There’s another book smell which I noticed in lots of kids books when I was a kid, that totally smelled like vomit. For years I thought it was because kids barfed all the time but it turns out it was the printing chemicals and paper.
I remember exactly the same thing as a kid in certain books. I acutely remember the feel/texture of the paper of those vomit smell books too. So funny.
It's a common additive in baked goods as well! I used to work at a bakery that would pump it through the HVAC to attract customers. People loved it, but all I could smell was vomit after being around it for so long. I rarely eat pastries anymore.
