The Book Guy Novels & Stories

I can't remember all of the times that I have fallen into their trap, only to learn later on that it was all a trick. As I make my way into the bookstore, I see that it's a good size without being too much. The shelves look immaculate, and I find myself falling in the love with the store. A man around my father’s age walks up to me and smiles. I can tell this store is his life, and he loves every second of it. “May I help you find anything, Miss?” His smile is gentle, and I can’t help but smile back. “Well, yes and no. I saw that you were looking for help, and also where is your classics section?” The man began to chuckle no doubt at my bluntness about it all.

So, who could it be? I arrived in front of the gift shop but unfortunately it wasn’t a gift shop anymore, and there was no strong force that kept me outside so I’m sure that person was no longer here though I still tried. I went inside, it was now a bookstore. A man approached me as he sat and read. He was reading an old book with no title written. I caught a glimpse of it before he closed and looked at me, it was a handwritten book. "Yes?" I stared at him for a moment and felt like I had seen him before, but I just couldn’t remember where or maybe it was just I felt like for a while he was glowing.

The girl said. “Same here. I actually thought that this book wasn’t popular but you’re reading it as well. Oh, I’m Kayne by the way, Kayne David.” “I’m Natsumi Koga, it’s nice to meet you!” “Ah yes, you as well. I was actually about to ask if you always come here.” Kayne asked. “Uhuh, I always go to this café every time I go to town, this is actually kind of my spot, haha.”

I added. “That’s why I am here,” Athena chipped in. She had been quiet since, and I almost forgot that she was standing right there. “I can help you out, as I am vast with knowledge of books and authors,” she added. I nodded with approval, after all, Athena was the reason I even thought about reading as a hobby. “Yes, that would be great,” I accepted easily. “While you are not wrong, I think it might be best if you make your picks yourself,” one of the men interjected. “And I speak as a professional bookseller. Since you are building your library, everything about it should be your sole decision,” he added.

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?"

Does it make sense to bump into someone in such a large place? I looked up, annoyed, to see the owner of the hand that was outstretched offering help. A tall guy with glasses and a handsome face like a Korean actor "Sorry, I didn't see you," he said as he helped me up. "Of course, this bookstore is very cramped; it's natural for you to bump into me!" I snapped. The man looked confused; he looked around us with a frown. "Isn't this place quite spacious?" he asked, confused.

If this was a trap, better one of us fall than both. He'd argued. Of course he'd argued. But in the end, he understood. Some doors only open for one person. The bookstore was called "Between the Pages." A narrow storefront on a quiet street, windows fogged with salt air, a hand-painted sign creaking in the wind. I stood across the street for ten minutes, watching. Trying to see if this was real or another layer of the game. Then I crossed and pushed open the door. --- The bell above the door chimed softly.

every morning and hanging out the sign that read "Open" The bookstore was run by Nicolai Greco, a young man who also bore the weight of his past and had come to this place seeking a peaceful life. The day I met him, I had been wandering along the riverbank with my suitcase behind me. As I looked down at the rushing, icy water below, I thought that settling down here to live out my days didn't seem so bad after all. Then, Nicolai appeared. He glanced at me and stared down at the river with a deadpan expression.

An old bookstore with a faded sign. I went inside the bookstore. The smell of old paper and dust filled my nose. Shelves crammed with books nobody wanted anymore. A gray cat sleeping on the counter. "Can I help you?" The owner appeared from behind a stack of books. Old. Friendly. Completely uninterested in who I was or what I did. "Just looking," I said. "Take your time. The good ones are usually hiding." I browsed for twenty minutes. Not looking for anything specific. Just existing in a space that had nothing to do with business or therapy or growth.

She had to ask. “No. Only because it gets changed every month. I have my room stocked with books every month.” He winked at her, proud of himself. Gabriel always pride himself when it came to books, no one in the pack can match up to him when it came to intelligence as well. He read all types of books, novels, and educational writings. Fictions. Biography. Horror. Newspapers. Politics. He was the man. He was good.