Every day I’m coming across Grady Hendrix’s Paperbacks From Hell, whether it’s on Goodreads or Twitter or here on WordPress. I don’t actually own it at the moment, but I will be getting it soon. Very soon. (Update: I now own it. And LOVE it!)
I absolutely love the horror genre, particularly stuff from the late 70’s and early 80’s, and seeing so many posts about vintage horror books had me causing utter chaos amongst my bookshelves.
The disarray was well worth it though, because this is what I wanted to share:
Isn’t it just a sight to behold?
As you’ve probably noticed, it’s ALL by James Herbert. (Apart from the ones ABOUT Mr Herbert!) And what I noticed when I was organising the books is that my Magic Cottage is missing! (Not my REAL magic cottage, you understand, just the book. To misplace my real magic cottage would be very careless. And impossible, as I don’t have one.) I’ve loaned it to somebody and I can’t remember who. I’m mortified, so I’ll have to replace it, but I want the same edition as before, naturally. Anyway, now I’ve come to terms with the fact I’ve lost track of one of my FAVOURITE books and have mopped up my tears, lets discuss the smell.
If only I had a scratch and sniff option on my blog! (Although if I saw someone scratching my beloveds, I wouldn’t be best pleased, so I guess it’s a blessing really.) Some of these beauties have been sat on my bookshelves for over 30 years. They’re yellowing and dotted with mould. Some pages are falling out, the spines are ripped, but they’re loved. They have that smell that I struggle to describe, nothing I can think of can compare. It’s not a ‘oooh let’s get a Glade Plug-in like that’ smell, it’s more of a WONDERFULLY GRUBBY AROMA that oozes the stench of my first horror adventures.
Oh how I love you my fabulous fousty friends!
So, from fousty friends, to bookish friends. Fancy sharing some smelly old reads that are close to your heart and catnip for your nose? I’d love to see more photos, especially if any are by (IMO) The Master of Macabre himself.
In memory of James Herbert OBE 1943 – 2013.
I’ll finish on a lighter note, James’ dad was called Herbert. Yep, he was Mr Herbert Herbert, what crazy parents he must of had! Or just lazy!😂
OwlBeSatReading 
When I used to pick up books from charity stores, I would sometimes sniff them before I even flipped through the pages. You never know what olfactory treasures await from the rich history of a book.
Sniff first – I use the same process on girls. Pheromones, you see.
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Lol! Ok….I’ll stick to just sniffing books, and the enormous bunches of flowers I receive regularly (living in hopes there!😂) 💐💐💐
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I’ve got some of the same editions! Moon, The Ghosts Of Sleath, Crickley Hall – love me a bit of Herbert! Sorry to hear about your Magic Cottage though ☹️
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A Magic Cottage mission cometh….(aka rummaging in charity shops until I find one!😂)
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