Booktok Made Me Buy It Novels & Stories

Julian Blackwood didn't believe in *kindness*. He believed in **results**. In **control**. In **winning**. And yet as he stood in the midst of *Chapter & Soul* bookstore, with Lena Carter's soft voice still lingering at the edges of his mind like morning mist, something strange tangled deep in his chest. "*Maybe you should start,"* she had breathed. An effortless sentence. Soft, nearly shy. But it had hit harder than any boardroom betrayal or market crash he'd ever faced.

As I hoped, they were all books written by April Dove. “Why did you buy these? I didn’t tell you about them.” I gasped, taking out the books one at a time at a snail’s pace, enjoying the wonderful euphoria feeling that was so wonderful. I had only told him about The Pink Hearts And Sunshine series and not the others. So why did he get them?

he advises. I thank him with a nod and watch as he bounces back behind the counter to finish his own book. I pick through a couple that have interesting covers, but after reading the jackets I put them down. It takes me forever to finally find one that sounds like it may work. The Business of Business sounds boring enough to put me to sleep. I don’t want to spend any more time digging through stacks, so I grab a random paperback that’s sitting on the edge of the table before heading to the counter. “Excellent choice!” the bookkeeper chirps as he rings me up. “This one here is a riveting read,” he says, holding up the paperback I hadn’t even glanced at.

I finally swore under my breath, tossed the book back onto the shelf and wandered around the small little bookstore some more, not really thinking anything in particular, letting my mind drift . Until I came to my senses at the ringing of the cash register, and found myself holding my newly purchased copy of The King Wears Yellow: And You Can Too.

“I was beginning to memorize the cracks in the ceiling.” “I noticed you started naming them.” “You noticed?” “I was bored.” “I gathered that.” For a brief moment i almost smiled but then I grunted and looked around. Supreme stepped aside. “The King has granted you access to the library again.” My mood improved immediately. “Now that’s the best thing anyone has said all week.” The library felt strangely comforting maybe because it was the only place I could be without disturbance. The smell of old parchment books wrapped around me like a blanket. If I ignored the demons it would’ve better.

But he blocked me again. "I said, I don't want a quid, mate." His voice is really something. I got goosebumps. "I know you're looking for this." My eyes widened at what he showed. It's the book! The one Satan was talking about. Satan was right. It came on its own, but... is this one of his men? "Where did you get that, mate?" I asked, but I was looking at the book. Shit! I need that book!

I went to w*****d books, even though my eyes were satisfied, I was still disgusted and sullen. While looking for the book, something suddenly hit me so I came across it. "Hi miss, I want to buy a book for my baby. She's upset with me, so what do you think is the best book that I can give to her?" I smiled at what he said. "Letche to Vandall." Smiling I said. He laughed and kissed my forehead "I know books can satisfy you. Come on, let's buy what you want." He held my hand so I smiled at him.

I was stunned it’s here! I entered the bookstore. “Welcome sir how may I help you?” The guy from earlier said. “Where I can find the “Mi Tesoro” book?” I ask. Well that’s my book, a tragic one. “This way sir” Then he led me on the middle part of the shelf. He left me there and I pick a copy of my book. Wow, I didn’t know they bought a lot of copies of my book. Why did they do it? “It’s Red Wrights book sir” A female voice emerge from my behind.

“Said the girl who spent half a million just to get my attention. How am I supposed to trust that now you know about my collection, you won’t attack it on your next rant or tantrum?” Low blow. “you might be right,” I muttered, brushing my hair behind my ear. “But just so you know, buying me an entire bookstore wouldn't protect your boring books, It’s excessive,” I said but he just shrugged like it meant nothing, casually twirling the car keys in his hand. Was he really being serious right now?

I simply nodded quickly, my eyes still not leaving the book. Minutes and hours passed as I got more and more engaged inside my book, but I didn’t care. This book was too interesting, and I couldn’t stop. God, this is why my parents stopped buying me books. They always made it sound like that’s all I’m ever good at and that it would “distract” me from doing the “important” things in life. Like trying to win the heart of a blood-sucking monster. “Interesting,” I heard a familiar voice say before my book was snatched away from me.