You should ask a doctor to check if you're allergic to something in the way the books are made, there'll be a reason you're having this level of physical reaction.

by Anonymous 4 hours ago

So paper for books is typically made with lignin. The distinctive vanilla scent of old books is caused by the breakdown of lignin, a component of paper, into vanillin. This chemical reaction releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including vanillin, which is chemically similar to the vanilla we find in food. This is why old books have a particular smell. They may be allergic to either lignin or vanillin.

by Eulah21 4 hours ago

Very cool, thanks for sharing this fact!

by Anonymous 3 hours ago

No problem. Decades ago, I was curious about why libraries and old book shops smelled the way they do. Did some research, and that is the answer I found. Now I just copy and paste that same answer from Google when I deem it's appropriate. I'm glad it was an interesting factoid.

by Eulah21 3 hours ago

Books should not be stinging your nose. Please go to the doctor to get stuff checked out. You may be allergic to something

by Apurdy 3 hours ago

it sounds like you're allergic to something....

by Anonymous 3 hours ago

Personally the smell of a fresh book attracts me. You should probably go to the doctor, because books should not be stinging your nose.

by keven96 3 hours ago

It may be the smell of the soy ink which is extremely toxic and has been in use for several years know. You are dealing with the same thing using printers and copy machines.

by Anonymous 3 hours ago