Fragrance house

Smells Like Books

Smells Like Books began in 2001, when Lisa Smith started pouring book-scented candles in Eclectica, a small bookstore. A former high-school science teacher who retired after vision loss, Smith drew on her education in biology and chemistry and her love of books to create the business. From those bookstore-era beginnings, the brand developed into a studio making hand-blended candles and perfumes inspired by fictional worlds, stories, and characters. Its creative identity translates literary settings, characters, and reading memories into scent, with inspirations including Wuthering Heights, Sherlock Holmes, and The Lord of the Rings. Publicly identified as a small family business, Smells Like Books lists Lisa Smith as maker and owner and Alexus Hope Smith as studio manager. Its current offering includes book-inspired candles and fine fragrances for readers. The brand is especially defined by this literary fragrance family rather than a single documented signature perfume; Sassenach is one example, inspired by Outlander.