How to Make Your Own Bookish Candles That Smell Like Your Favorite Stories

I haven’t made my first candle yet, but I’ve been learning so much (probably way too much, if we’re being honest) about the process. 

I’ve read countless guides, watched videos, compared notes from candle makers, and made about a hundred Pinterest boards full of scent ideas and jar styles. 

This one is one of my favorite YouTube videos of all time about how to make candles and I advise you watch it before you read this article. 

The plan is to finally start making them soon, but in the meantime, I’ve gathered all my best advice to help you if you’re also a book lover who’s thinking about making a candle.

1. Choose the Perfect Book Mood Before Anything Else

One thing I quickly learned: making a candle is not just about picking a random scent and melting wax.

If you want it to be bookish, you have to think about the vibe you want before you even touch the wax.

When I picture making a candle for myself, I start with the feeling I want it to create while I’m reading. 

Do I want to feel like I’m curled up in an old library with dusty books and rain tapping on the window? 

Or do I want the warm sweetness of a summer romance, with hints of vanilla and garden blooms?

A few ways I think about it:

1. Genre inspiration: A moody thriller could be earthy and smoky; a fantasy could be herbal and mysterious; a romance could be floral and warm.

2. Specific scenes: If I imagine a scene in my favorite book where the characters are sitting by a fireplace, that’s my cue for cinnamon, cedarwood, and maybe a touch of clove.

3. Seasonal reading: In winter, I’m all about spicy scents. In spring, I lean toward fresh and floral.

If you skip this mood-setting step, you risk ending up with a candle that smells nice but feels disconnected from the reading experience you want. 

I treat it like the premise of my candle – everything else builds from there.

2. Pick Your Wax Like You’re Picking a Favorite Book Format

Wax is like the paper a book is printed on. It sets the tone for the whole experience. 

I didn’t realize how many options there were until I started researching, and honestly, it can be overwhelming. Here’s what I learned:

1. Soy wax: My top choice so far. It’s eco-friendly, burns cleanly, and holds scent well. Plus, it has a smooth finish that looks gorgeous.

2. Beeswax: Natural and long-burning, with a light honey scent. The downside is it can overpower delicate fragrance blends, but for certain cozy vibes, it’s perfect.

3. Coconut wax: Very creamy, holds fragrance beautifully, but more expensive. I’ve been eyeing it for a luxury-style candle.

4. Paraffin wax: Cheaper and has a strong scent throw, but not as eco-friendly.

Right now, I’m leaning toward soy or a soy-coconut blend for my first batch.

I want something clean-burning but still capable of making my room smell like a bookshop in five minutes.

3. Find Scent Combinations That Tell a Story

This is my favorite part and honestly, it’s where a bookish candle can become truly magical.

In perfumery (and candle making), scents are layered into top, middle, and base notes:

1. Top notes: What you smell first (fresh, light scents like citrus or herbs).

2. Middle notes: The heart of the scent (floral, fruity, or spicy tones).

3. Base notes: The long-lasting foundation (woods, musks, vanillas).

If I think about this like a novel: the top note is the hook, the middle note is the main storyline, and the base note is the lingering feeling when you close the book.

Some of my current ideas:

1. Old Library: Leather (base), cedarwood (middle), bergamot (top).

2. Rainy Pages: Petrichor (base), lavender (middle), fresh rain accord (top).

3. Enchanted Forest: Pine (base), jasmine (middle), green apple (top).

When I start experimenting, I plan to order small amounts of fragrance oils first.

That way I can mix them in tiny test batches instead of wasting a whole jar of wax if something doesn’t work.

4. Get the Wick Right

Wicks might not be top of mind, but if they’re wrong, they ruin everything.

From what I’ve learned, wick size and type are critical:

1. Too small? The candle tunnels, burning down the middle and wasting wax.

2. Too big? It burns too hot, creating soot and shortening the candle’s life.

The wick material also matters. 

Cotton wicks give a soft, steady flame, while wood wicks crackle like a fireplace (which sounds amazing for a winter reading candle).

My plan is to order a wick sample kit for the type of wax I choose and test each one in the jar I’ll use. 

Apparently, this is the only way to know what works for your specific wax–jar–fragrance combo.

5. Pour with Patience

This is the step I was most nervous about when I started learning, but it’s all about being methodical. 

Here’s the process I’m planning to follow:

You’ll need:

1. Wax of choice
2. Fragrance oil(s)
3. Wick and wick holder
4. Pouring pitcher
5. Double boiler (or a heatproof bowl over a pot)
6. Thermometer
7. Candle jars or containers

Steps:

1. Prepare the jar: Attach the wick to the center using a wick sticker or a dab of hot glue. Keep it upright with a wick holder or chopstick.

2. Melt the wax: Use a double boiler to slowly melt it. Never put wax directly on heat – it can burn.

3. Check the temperature: Most fragrance oils mix best between 175°F–185°F (check your wax supplier’s instructions).

4. Add fragrance oil: Stir gently for at least 2 minutes to ensure even distribution.

5. Cool slightly before pouring: Pouring too hot can cause sinkholes or uneven tops. Around 135°F–145°F is ideal for many waxes.

6. Pour into container: Leave a little room at the top.

7. Let cure: Soy candles often need 1–2 weeks for the scent to fully develop.

6. Design the Bookish Aesthetic

This is where your candle gets its cover art. 

I’ve been obsessing over label ideas because I want mine to feel like tiny treasures you’d keep on a bookshelf.

Some ideas I’ve been playing with:

1. Labels that look like vintage library cards.

2. Minimalist black-and-white designs with typewriter fonts.

3. Color palettes that match the book genre (deep greens for fantasy, soft pinks for romance).

4. Container choices matter too. I love the idea of repurposing:

5. Old teacups from thrift stores for a cottagecore vibe.

6. Mason jars for a rustic feel.

7. Amber glass jars for a moody, vintage touch.

One thing I’ve learned is that your candle’s look is part of the experience. 

Even if you’re making it for yourself, a pretty label and nice jar make it feel more special when you light it before reading.

7. Test and Tweak 

I’ve seen so many candle makers say the same thing: test burns are everything.

A test burn helps you figure out:

1. Does the wick size work?
2. Is the scent throw strong enough?
3. Does the wax melt evenly?
4. Is the burn time long enough?

I plan to keep a little notebook – my candle diary – to record each test’s results. 

If a scent feels too weak, I’ll adjust the fragrance load. If the wax tunnels, I’ll try a bigger wick.

When I finally make my first batch, I want them to be the kind of candles that make me want to stay up late reading, with the scent wrapping around me like a blanket. 

So if you’re thinking about making your own, start small, experiment, and don’t be afraid to make bad candles at first. 

Every one teaches you something. And when you light that first one that’s exactly right? Trust me, it’s going to feel as satisfying as finishing a great book.