Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Best Short Stories
Speaker
Ira Meslik
Short stories offer a unique literary experience.
They allow readers to briefly explore diverse
perspectives and emotions, making them perfect for
busy lifestyles. They are ideal for discovering new
authors and providing a taste of different genres
without the commitment of a full-length novel.
Our discussions are member-driven and member-led.
We’ll be working with two books. The first, a
collection of short fiction from the anthology 100
Years of the Best American Short Stories, celebrates
a century of American short fiction through 40
selected stories. The second is The Greatest Short
Stories of Anton Chekhov. Chekhov, born in Russia in
1860, was a renowned playwright and short-story
writer. His writing style was characterized by realism
and subtlety, often focusing on ordinary people and
their struggles. He is considered one of the founders
of modernism in theater and his works continue to
influence literature and theater globally.
Our two books are available from a number of sellers.
Look for 100 Years of the Best American Short Stories,
edited by Lorrie Moore and Heidi Pitlor; ISBN: 978-
0-547-48585-0 in hardcover (also available for
a Kindle) and The Greatest Short Stories of Anton
Chekhov, translated by Constance Garnett; ISBN:
978-93-8971-710-5 in paperback (also available in
hardcover and for a Kindle).
SCHEDULE:
+ from 100 Years of the Best American Short Stories
* from The Greatest Short Stories of Anton Chekhov
July 15: Gay Old Dog by Edna Ferber+
Brothers by Sherwood Anderson+
July 29: The Death of a Government Clerk by Anton
Chekhov*
Joy by Anton Chekhov*
August 12: My Old Man by Ernest Hemingway+
Haircut by Ring Lardner+
August 26: In the Graveyard by Anton Chekhov*
Small Fry by Anton Chekhov*
They allow readers to briefly explore diverse
perspectives and emotions, making them perfect for
busy lifestyles. They are ideal for discovering new
authors and providing a taste of different genres
without the commitment of a full-length novel.
Our discussions are member-driven and member-led.
We’ll be working with two books. The first, a
collection of short fiction from the anthology 100
Years of the Best American Short Stories, celebrates
a century of American short fiction through 40
selected stories. The second is The Greatest Short
Stories of Anton Chekhov. Chekhov, born in Russia in
1860, was a renowned playwright and short-story
writer. His writing style was characterized by realism
and subtlety, often focusing on ordinary people and
their struggles. He is considered one of the founders
of modernism in theater and his works continue to
influence literature and theater globally.
Our two books are available from a number of sellers.
Look for 100 Years of the Best American Short Stories,
edited by Lorrie Moore and Heidi Pitlor; ISBN: 978-
0-547-48585-0 in hardcover (also available for
a Kindle) and The Greatest Short Stories of Anton
Chekhov, translated by Constance Garnett; ISBN:
978-93-8971-710-5 in paperback (also available in
hardcover and for a Kindle).
SCHEDULE:
+ from 100 Years of the Best American Short Stories
* from The Greatest Short Stories of Anton Chekhov
July 15: Gay Old Dog by Edna Ferber+
Brothers by Sherwood Anderson+
July 29: The Death of a Government Clerk by Anton
Chekhov*
Joy by Anton Chekhov*
August 12: My Old Man by Ernest Hemingway+
Haircut by Ring Lardner+
August 26: In the Graveyard by Anton Chekhov*
Small Fry by Anton Chekhov*
Speaker Bio
Facilitator: Ira Meislik never read short stories
unless his schooling required him to do so. Now
he is hooked on the genre. He’s excited to read this
quarter’s selections, especially those by Hurston,
and to get a better understanding of each through
his membership in this group. That makes him a
prime example that no prior experience with short
fiction is needed to participate in this fabulous
discussion group’s bi-weekly get-togethers.
unless his schooling required him to do so. Now
he is hooked on the genre. He’s excited to read this
quarter’s selections, especially those by Hurston,
and to get a better understanding of each through
his membership in this group. That makes him a
prime example that no prior experience with short
fiction is needed to participate in this fabulous
discussion group’s bi-weekly get-togethers.
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