Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Best Short Stories
Speaker
Ira Meislik
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. One is a collection
of short fiction from 52 “Great” authors, where
we’ll finish with its last two stories. The other is
a collection 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 The Art of the Short Story edited
by Dana Gioia and R. S. Gwynn (IBSN: 978-0-321-
36363-3 in paperback), and 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
April 8: Separating by John Updike*
A Haunted House by Virginia Woolf*
April 22: High John deConquer by Zora Neale
Hurston+
Hurricane by Zora Neale Hurston+
May 6: The Conscience of the Court by Zora Neale
Hurston+
Escape from Pharaoh by Zora Neale Hurston+
May 20: The Tablets of the Law by Zora Neale
Hurston+
Black Death by Zora Neale Hurston+
June 3: The Bone of Contention by Zora Neale
Hurston+
Book of Harlem by Zora Neale Hurston+
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. One is a collection
of short fiction from 52 “Great” authors, where
we’ll finish with its last two stories. The other is
a collection 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 The Art of the Short Story edited
by Dana Gioia and R. S. Gwynn (IBSN: 978-0-321-
36363-3 in paperback), and 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
April 8: Separating by John Updike*
A Haunted House by Virginia Woolf*
April 22: High John deConquer by Zora Neale
Hurston+
Hurricane by Zora Neale Hurston+
May 6: The Conscience of the Court by Zora Neale
Hurston+
Escape from Pharaoh by Zora Neale Hurston+
May 20: The Tablets of the Law by Zora Neale
Hurston+
Black Death by Zora Neale Hurston+
June 3: The Bone of Contention by Zora Neale
Hurston+
Book of Harlem by Zora Neale Hurston+
Speaker Bio
Facilitator: Ira Meislik never read short stories
unless his schooling required him to do so, but
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
biweekly get-togethers.
unless his schooling required him to do so, but
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
biweekly get-togethers.
08
22
06
20
03