Write about someone going to extreme lengths to return an overdue library book.

Posted in High School on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 131 stories

“Twists and Turns” by Christine Hungerford

Submitted to Contest #91

Hello. Comrade here. Returning an overdue library book may not sound strenuous to you. Well, I’m a particularly unique person in a diverse scenario. So, yeah, your answer is erroneous if you tell me I shou...

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“Ten Months Overdue” by Ellie Saunders

Submitted to Contest #91

It truly wasn’t that important. This is what she told herself as she strode towards the library steps. The August heat sifted languidly through the small Californian town, the pavement warm enough to wince at even though the sun had only risen hours ago. The palms of her hands felt slick against the laminated spine of the book. Far off, a siren wailed down the highway. East of Eden. She had read Steinbeck in high school for an English class, and never again thereafter. It made her eyes hurt. She resented the weight of the pages in her s...

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“Topics In Modern Imprisonment” by David Zasloff

Submitted to Contest #91

Jude stumbled across the book while cleaning out his attic. Checked out by his mom. Due fifteen years before. The name of the library branch on the spine and the title page were both worn away and unreadable. Hoo boy. It wasn't enough that he had to clear out the whole house right after his mom's funeral before he could sell the place – now he had to return a book to God knows what library branch and pay God knows how much in fines? Great. But at least it was an excuse to get out of that dust-filled attic. He climbed down the ladder and ...

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“Cling” by Eric S

Submitted to Contest #91

It was another packed house in the gym on a cold Friday night. The vibrations from the screams could be felt no matter where you were sitting in the gym. Especially if you were sitting on the end of the bench where Dante was sitting. That’s where he always sat... at the edge of the bench with a towel over his head wishing it was an invisibility cloak. He never got in the game. He didn’t care. Why would he. At 5’9” with a scrawny build, why would he get to play? Surely nobody else cared about hi...

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“The Sound of Clear Plastic” by Johnny Manc

Submitted to Contest #91

From her perch behind the counter, Maggie sighed and counted the tables still occupied as the clock ticked toward closing. Two had just ordered, three were midway through their meal, and one was collecting his things to leave. The man placed cash on top of the receipt, a rare thing, and was wiping crumbs from his coat as Maggie went to clear the table. She took the coffee cup and plate and the man thanked her in an accent she didn’t recognize. He was oddly dressed, bright colors and intricate stitching. He had a large backpack and duffel bag...

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“OBSOLETE CONFESSION” by Kristine Mae Enad

Submitted to Contest #91

A crisp sound coming from the pages as I flipped back and forth the pages of the book, I loaned weeks ago. It was the end of the semester and all the books must be returned. Looking around after getting my card, silence is deafening to the core and only sound from the aircon can be heard. No audible whispers heard that was once the liven the library. Even the librarian and staff were too silent as they organized the catalogue and doing inventory. I motion towards the shelves of different section. Thinking of those books piled neatly, I scann...

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“Seshat” by Affair Writer

Submitted to Contest #91

Prologue Books, a window to the world is a phrase that everyone must have heard at least once in their lifetime. I love books, they fascinate me. I couldn’t even imagine a world without them. Ranging from children’s books to magic scripts, I have read many of them. Part 1 “Again?” The librarian frowned at me. “S-sorry,” I apologized. “This is your thirteenth time, The Goddess won’t be pleased you know,” she reminded me. “I-I know,” I agreed. “If you knew, w...

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“Ten Years Overdue” by Heather Ann Martinez

Submitted to Contest #91

Ten Years Overdue By Heather Ann Martinez If you were to visit my home, you would see a very simple, organized space. There are sticky notes on the mirrors and a growing “To-do” list hanging on the fridge. There is a bucket list journal on my nightstand and symmetrically arranged flowers in the vase on my dining room table. Groceries are picked up every Tuesday and Friday. Bills are paid every Wednesday. Normally, everything runs like clockwork. It was on a Sunday that I received a call from a former college roommate who said some of my ...

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“The Tower” by Finlan Aldan

Submitted to Contest #91

A Young Scholar was standing anxiously at the base of the Tower. His hand held a sturdy, knotted rope that split into seven thinner laces, each was tied to the snout of a camel. On each side of the camels were pockets full of books and scrolls. The Young Scholar was sure that the scriptures themselves weighed as heavy as three camels. Two at least. And now, he should return them to the library. He stood in angst, but also in amazement. For it was the Tower of Babel. Centuries ago, when they only found thin air but no heaven at its peak, the...

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“A Magnanimous Trip ” by Chris Smith

Submitted to Contest #91

CW: substance use ----- Three forty-five; the clock ticked away as Martin placed three tabs of LSD on his tongue. The smaller-than-a-finger-tip paper tabs were unique, as they were triangle shaped and portrayed Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” before being broken apart. Martin was at what seemed to be the peak of his spring break. He slumped deep within the brown loveseat in Ray’s basement, which swallowed it’s occupant up, even without psychotropic interference. This couch faced a door that led up several stairs to the grass of Ray’s backyard. To ...

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“A Rainy Return” by Esther Gray

Submitted to Contest #91

It was a gray and dreary Saturday. Rain had been thundering down for hours, most gardens would certainly be ruined. It was the kind of day where even the thought of going outside made a person shiver. Casey was, as always, tucked away in a chair that completely swallowed her, reading her way through a stack of books that teetered precariously, seeming as if at any moment it would topple over. A steaming mug of tea sat precariously on the shelf above her, almost spilling every time she reached for it. She paid no mind, lost completely ...

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Write about someone going to extreme lengths to return an overdue library book.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 131 stories

“Twists and Turns” by Christine Hungerford

“Ten Months Overdue” by Ellie Saunders

“Topics In Modern Imprisonment” by David Zasloff

“Cling” by Eric S

“The Sound of Clear Plastic” by Johnny Manc

“OBSOLETE CONFESSION” by Kristine Mae Enad

“Seshat” by Affair Writer

“Ten Years Overdue” by Heather Ann Martinez

“The Tower” by Finlan Aldan

“A Magnanimous Trip ” by Chris Smith

“A Rainy Return” by Esther Gray

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with a stern librarian scolding two characters for making noise in the library.

Write about a character who meticulously catalogs everything in their life, until something disrupts their system.

Set your story in a library, after hours.

Write about a character stumbling upon a library book that changes the course of their life, for better or worse.

Contest #91

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

769

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: