The Book Company Novels & Stories

"Well, maybe they know a way you can show her that without making a total idiot out of yourself." I don't wait for him to respond, getting out of the car and walking towards the house. I knock and an older man answers it. "We're not interested in buying any magazines." He says gruffly. "We're here for book club." I explain and Everett holds up his copy of the book as proof. The guy eyes us skeptically before turning back towards the inside of the house. "Jules! You got dudes in this group?" He yells. The next moment Julie rounds the corner, her head popping into the open doorway.

I stated finishing my coffee. “Who is you publisher?” he asked suddenly. “Aurelius Book Publishing, it isn't a big publishing house, but few of their books were on the bestsellers list already. It's challenging, but I would love to make it on such list as well, one day…” I sighed smiling. “I'm sure you will,” Kaisei grinned.

Gwen quickly answered, "There's one more: 'The Essence of Management.'" Since he was familiar with the layout, Adrian led them to the C section and pulled out a book with a red cover. He handed it to Caroline. Caroline and Gwen both looked over. Indeed, it was "The Essence of Management." Gwen was stunned. "You didn't even look. How did you know where the book was?" Adrian smiled. "This is my bookstore. Of course, I know where the books are. As for Caroline …" He glanced at "The Essence of Management" in the shopping cart. "Few people know about this book. How do you know about it?"

According to my search, there is a book emporium down the street. It doesn’t take me long to find the corner building. It’s a grand brown brick building with piles of books sitting in the display window. The door dings as I walk in. I’m instantly struck by the scent of dust and paper. An old man looks up from behind a makeshift counter, smiling at me from over the top of a red hardcover. “Welcome and salutations my friend. Is there something I can help you find today?” he asks, setting down his reading material.

It's really annoying, with so many things I can forget why my book is still there. At 11pm, after eating dinner I went up to my room again. I still can't move on from the book I left behind. My Mom noticed earlier that I looked sad so I told her the reason and she said that I shouldn't be sad because she will buy me a new one. But how? Based on the publishing company announcement there will be no second batch for that book. Haysst. It’s really annoying.

Six months later. The book came in the mail on a Tuesday. A flat package from HarperCollins. Josie opened it at the kitchen table while Harlan read the newspaper and Dane made breakfast and the coffee machine, the new one, the one that didn't scream, hummed quietly on the counter. She pulled it out. The cover. Her name. The title: "The House That Grew." A woman standing in a doorway, looking into a room that was too dark to see.

When we got inside, there were still a lot of people but not as many as the roaring people down the street. "Miss, Santelli. You're here," the female wearing the cheapest sheath dress said, her frizzy hair blocking my view. I raised my mental eyebrow when I heard her implied 'you're late' greeting. Playing along I said, "Yes. I'm very sorry. The afternoon traffic was a nightmare." "That's no problem, Miss Santelli. Right this way." She led me to a long table with a chair in the middle and millions of Times Magazine copies stacked nearby. I smiled and gave a slight wave at the people inside the library and took my seat on the chair.

They weren't joking when they said they'll have a word with my boss about my working hours. Instead of dying from embarrassment, I headed toward the book section, I could read while they aren't here. It's probably the last time I'll set foot in this place, my boss is one mean lady, she'll fire me for sure. Looking around the shop was fairly packed today, we weren't extremely busy, but not empty either. I was trying to catch a book from the top shelf, while keeping my short skirt down. I really should ask mommy for longer skirt, even with the high knee socks keeping me warm, I still was at risk of diaper flashing.

"How are your parents doing?" "They are good. Thanks for asking." "No need to hesitate. I heard that your family has a book publishing business, right? Chen Publishing? I've always liked your published books. The paper your publisher always uses premium and durable. Half of the collection of books in my home library are mostly books from your family's company."

He raised his eyebrows and moved his lips in what could probably be termed as a smile. "From where did you get it?" he asked, extending his wrinkled hands towards the apple. "Oh, you don't want to know. Let's get started. Which books do you want me to sort today?" "You are not half bad, Shiva. Walk on the straight path, and you will still be able to make something of yourself,” said the old man looking at the boy right in the eyes. Shiva turned away from his gaze, and Ben continued, “Sort out the romantic novels and keep them on this shelf here." He proceeded to explain where all genres had to be placed. The store would open in a few days, the first bookstore in this part of town, albeit of