Book Haven Novels & Stories

Hailey wandered the palace, feeling bored. Luna Grace was away, and Lila was busy with her chores. With nothing to do, Hailey found herself in front of Duncan's study. She had never really looked around. "Perhaps I will find something intriguing to read," Hailey thought, pushing the door open. She strolled towards the book racks and ran her fingertips across the covers of each book. She glanced at an ancient, well-worn book. She pulled it out and smiled. It was about plants and herbs.

I growled under my breath, veering back to look at the strip center. Then I saw it. Betty's Books…24-hr bookstore. A honk sounded from behind me. The light was green. I pulled into the turn lane, whipping a u-turn and pulling into the parking space. I got out, stepping into the empty storefront. It wasn't unusual. Who would go to a bookstore at 9 PM on a weekday? Me. That's who. The shopkeeper popped up behind a stack of books on the front desk. "Hello! Welcome in!"

And if she’d seen what I saw last night in my cousin’s eyes… I didn’t blame her for staying gone. Because I wasn’t the same man she kissed at the spring. Not anymore. I headed straight for the elder lodge. The guards parted without a word, and the door creaked closed behind me like the forest itself was holding its breath. Elder Kiera looked up from a map strewn across the center table. Elder Ronin stood beside her, arms folded. A third figure—Elder Briar—stood in the corner, fingers stained with old ink, a spellbook clutched in her hands.

“You must be very busy doing... whatever it is you do all day.” The next encounter was in the library. I’d gone there to escape her, thinking it was the one place she wouldn’t bother me. I was wrong. “Oh, I love this room,” she said as she walked in, trailing her fingers along the spines of the books. “Max and I used to spend hours in here. He has such a good eye for first editions, don’t you think?” I clenched my jaw, refusing to rise to the bait. She pulled a book off the shelf, flipping through it. “It’s funny, isn’t it? How life works out. You, an actress turned... well, whatever you are now. And me, still as close to Max as ever.”

Her days of serenity appear to be coming to an end. By the way, if you're wondering why Hannah is so cold to Clyde, it's because of that. FLASHBACK. Hannah took a stroll through the mall before deciding to visit the National Bookstore. She looks through the shelves to see if Nicholas Sparks' book has been restocked. This bookstore is always stocked with the most recent releases. Some popular books are always in stock here, but not at other bookstores.

She didn't know if she'd ever get back. As they began the walk back home, Sonia made a final detour, steering Hannah down a deserted street flanked by tiny shops. One store in particular caught her eye—an old-fashioned, dusty little bookstore, its shelves as history-steeped as their own, warm light spilling through the windows. "Do you want to have a look?" Sonia asked, noticing the way Hannah lingered on the bookstore.

Heather took another look at the girl, who seemed to be in her early twenties. “Hello.” The receptionist was also responsible for the cash register, so it was a wonder how she could manage both sides. Then again, the Aoki Book Bar’s business was slow, so one shopkeeper was enough. Heather then did the rare thing of putting on a gentle smile. Matthias rarely saw Heather being so kind to a stranger. “I need a copy of Leo Tolstoy’s ‘Fables and Fairy Tales’. Where can I find it?” Standing to one side, Matthias was a little curious. He wondered why Heather would ask such a question, but the girl at the front desk answered in one breath.

I got out a dense packed book and quickly went back to Reuben in bed. He looked confused and disheveled; his inquisitive gaze fell on the book in my hand. He asked, "What is that?" I, in turn, proudly presented it to him, "Lo and behold Your Highness, this right here in my hand is the 5th popular limited edition of Busty Asian Babes. I heard it is so stimulating that you can release at any time." Reuben with book in hand, "..........."

Maybe our connection wasn’t meant to be, so no matter how we were brought together we still didn’t end up together. A few moments later, I’d found the books I wanted to buy. I placed them in my arms, then walked over to Kevin, who was sitting on the reading sofa. This bookstore has a tiny reading room with only two reading sofas separated by a small round table. A reading lamp stands beside each sofa. On the table sits a small flowerpot serving as decoration. The reading room floor is carpeted, and next to my sofa are two vending machines.

She got up and left. Frances yawned. "Good night mom." She turned off the lamp and shut her eyes. Frances worked as a salesclerk at the Soft View Bookstore, along Huxely Street, Boston. The bookstore was well known, not because it was a large establishment, but due to the style of book display ordered by Mr. Yamato -- nearly half of the books were displayed outside in a heavy show glass. This could be the most reason why each morning of a working day wore Frances out. She just hated everything about the book store.