Spices

"They're like spices."

"What are?"

"The books."

"Books?"

"You walk in here and take a deep breath, and the perfume of the worlds unknown, half-named greet you like spices in a spice shop."

"What does that one smell like?"

"That one. Let me see it. Ah. That one smells of roughbark with a dash of cayenne pepper. This is a book for adults. A heady mixture of romantic language, epic adventures, and enthralling characters. This is a book you'd read a sip at a time, letting the flavors seep into you slowly."

"And this one?"

"Hm. This one is beautiful. A little sage with the smallest hint of cinnamon. Relaxing, a lavender story that is smooth and silky. With a touch of refreshing character to it. An easy read. Warm."

"This is probably the newest book here, what of this one?"

"That one? Let me see. Mmmm....pepper. Spicy. Must be the new ink. This one is exhilarating. Like a dab of wasabi with your red and black pepper blend. This story is new, told in a way that it never has been before. A bit risky in its flavor, but completely exciting."

"This one doesn't have a smell."

"They all have a smell, you just have to breath it in."

"Ah. This one is much more subtle than the rest. Here, flip it like this. Do you smell it? honey and lemon. Simple, but sweet, the lemon here isn't tart. This is like a cough drop, not candy. Something to sooth the soul, not treat it. Oh, and there is a touch of ginger in it! Livens things up a bit, but the purpose remains the same. This is a book for rainy days, sick days, and a day in isolation."

"This one is explosive. It's much older than the others and requires a bit more care in the handling of it. Mmm...let's see. Rosemary. And....safflower. With an enormous amount of wintergreen. Wouldn't eat it, but the smell is heavenly when savored a little at a time. This book was controversial. It probably holds a title that remains to this day part of a coined phrase, or perhaps a comedic reference. But it is hearty. Fulfilling."

"You do know this is a library, right?"

"Oh, no. No. No. No. Not a library at all. It's a kitchen. Full of ingredients just waiting for the right dish, the right mind to come along and try them all out. You never know what combination you can make. Until you try that is. Come, sample the thyme, sassafras, mahleb. A library. Hmph. These are the spices of life."