Best Short Stories

Short stories offer a compact yet profound
exploration of themes, emotions and characters,
allowing readers to experience a complete narrative
in a brief format. They spark imagination, enhance
empathy and provide a quick escape into diverse
worlds, making literature accessible and enjoyable
for all, regardless of time constraints.

Our Best Short Stories group, a true testament to
its name, is addictive. Every two weeks, this group
delves into the depths of two pieces of short fiction,
sparking thought-provoking discussions. Participants
bring their unique perspectives to the table and they
leave with a deeper, more nuanced understanding of
the stories we explore together.

We’ll be alternating between two books. One is a
collection of short fiction from 52 “Great” authors.
The other has over two dozen stories by Zora Neale
Hurston (1891-1960). Hurston was a “novelist,
folklorist, dramatist, ethnographer and cultural
anthropologist. Her style is distinguished and was
revolutionary in its integration of African American
vernacular.

Our two books are (1) The Art of the Short Story,
edited by Dana Gioia and R.S. Gwynn [IBSN: 978-
0-321-36363-3 in paperback] and (2) The Complete
Stories, by Zora Neal Hurston [ISBN: 978-0-06-
135018-4 in paperback].

SCHEDULE:
* - from The Art of the Short Story
+ - from Hurston, The Complete Stories
January 14: The Gilded Six-Bits by Zora
Neale Hurston+
Mother Catherine by Zora Neale Hurston+
January 28: Revelation by Flannery O’Connor*
Flowering Judas by Katherine Anne Porter*
February 11: Uncle Monday by Zora Neale Hurston+
The Fire and the Cloud by Zora Neale Hurston+
February 25: The Man to Send Rain Clouds by Leslie
Marmon Silko*
Gimpel the Fool by Isaac Bashevis Singer*
March 11: Cock Robin Beale Street by Zora
Neale Hurston+
Story in Harlem Slang by Zora Neale Hurston+