Antiquarian Sticker Book Novels & Stories

I just needed to finish the West Library and get back to the nursery to check on the kids, but Julian was hovering. Julian Sterling, the family’s resident genius, was perched on a rolling ladder, humming a tuneless melody that set my teeth on edge. "Antonella, dear," he called out, his voice smooth as silk. "Could you come over here for a moment? I’m trying to organize these first editions of 18th-century botany, and I’m afraid the ledger is tucked right behind the base of this unit." "Of course, Señor Julian," I rasped, dragging my feet across the Persian rug. "My old eyes are not what they were, but I will look."

I stared at the book cover and saw something weird. On the top left side of the cover of the book, was a sticker of something blue... Once I recognized it my eyes widened. It was a...smurf sticker? I double-checked and saw I was right. The smurf sticker was staring back at me, a big smile on his face. He was jumping, happy. I got the other series to check if there were other stickers also. Alas, every single one of the books has different stickers of smurfs doing different poses on the top of the book covers.

I start to rifle through the old musty smelling box of books that had been left on my porch, when I notice a little children’s book. I see the symbol of the Golden Children’s Books printed on it, then a little sticker on the binding indicating that it belongs to the library catches my eye. Examining it closer, the pages are bent back and discolored, but the book is still in suitable condition. My nails peel at the tape as I fidget and try to figure out what to do next.

Wasting no time, she left the shop and wandered around the mall. She came across an antique shop and decided to pass the time looking at the stuff inside. It had everything from everyday household items to weapons that were claimed to have been used by Lycan Kings as far back as eight hundred years ago. She ended up at an ancient books section. It was filled with books that looked like they had been through centuries of life. Some of them were encased in glass boxes to protect them since they were on the verge of falling apart. Others were partly damaged, but but that didn’t make them any cheaper.

When Ana saw it, her eyes widened. “No way! I did not know this even exist and it is also still in a very good condition for an old book, must have been from the 1878. This is such a rarity.” Anton was not a huge fan of antiquities, but the book was gifted to him from a good friend of him a while ago who worked for the antiquity firm. It was a huge industry among the discreet affluent society after all. “Ah, I am afraid to even open the pages because of how precious it is.” She brought it down to the couch and took out the first volume and started flipping the pages.”

“It was a childhood favorite of mine. She loves it too.” “Of course she does.” Jim carefully tucked the books back where he’d found them. He scanned the few movie titles Zoe had, a bit surprised by her eclectic taste before moving on to the wall-mounted organizer. Flipping through her sketchbook of drawings, he brushed his fingers over the pencils, markers and colored pencils that were clearly among her most prized possessions before landing on a small, tattered stuffed animal. Lifting it from the tangled covers, Jim ran his hand over its fluffy faux fur, straightened a floppy ear. He smiled. “This thing is cute as hell.” He held it out so Teri could see. “Who’s this?”

Both options felt equally disturbing. I closed the book and slid it back into place. My breathing still refused to cooperate. My feet carried me to another shelf. I needed something that had nothing to do with me or corporate sins. Turned out the next shelf was full of children's books. Picture books about dinosaurs, trucks, cats. A whole series about a little hero with a lion mask. One of Ash's stickers clung crooked on one of the spines. I pulled one out. The first page already looked a little worn. In the corner of the page, there was a small scribble in blue marker. Definitely not Zane's handwriting. Big, wobbly letters.

With that in mind, he promptly pressed Zachary, "Are you sure that prick will mess up?" "I can't actually promise that," Zachary replied, prudent for once. "But I can get professionals who can screw over experts." "Professionals who can screw over experts? What do you mean?" Jacob asked in curiosity. Zachary smiled. "See, there are plenty of people in the antique counterfeit business. Plenty of street vendors would try to pass off whatever items they own as ancestral heirlooms or recently excavated relics. Those are just artisan items made to look old with pickling—cheap tricks to fool the dumb ones, foreigners, or collectors with shallow knowledge."