These Bold Candles From Anecdote and Barnes & Noble Are Inspired by a Love for Reading
As both an avid reader and a candle enthusiast, I was delighted when I heard that Anecdote Candles was teaming up with the beloved book retailer Barnes & Noble for an exclusive collaboration, featuring deliciously scented candles with literary inspirations.
The collection, available only at Barnes & Noble stores and their website, features six candles highlighting classic book tropes and genres, with each memorable scent evoking the theme with just a whiff. The 7 oz. coconut-soy wax candles retail for $26 each, but the team behind the collab was kind enough to send me the whole set for review, and here's what I thought of each one.
Main Character Energy: $26
"Smells like a memoir in the making."
The collection's Main Character Energy candle is like the scent of summer in candle form. It's super clean, bright and floral, with a fragrance somewhere between a tropical paradise and a spring garden bustling with honeysuckle, with notes of cardamom, santal and pink pepper for good measure. It's also wonderfully invigorating, making it just the thing when you need a pick-me-up, whether you're working your office job or writing your autobiography.
(via Barnes & Noble)
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Dark Academia: $26
"Smells like melancholy moods and secret societies."
You'd think it'd be a challenge to channel the essence of Dark Academia into a fragrance, but Anecdote Candle was up to the challenge with this one. It's at once leathery and warm, yet dark and somewhat masculine, bringing to mind old books without smelling quite like them, as well as the sensation of exploring an ancient library that's at once cozy and spooky. There are hints of incense, vanilla, spice and sage throughout, making this just the candle for old souls hunkering down for the night with a great book.
(via Barnes & Noble)
The Anti-Hero: $26
"Smells like good intentions and questionable morals."
Anecdote Candles knew what they were doing when they made this Anti-Hero candle smell like a bold, peppery cologne. It's quite in your face with the spicy notes, mixed with the wild scents of the woods with amber and cedar, reminiscent of a character who seems anything but heroic until you finally see their true colors.
(via Barnes & Noble)
Enemies to Lovers: $26
"Smells like heated fights and steamy nights."
Enemies to Lovers is one of the all-time great tropes in literature, and this candle wonderfully contrasts gentle vanilla orchid and jasmine with the musk of spice and oakmoss to great effect. At first, these fragrances seem to conflict with each other before melding seamlessly, combining feminine and masculine notes to evoke romance and unity.
(via Barnes & Noble)
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Plot Twist: $26
"Smells like chills and thrills."
With its combination of sea minerals and water lily, I can't help but think of bodies of water when burning this Plot Twist candle.The notes of apple, amber and wood, make it evocative of a tale told on a ship, giving off a crisp, cool impression.
(via Barnes & Noble)
Book Club Banter: $26
"Smells like lively discussions and endless wine."
Last, but certainly not least, is the Book Cluib Banter candle, which may be the coziest and most soothing scent of the bunch. It makes me think of winter, thanks to its combination of the scents of rich berries, vanilla and pine. It feels like huddling up and sharing time with loved ones, which sounds like a book club I dearly want to join.
(via Barnes & Noble)
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