Books That Make You Think. Novels & Stories

After that, I spend an hour in the gym downstairs, and then I grab some lunch before wandering into the rec room with a book my dad sent me called Finding Your Center: The Busy Woman's Guide to Inner Peace and Tranquility. I make it three pages before I start to feel antsy. It's too easy to let my mind wander while I'm reading. My thoughts keep going back to my argument with Luca last night. Or to our practice session last week. Or to a dozen other little things I've promised myself I won't think about.

“What were you thinking about that got you so carried away?” “Well I…” My voice drifted off, and my brain searched for a believable excuse to give. I couldn’t say nothing because I knew he would be suspicious, but I couldn’t say what I was really thinking. My eyes landed on the boxes of books at my feet, and an idea came to me. “I’m actually wondering where I’m going to keep all these books.” I said, picking a random one and placing it on my lap. “Your library is already full to the brim, and I don’t think I can just leave them in the boxes.”

Who knows what he would manipulate me to think in here. “You’re crazy,” I hear myself saying. Thought doesn’t react the way I assumed he would, not appearing offended at all. He simply loosens a deep breath, backing up a few steps to one of the stacks of books against the wall, looking at the spines as if they actually exist. I have to remember that nothing around me exists. Thought isn’t someone who I can touch, and feel real sensations. Even if I did, it would be a simulation. A terrifying one, too.

Until I heard my name. "Alveera?" I called back in surprise as I saw her walking towards us. "Hey guys. Can I talk to Ariana for a second?" She asked making Alfred and Andy excused themselves. "You asked for this" she said gesturing towards me the books I asked for. I was goddamn Happy. "Keep it safe and make sure none of the gamma catch you with it, you'll get me in trouble." She advised but I was too stunned to do anything, I didn't even know when she left after giving me the books. I ran to Andy and Alfred who was waiting outside.

He must have guessed it. “Yes, my king. If you allow then can I have some books to read? I” I ask the king. I thought a lot about what things can help me to stop my irrational thoughts. Then, it occurred to my mind that books are my best friends. If I have some books to read then I will not be bored and will not think about my past or future. “You know how to read?” The king asks me curiously with his eyebrow raised. His reaction is not what I expected. Does he think that I cannot read?