Book Pickings Novels & Stories

When I got home, I pulled out my suitcase and started packing. There really wasn't much that was truly mine, only a few outfits, some everyday medications, a photo album, and a handful of little things Brandon had casually given me over the years. I folded my clothes into the suitcase, then walked over to the fireplace and tossed some of the old gifts in. They were things like dried moonflowers, a dusty scarf, and a hair clip I'd never wear again. The flames caught them and quickly turned them black.

The ladies all giggle and Julie stands, handing a new bookmark to each of us. "Yes. We figured we'd get you ones that suited you a little better." she says. The new one is dark blue with gold lettering that says 'Real men read dirty books'. I smile and look over at Ev who's showing Harper his excitedly. "These are great. Thank you." I say just as Bri nudges me. "Oh! Tell them your joke, love!" Harper says excitedly. Ev rolls his eyes before addressing the group.

They wandered through the aisles, running their fingers along spines that held countless worlds within their pages. Emily's eyes sparkled with excitement as she plucked a weathered book from the shelf. "Liam, look at this," she exclaimed, her voice filled with wonder. "It's a collection of love letters from different eras. Each page holds the raw emotions of someone's heart."

The faint scent of something dark and expensive lingering in the air wood, spice, something almost smoky. Elias ran a finger along the spines, scanning titles. History. Economics. Philosophy. Control disguised as curiosity, he thought absently. He crouched to reach the lower shelf, pulling out one book, then another. When he straightened, his elbow brushed the desk. Something slid. He caught it automatically before it hit the floor. A matchbook. Black. Matte. Thick cardstock. Elias stared at it. His pulse kicked hard enough to make his ears ring.

I picked some by lunchtime, then finished searching for them and grabbed some to check before I went to sleep. Today like any other day, I made my way through the bustling hallways of the packhouse, exchanging warm greetings with familiar faces. The morning air was crisp and invigorating, infusing me with a sense of calm and clarity. As I approached the library, my heart fluttered with anticipation, eager for a new round and hoping to find something useful this time around. Stepping into the library, I inhaled the familiar scent of aged books and the promise of knowledge they held within their pages. My eyes scanned the shelves, searching for titles that piqued my interest. Soon enough, a st

No, I am sure they are this other guy’s family… not my Mac’s. I roll my eyes in disgust at myself. He’s not my Mac. Oh God. Concentrate, you fucking idiot. I keep going through the images until I get to the one I am looking for. The report. 1267 CCPick up 10thCoffee 1208HPick up after deliveryTea 1190IPick up 14thStatue 1211H Pick up 11thNA 1130CCNon disclosedBook 1140 DMDPick up after deliveryStatue 1289WPPADFlooring

They would back her and shun me if they knew. She could easily get back at me. Yet, she didn’t do it. She held everything to her chest, carrying anything else that I chose to throw at her. “I wouldn’t say no to some,” I told her, clearing my throat. “I know which bookstore that is. Mr. Pemberton is like a bloodhound. He’s able to find books of any kind that you’re looking for. I'm sure that Piper will love whatever you get her. Why don’t you also look for some for yourself?” I suggested.

After completing the task, I pour myself another drink and head to the library to gather all the books that discuss prophecies. As I walk through the shelves of the library, I can feel the weight of the books in my hands. I scan the titles, searching for any that might hold the answers I seek. My eyes land on a thick, leather-bound tome with the word "Prophecies" etched in gold on the cover. I pull it from the shelf and flip through the pages, my heart racing with anticipation. As I read through the ancient texts, I begin to piece together the clues that will help me unravel the mystery of the prophecy. The words on the page seem to come alive, swirling and dancing before my eyes. I lose tra

It's hard to focus without her, but I lead Axar into the small library with me as I begin to search. Having been alive for so long I've acquired many books and ancient pieces of literature. Some are in immaculate shape, others are torn segments and several pages, barely tethered together by bits of spine. Many of these are family heirlooms as well, handwritten and handed down to future generations for guidance. Some are my own notes and contacts, roughly scribed here and there and then stuffed back onto shelves. I find several books on banshees and a couple on cambions. I find some on death as well, and I stack it into my arms with the rest the pile. "Take this one too." Axar softly suggest

The light illuminated the space, full of old objects and stacked boxes. As she walked, a loose floorboard creaked beneath her feet. She bent down to see what it was and, with some effort, lifted the board. She found an old book, covered in dust, with a leather cover filled with drawings of supernatural creatures. Scarlett’s heart began to race; something about the book drew her in, as if it held secrets waiting to be discovered.