Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
2025-2026 Membership is now Open for Registration.
Best Short Stories
Coordinator
Ira Meislik
This group has long been a beacon of intellectual stimulation and engagement. It’s not just popular; it’s addictive. Every two weeks, this group delves into two short pieces of fiction with thought-provoking discussions. Participants bring their unique perspectives and leave with a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the stories we explore together. Our discussions are member-driven and member-led.
Our first book, 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 Kindle) and The Greatest Short Stories of Anton Chekhov, translated by Constance Garnett; ISBN: 978-93-8971-710-5 in paperback (also available in hardcoverand for Kindle).
SCHEDULE:
+ from 100 Years of the Best American Short Stories
* from The Greatest Short Stories of Anton Chekhov
October 7: A Malefactor by Anton Chekhov*
The Huntsman by Anton Chekhov*
October 21: Babylon Revisited by F. Scott Fitzgerald+
The Cracked Looking-Glass by Katherine AnnePorter+
November 4: A Dead Body by Anton Chekhov*
Oh! The Public by Anton Chekhov*
November 18: That Will Be Fine by WilliamFaulkner+
Those Are as Brothers by Nancy Hale+
December 2: A Blunder by Anton Chekhov*
Anyuta by Anton Chekhov*
Our first book, 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 Kindle) and The Greatest Short Stories of Anton Chekhov, translated by Constance Garnett; ISBN: 978-93-8971-710-5 in paperback (also available in hardcoverand for Kindle).
SCHEDULE:
+ from 100 Years of the Best American Short Stories
* from The Greatest Short Stories of Anton Chekhov
October 7: A Malefactor by Anton Chekhov*
The Huntsman by Anton Chekhov*
October 21: Babylon Revisited by F. Scott Fitzgerald+
The Cracked Looking-Glass by Katherine AnnePorter+
November 4: A Dead Body by Anton Chekhov*
Oh! The Public by Anton Chekhov*
November 18: That Will Be Fine by WilliamFaulkner+
Those Are as Brothers by Nancy Hale+
December 2: A Blunder by Anton Chekhov*
Anyuta by Anton Chekhov*
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