The trouble with e-books

... is that they don't have the unique book smell that lets you know you are reading high-class literature. Well, in answer to our gadget-loving prayers, the folks at DuroSport Electronics have developed a product called Smell of Books (TM).



The spray comes in five designer colors: New Book Smell, Classic Musty Smell, Scent of Sensibility, Eau You Have Cats, and Crunchy Bacon Smell. Crunchy Bacon is suggested as "a low calorie, low cholesterol alternative for your breakfast reading enjoyment." We are warned that Scent of Sensibility is designed for use with women’s fiction and romance ebooks, and should not be used with non-fiction, James Bond novels, or the works of Hunter S. Thompson.

Smell of Books (TM) is compatible with a wide variety of e-book formats and devices (specifically excepting the Zune). Unfortunately, the product was recalled last April due to a mixup on labels with cans of new car smell. Not only that, an organization called the "Author's Guild" is claiming that the product threatens aroma rights and "substantially changes the underlying work to a degree that infringes upon the author's copyright, not to mention artistic vision." Better get 'em while you can!