Reading by candlelight is like wine and cheese. Novels are great on their own, and they’re even better with old-fashioned mood lighting.
What’s even better? Pairing literature with book-themed candles from Literie! Reading by candlelight never smelled so good. Their book-themed candles go well with any novel, but feel free to start with our recommended pairs.
Late Fees at the Library ($45) — Paper + Linen Scents
Reading at the library can be zen, but it’s not always practical. Your local library may not be open when you feel like reading, and it’s unlikely that they’ll let you light a candle. If you’re unlucky, you’ll have to deal with creeps hovering around.
Literie’s Late Fees at the Library candle brings that light library fragrance into the privacy and safety of your home. If $45 feels like too much money to burn at the moment, opt for the $20 little version. Either way, your reading experience will be upgraded.
Novels to Pair With This Candle
Our library-related picks may be a bit obvious, but they’re popular for a reason.
‘The Midnight Library’ by Matt Haig
After Nora attempts suicide, she wakes up in the Midnight Library, a magical place where every book is a life Nora could have lived. Despite the depressing inciting event, the novel is ultimately an uplifting, moving story.
Editorial Note: Read our full review of “The Midnight Library.”
‘The Library Mule of Cordoba’ by Wilfrid Lupano
Recently translated from French to English, this lesser-known illustrated novel tells the story of a 10th-century eunuch librarian and his mule attempting to save precious literature from tyrannical government-mandated book burning. As someone who has traveled to Cordoba, I recommend this title for anyone interested in Spanish and Islamic history.
Burn Book ($45) — Smoke and Clovebud Scents
When you have your book club besties over late at night, there’s a small chance you’ll actually read something. Light Literie’s book-themed “Mean Girls” candle, and take some gossip breaks between chapters. Don’t spill too much tea, or you’ll put it out.
Novels to Pair With This Candle
Yes, we know “The Burn Book” from “Mean Girls” isn’t exactly literature. Nonetheless, we can all agree that the original 2000s film is peak storytelling about the consequences of inauthenticity and bullying in high school. These novels share that theme, so they should pair perfectly while reading by candlelight.
We cover these titles in more depth in our article about best YA books, so we’ll just list them for here:
Literie x Literary Fiction
We’re proud to partner with Literie because it’s rare to find non-book brands that appreciate literature and are made in the USA with all natural, non-toxic ingredients. Look forward to more collabs! Please use the comments section to recommend books you’ve enjoyed reading by candlelight.
Get recommendations on hidden gems from emerging authors, as well as lesser-known titles from literary legends.
