You’ve heard of wine pairings. Maybe even snack pairings. But today? We’re getting weirdly cozy with book + candle pairings—because nothing enhances a reading session like the perfect scent flickering beside you.
Whether you’re diving into gothic mystery or sweet small-town romance, there’s a candle to match the mood. Let’s light ‘em up 🔥
🕯 If You’re Reading a Dark Academia Novel…
Vibe: Dusty libraries, stormy windows, secrets in Latin
Candle Match: Antique Leather & Black Tea
The scent of cracked spines and whispered betrayals. Bonus if it smells faintly like forbidden ambition.
📖 Try it with: If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio or The Secret History by Donna Tartt
🕯 If You’re Reading a Cozy Fantasy…
Vibe: Found family, baked goods, and warm magic
Candle Match: Honey Scone & Vanilla Bean
Smells like comfort and fresh starts. The kind of scent that makes you sigh before you even open the book.
📖 Try it with: That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming or A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
🕯 If You’re Reading a Slow-Burn Romance…
Vibe: Lingering glances, soft tension, emotional damage healing itself
Candle Match: Amber Rose & Smoked Cedar
This one’s warm, a little sexy, and slightly mysterious—like leaning too close when you swear you’re just friends.
📖 Try it with: Before We Were Strangers by Renée Carlino or Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
🕯 If You’re Reading a Gripping Thriller…
Vibe: Cold clues, hot secrets, and an ending that knocks you flat
Candle Match: Ozone & Blackcurrant Noir
Sharp, clean, and a little disorienting. The kind of scent that smells like a knife’s edge and too much coffee.
📖 Try it with: After That Night by Karin Slaughter or The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
🕯 If You’re Reading a Lush Fantasy Epic…
Vibe: Sweeping landscapes, ancient magic, heartbreak with purpose
Candle Match: Sandalwood & Fig with a hint of Smoke
Earthy and a little otherworldly—this scent makes you want to go on a quest (or cry under a tree, your choice).
📖 Try it with: The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon or An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
🔥 Reader Challenge:
What book are you reading right now—and what candle would match its mood?
Drop your book + scent pairings in the comments or tag me on Instagram @literarygluttony. Bonus points if your candle’s name sounds like a villain or a Victorian love interest.
See you next Wednesday for more wild, weird, and bookish delights. Until then—stay cozy, stay chaotic, and keep reading with reckless abandon.
literary gluttony 
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