Troubled Sleep Bookstore Novels & Stories

Alana then rested her head on Leo's shoulder and looked at the book on Leo's lap. "What are you reading?" Alana asked, then looked at the cover of the book in front of her. Then, she let out a rough breath. "Why do you always read heavy books like this before going to sleep?" Alana asked, making Leo snatch the book back. "What's wrong with that?" Leo asked. "Aren't you afraid of getting insomnia reading books like this?" Alana asked, glancing at the thick book about business and its intricacies. "I actually can't sleep without reading this book," Leo replied, refocusing on the book in front of him. Alana then leaned her head back, reading the words that made her head slightly throb.

The sheets rustled softly as I extracted myself from his embrace, and he made a small sound of protest in his sleep, his arm reaching for me automatically. But he didn't wake, his exhaustion from coordinating retaliatory strikes against the Volkov bratva keeping him deeply asleep despite his usual hyperawareness. I pulled on a robe and padded silently to the library, hoping that a change of scenery and perhaps some reading would help quiet my racing mind. The compound was dark and silent at this hour, most pack members asleep in their quarters, only the night patrol moving through the hallways on their regular routes. The library was one of my favorite places in the compound, a massive room

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.

Over the pictures are the words ‘The Barded Goat Used & Collectible Books’. “A bookstore?” I look at Bronx reluctantly. “Trust me.” He opens a heavy wooden door and lets me step inside. “Tyree, shop’s closed until we come back out.” “Understood, Mister Mason.” Tyree stands in front of the door as it closes. Inside, they stacked the store floor to ceiling with shelves of books that look like they could cave in at any moment. The shelves are made of dark painted wood and someone haphazardly shoved most of the books in place. The shelves at the top are heavy with dust and cobwebs. I take another step inside to see more of the intriguing place. The air is still and smells like old parchment and

Oh, that great and tough business tycoon Jairus Ezekiel has a habit of talking in his sleep, blabbering all his secrets out! [I wrote this book in 2019, I’m uploading it after a bit of editing and adding more chapters. Pardon me for the blunders and unusual style.] -Claimed by my alpha bully- 5 chapters are up! Search through web, signing on monday!

It looked like completely normal life, and now that I knew exactly what existed beneath Black Hollow’s ordinary surface, the town somehow felt more alive instead of less. Harmony tugged my sleeve toward the bookstore near the corner. “I need a new thriller before finals completely destroy my remaining mental health.” I rolled my eyes. “You literally bought three books last week.” “And?” She looked personally offended by the math. The bell above Hollow & Pine Books chimed softly when we stepped inside. Warm air wrapped around us, carrying the scent of fresh coffee and old paper. The bookstore had been here forever, keeping the same creaky floors, the same crooked shelves, and the same old tab

"Don't worry, we will be fine before the day ends. I blurted, arranging myself and placing already sleeping Jamie back in the carrier. Tanner nodded and said suddenly. "I just remembered a bookshop that I passed by during my little tourist adventure. It's not too far from the mall. I can't be sure but I think I saw a vacancy sign there. I felt relieved. Another hope. "Let's go check it out." We quickly boarded a cab and gave our directions. He turned to me, "A bookshop will be good for you. It has less customers and more privacy too. The pay is very good. You'll be safe there." He stretched on the last sentence, watching my face for reactions.

I needed to swap the comic book I borrowed last month with another one anyway. I walked in through the front doors and a bell chimed. Jack, the store owner, was sleeping. I don’t blame him though. No one ever comes in here. Besides, I’d do anything to have the peace of mind he is no doubt experiencing. I grabbed a book from the shelf and got comfortable on one of seats. Perhaps too comfortable given the day I had. It wasn’t long before I dozed off. And with sleep came dreams of cockroaches, flying papers and green eyes. I jerked awake to see that the sky was dark. My phone vibrated in my back pocket. It was my mother.

Leaving Ismail alone in his condition didn't seem like the right thing to do, but staying the night wasn't an option either. Feeling restless, I wandered over to the bookshelf in the corner of the room, hoping to find something to pass the time. But to my dismay, all the books were about business, which was of no interest to me. It took a while, and I eventually found a book that was not related to business. But, it was something about rebirth or second chances. I gazed at him on the bed with a perplexed look. Was this tough, stoic man really into this kind of superstitious thing?

Sleep sure was a cruel stranger tonight. Eventually, I gave up. Sleep wasn’t coming, and I needed an escape from my restless thoughts. Groaning out loud, I suddenly intensely missed my cabin. I didn’t have many restless nights when I was working, but when I did, I would always pick one of my carefully selected books to read. Usually something spicy!