Talking Heads The Book I Read Novels & Stories

"Medication. Noise-canceling headphones. And I read the same book every time I fly." "The same book?" "The same book. It's about the history of maritime trade routes. Completely boring. But familiar enough that it keeps my brain occupied without requiring so much l concentration." I almost smiled. "That's so unexpected." "I know. But you asked." The waiter came back and we ordered. I got whatever pasta he recommended, and he got fish. When we were alone again I said, "My turn. What do you want to know?" "Why biotech?" "That's boring."

“That’s a huge number.” “There’s a lot of assholes out there.” “And are you one of them?” “It’s too late to ask that now, but I’m not.” He walked around me, brushing his fingers against my arm and sending a shiver of delight up my skin. “I already have you and I’m not letting you go.” “You sound like the Beast.” “Maybe the Beast and I do have some things in common.” I went to the brown section and picked up the book. “The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith. I had to read parts of this for an economics course, but I never read the whole book.”

’’ When I gave a frantic shake of my head, he smiled even wider as if he intended to tease me even more. ‘‘Or perhaps we should pick one about your father…’’ he raised an eyebrow, shoving his hands into his jeans pockets. ‘‘I’m sure it’s somewhere inside the shelf, too…’’ ‘‘Alex, don’t you dare!’’ But he already looked through the books once more, and I heaved a heavy sigh when I saw a book entitled William Maxwell: Zero to One. Wow! From the title itself, I could tell that dad started from zero when he built his business.

I tried to find places to hide. I thought it would block out the voices a little, so I often went to the library and the theatre. I would sit at the back of the theatre and watch the drama class sometimes and it was a good discraction at first. Until that one drama student's voice crept into my head and made me go a little crazier. I saw him in the first row of the theatre, looking up at the class acting out some scene. I couldn't see his expression very well so that's when I let his thoughts enter my head. He was a deep thinker and journal writer, so his thoughts seemed to be endless. It started with:

However, as I make my way home, I can’t help but wonder what was behind those doors. I also realize that I was able to snap out of my change. Not just that, my change felt more natural this time, and I was able to control it better. I rub my head for a moment, considering this change. I’m not feeling the harsh pounding in my head that I felt the other times I’ve gone through my change. As I lay in my bed that night, I read through the books that I found in the library, but none of them lead to anything important.

I drew in a breath sharply, shrinking back in embarrassment. I awkwardly reached out for my bag and brought out my favorite novel, The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. I eyed the book and returned my gaze to Mr. Trevelyan, who was still laying back in his seat with his eyes shut. I let my eyes trail from his golden brown hair to his bobbing Adam's apple. My eyes narrowed to slits and watched his every movement. "It's rude to stare." I blinked my eyes, snapping myself from my daze. I arched an eyebrow for a second and turning to my book.

“It’s been two months since we met. You’re an amazing boss, an amazing person but you’ve had that look since the first time I saw you.” “What look?” She sighs “I don’t want to overstep but if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here.” I don’t know what to tell her so I just nod. “Thanks, I’ll be leaving soon.” “Alright, we’ll lock up.” **** I grab a book from the shelf and read the title. ‘The Psychopath’s internal wiring’ I walk over to a seat in the corner and I start to read. A gentle hand taps me, jerking me awake.

Present me set it aside… and opened my notebook. Achieving Mind-Blowing Orgasms, I wrote dutifully on my reading log, blocked letters underlined twice. The book had been waiting since Monday, voluptuous promises baked into its table of contents. But the introduction insisted on foundations—nervous system, context, trust—and the word foundations made me feel like a shaky Jenga tower wary of its next block. I read a paragraph. Then another. The blue box breathed beside me like a second presence. “If you had eyes,” I told it, “you’d be staring.”

" While pondering which of the many books I've read is the best, I feel someone's eyes on me. I turn and find Jacob staring. He doesn't look away even though I've caught him watching me. Hannah is talking to him, but he doesn't seem to be listening; his full attention is on me. Why is he so focused on me? I haven't gotten a chance to talk to him since Hannah hasn't left his side during the flight. There is so much I want to say to him. "Sarah?" Charles calls, bringing me back to earth. "Yes?" "I asked you a question." "Oh yes, you did." I give him a brief smile. "If I had to choose a favorite book, I would have to say-" "The Hangmen series by Tillie Cole," Jacob says before I can. I turn to

Adrian said. They sat on the phone together for a few minutes after that. Noah talked about a book he was reading, something about the history of corporate law that he had found in the school library and which was, he said, actually quite interesting once you got past the first chapter, which was mostly definitions. Adrian listened. He did not say what he was thinking. He did not say what he knew.