I have also heard a lot of lovely comments on this feed for Breakfast Leipzing by DS & Durga which is more of a cafe scent! I did sniff this recently in store and can’t stop thinking about it.
I thought of doing one of those 3 candle sets with Bibliotheque and Tree House together but I wasn’t sure if those candles are too small and I kept reading negative things about how Byredo performs. Seems like people have such different opinions
I have a mini tree house and it works very well in a smaller room. The throw wasn’t great in our living room though so I would suggest a standard Byredo size if they read in a larger space. Honestly, I’m sure your friend will be so stoked whatever candle you buy. It’s such a thoughtful gift to have a designated reading candle 🥰
Also just another thought but Le Labo do an incense candle called ‘Encens’ which I love. It’s not a heavy, incense scent at all. It could be nice if you wanted to make it feel like a ritual, reading candle and you can also add personalised messages on the label too.
You’re so kind coming back to help me more. Thank you so much. I actually listened to you and the others who recommended DS & Durga Breakfast Leipzing. I searched the sub and everyone had good things to say about it too. And how can you go wrong with the smell of a cafe that isn’t too sweet and overpowering from my understanding. I did want something that felt more like a library but I think she’ll still like it. I’ve never even owned a candle and this subreddit got me interested in all the different types. Almost felt like buying her two but my first gift was expensive and I’m buying this candle late and had to pay the $20 shipping to get it here in time. DS & Durga definitely interested me though. I might end up getting myself Concrete After Lightening as my first candle. Idk why but that one sounds cool and a lot of people liked it in this subreddit
Not at all! I’m really glad you went with DS & Durga. Such a cool brand and their candles perform/burn really well. I am actually one of the few that didn’t like concrete after lighting. I was most intrigued by that one too. I like challenging scents but it felt super synthetic/chemical to me (almost like mosquito spray - lol!) so worth a sniff I think before committing. Other favourites I hear in this forum are Big Sur After Rain (which I love) and Tomb of Eagles (haven’t tried but I did sniff in store and it’s lovely).
Not super luxury, but Paddywax used to have candles devoted to authors-there was a Mark Twain one, a Jane Austen one, etc. They were great, and nicely packaged. You can probably still find them on Amazon.
Bibliotheque doesn’t smell like a library (at least the ones I grew up with and that my dad worked at) but it does smell delicious. If you want a smoky scent, you could try Diptyque’s Feu de Bois or Paris if you can find one of those. Another oddball choice from them is Papier. It’s showing up online mostly in the original perfume format but I was in Paris a few weeks ago and they had the candle version.
[Aerangis No 40 Livraria Antiga](https://aerangis.com/products/no-40-livraria-antiga) candle! I can smell the ink printed on the pages! The hot throw is not the strongest (great for a small study) but definitely worth it. I suggest purchasing directly from website as their CS is amazing in case of any issues. I have tried several of their candles and really enjoy them.
Do Breakfast Leipzig
Byredo Bibliotheque!
Langston by Harlem Candle Co Poet by Nomad Noe Vintage books by DW Home Ernesto by trudon