Half Price Books Summer Reading Novels & Stories

The first day of the community reading week began with rain. Not the dramatic kind that cancelled plans and emptied streets, but the steady, silver rain that softened the edges of the world and turned the lake beside Tomorrow House into a sheet of rippling glass. By seven o’clock volunteers were already carrying boxes of books beneath umbrellas while Mrs. Holt stood in the lobby insisting that everyone take a second pastry because, in her words, “reading is intellectual work and intellectual work requires proper fuel.” Daniel accepted an extra cinnamon roll with the solemn gratitude of someone receiving official equipment.

I watch amused as her forehead creases, she’s thinking hard and the smile as she takes the copy of Sam Wu is Not Afraid of Ghosts. “I like the cover.” Her eyes are bright and full of curiosity. “Thank you,” mouths the mother as the girl starts going through the illustrations on the back. “Say goodbye to Ms. Rebecca.” “Goodbye, and thank you, Ms. Rebecca.” She runs ahead clutching her new favorite toy for the next couple of days. My best customers these days are the small children that every other day for reading time. We sit in a circle and grab a few books to read out loud. Right now we are reading together Argh! There’s a Skeleton Inside You! and they are loving it. The children's section

"And because we believe that you have the potential to accomplish great things. That's why we brought you here today. To tell you that we're proud of you." The woman reached into her apron pocket and pulled out an envelope. She handed it to Jewel, who took it hesitantly. "Open it," the woman urged. Jewel opened the envelope and read the words inside. Congratulations! You have been selected to participate in the Summer Reading Program. Your participation has helped earn you a free gift. Please stop by the library on Friday at noon to pick up your prize. Thank you for choosing the Summer Reading Program. We look forward to seeing you on Friday.

"I don't mind. It will be more fun, right?" "Yes!" Summer nodded, excitedly. "Then, let's just read story books tonight, okay, Uncle? Aunt Emily said there are a lot of good books in the library near the north corridor. I haven't had a chance to see it. I wonder how big it is, because there are so many books. Aunt Emily said there were thousands of them! How can there be so many books in a house? The people in this house must love reading." Louis stroked Summer's hair. "Yes, books are important for our brain. Before you go to bed, let's go to the library. You can choose any book to read together."

She would continue reading it in her free time. “I’m leaving in two days. Things are busy at the company.” “Everyone’s busy at the end of the year. Our bookstore will be closed temporarily next week and reopen after the winter holiday. We’ve been busy these days because students are buying study materials to read over the vacation.” Most schools would assign homework to the students and have them buy the books from the bookstore themselves. On the other hand, some schools would buy the books and distribute them to the students. That way, the students did not have to purchase the books themselves.

Watching television had not quite worked out for Mercy either time that she had tried it, so she decided to spend her day reading a book. Luna Isabella had recommended something called Little Women to her, which she said was a classic, and so far, Mercy was enjoying it. She’d curled up in the window seat in the bedroom she’d been sleeping in. Outside, fall leaves fluttered from the trees, spreading a blanket of color all over the velvety lawn. Mercy’s eyes kept wandering away from the words, even though she did like the book. Once her eyes strayed from the words, they quickly slipped to August.

"Hello Miss, how can I help you?" "Do you have David Wong books here?" "Sure, follow me!" Sana says cheerfully and walks inside. The woman follows her behind, looking around the store. Seems like she is a new customer here. After five minutes, the woman comes out with a David Wong novel and gives it to me. I scan the barcode on the book and the price appears on the cash register. She pays using her card and I give the book back to her and wish her a good day. She then smiles at me and walks out of the shop, happily.

It's not a life I can even imagine. After a shower in my own bathroom, I am refreshed and ready to face the week ahead. I have a summer reading group starting tomorrow at the local library. Summer reading group is one of the two main projects I take on each year. The other is the fall reading festival. Both are fun, but neither have resulted in attendance that justifies the time I spend on them so my district wont support the projects and I have to do them on my own time. Last summer we had four kids total and the fall was little better with six kids attending. I’m not sure what else I could do to increase attendance. I'm already offering free snacks and books. Oh, well, I’m not sure

“Totally thrives on this. Loves every second.” I nod. “Yep. And Josh… well, he’s chaos incarnate.” We both laugh softly, glancing at the boys and then back at Gavin, noticing the subtle way he shifts his weight, always quietly aware, letting the antics play out around him. “And that,” Gemma whispers, grinning, “is why summer will never be boring with this crew.” I chuckle, letting the thought settle in. “Never boring… definitely not.” Eben stretches dramatically, still dripping, and grins. “By the way… bonfire tonight. Full-on chaos. Fire, drinks, music—the works. Don’t worry, it’s going to be wild.”

She swallowed hard, trying not to think about what might have been. “And then the house fire… where he swore he heard someone calling for help. Eddie says that those were his last words, an insistence that someone had been in there.” She shuffled back through the yellowed pages, re-reading that part. “The house was supposed to be rented for the full summer, through an agency. But the person who rented it never showed up, and never asked for a refund. It was a cash transaction, so not traceable.” Also not unheard of in those days, before everything was done through apps and online.