Best-loved Books Novels & Stories

“You're one of the strongest people I know. That's pretty fucking special.” My throat tightens. “You barely know me.” “I know enough.” His hand comes up to cup my face. “And I want to know more, everything.” “Everything?” I try to laugh, but it comes out shaky. “That's a lot of boring medical facts and romance novel opinions.” “Tell me anyway.” He settles back, pulling me with him. “What's your favorite book? And don't say a textbook.” I smile despite myself. “Okay. Um…Pride and Prejudice, probably. I know that's cliché.”

I struggled to choose what book to read to him, since it occurred to me, belatedly, that I have no idea what my Master reads for pleasure. I try to choose something classic instead, something appropriate; but ´Wuthering Heights´, with Cathy, Heathcliff and Edgar, and their doomed love triangle, isn´t right. Neither is ´Gone with the Wind´, with Scarlett, Rhett and Ashley. ´Pride and Prejudice´, ´Jane Eyre´, ´Anna Karenina´, all dwell on the failure of three lovers to make their situation work. In the end, I choose something very different, ´Time Enough for Love´, an old 1970´s Sci-fi novel, in which the characters make their polyamorous family work.

I've never read any of them. It was only after he spoke that I realize he was behind me. I thought he was still sitting on the bed. I run my hands over the book, my eyes catching the titles, A fresh Start, For Mbatha and Rebecca, Agony in get voice, Felicia, The betrayal, for better for worse, Evbu my love... I pulled Evbu, my love out. It's actually my best pacesetter novel. I flipped through the pages and sniffed it.

"Now, Y'all should write a composition of the person you love the most and why you love the person" Jake swiftly raised his hand. "Huh? Yes, Jake? Any question?" Miss Hannah asked. "Yes," Jake replied and stood up. "Go on" Miss Hannah smiled. "How do we know we are in love with someone?" Jake asked. Everyone looked at Jake. "Well, Your heart tells you who you love the most. It beats happily when you are close to the person. Your eyes don't want to stop watching that person. Your ears aren't tired of hearing that person's voice and a lot more"

Some part of me wanted that. Not because I wanted the power. Not because I wanted to collect people like trophies. Because the thought of being wanted like that; to be chosen like that, made something in my chest go warm and tight. All because I had read... things. Books. Ones that I pretended they were "just entertainment." Stories that had made me squirm under blankets and bite my lip and tell myself I was being ridiculous. But the ones that had gotten me the most... the ones that lit my skin up and made my pulse race, were the ones where the woman wasn't lonely in love.

I open the folded letter. Dear Rebecca, You did so amazing today, it’s normal to be exhausted after the intensity of your session. Please enjoy your pampering, you’re a queen who Sam should have cherished. Take your power back and find self love for the beautiful woman you are. Light your spark again! ~ Henry

“Favorite novelist?” “Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice, before you ask.” “By God, boy!” he exclaimed in glee and clapped his hands. “We have a keeper with this one!” He turned to me again. “Second favorite?” I chewed my lip for a second. “Dickens or Louisa May Alcott. It’s tough, but Alcott might just win out. Her ability to create a whole cast of compelling, lovable characters – not just one or two – is something I’ve yet to find in another writer.”

"What's your favorite book?” I thought for a moment. "Hmm, that's a tough one," I said with a low tone. "I'd have to say...'Pride and Prejudice. It's a classic, I know, but there's something about Elizabeth Bennet, her intelligence, her...growth throughout the story. It's inspiring, in a way. It reminds me to...never judge too quickly, to always look for the good in people." Noah smiled. " Interesting. I've read it, of course," he said. "It's a...solid choice.

He asked questions—not the shallow kind Damon’s associates had used to make polite conversation, but real questions. “What’s your favorite book?” he asked at one point, leaning close to be heard over the music. She blinked, startled. “My book?” He smiled faintly. “Yeah. Everyone’s got one. The one they can read again and again and never get tired of.” Mya hesitated, then admitted, “Wuthering Heights. It’s… tragic and messy, but there’s something about the passion in it. The kind that consumes people.” Keith nodded thoughtfully. “I get that. Mine’s The Count of Monte Cristo. Revenge, redemption, justice—it’s a story that makes you think about what really matters when you lose everything.”

5 years ago, I was blessed to open a publishing house as well. E.H. Publishing has had success with multiple top-selling books, and awards. I am grateful for my success, and the benefits packages that accompany it but, were I being honest with myself, I feel empty. It has been several decades since I felt a woman embrace. I have tried, I have tried to move on but, soon all becomes dust in the wind and I have yet to find someone who touches my soul just as my sweet Eliza did. I will never again be able to see her, feel her again.