Good Candles Reading Books Candle
Last updated: 24 March 2025
The Reading Books candle is a soy wax scented candle from Good Candles, a small candle maker in Kent. It is meant to smell like a morning in a city café lined with books: old pages, strong espresso, a croissant and a newspaper. Good Candles gives 10% of each sale to improving child literacy. It costs £35 in a white glass with an illustrated gift box.
What the Reading Books candle is
The scent brief sets a scene. You are on a city break in Paris, Barcelona, Madrid or Berlin, sitting alone on a café terrace at about 11am. There is a double espresso, a small biscuit, a glass of sparkling water with lemon, and shelves of books on the wall.
So the candle mixes old books and concrete with coffee, a croissant, a newspaper and a hint of cigarette smoke. Good Candles describes it, with a wink, as a bit hipster.
Where the money goes
Good Candles donates 10% of each Reading Books sale to improving child literacy, and it names the National Literacy Trust on the product page. The founder, Olly, has said he found reading hard at school and wished he had had help earlier.
Across its range, Good Candles gives part of every sale to good causes and posts its monthly donations in its Instagram story highlights.
Key facts
- Maker: Good Candles, Kent
- Scent: old books, espresso, a croissant, a newspaper, concrete and a hint of cigarette smoke
- Wax: soy
- Vessel: white glass
- Packaging: illustrated gift box
- Giving: 10% of each sale to child literacy
- Price: £35
Who the Reading Books candle suits
It suits readers, and anyone who misses holidays spent in cafés. Because the box is illustrated, it is ready to give as it is.
It also pairs well with a book as a present. For ideas, see our gifts for bookworms guide.
The limits
Good Candles does not publish a burn time or the candle's weight, so it is hard to compare it on value with bigger brands.
The cigarette and coffee notes will not suit everyone. If you prefer something fresh, the same maker's Fred's Garden candle smells of a British garden.
At £35, it also costs more than most supermarket candles, though part of the price goes to literacy work.
Where to buy it in the UK
Good Candles sells Reading Books direct from its own shop, and the candle is made in Kent.
See Reading Books at Good Candles
FAQs
How much is the Reading Books candle?
£35 from Good Candles.
What does the Reading Books candle smell like?
Old books, espresso, a croissant, a newspaper and concrete, with a hint of cigarette smoke, like a city café at 11am.
Which cause does it support?
Child literacy. Good Candles gives 10% of each sale and names the National Literacy Trust.
Is it made from soy wax?
Yes. Good Candles makes it from soy wax in Kent.
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Prices last checked on 24 March 2025.
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