Favorite Short Story collections

Many of our neighbors and friends in Berkeley and nearby environs are preoccupied during the week, working full-time, parenting, and if retired, keeping up with a cultural bouquet of activities in the East Bay.

For those who want to escape the weekday pressure cooker to nourish relaxed weekend friendships and community, we recommend the foliage-framed setting of Espresso Roma Cafe, which is the backdrop of our short story reading and discussion group.

Participants from all walks of life and with diverse interests have been enjoying fruitful literary exchanges for the past 6 months on alternate Sundays, (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and we're just at the beginning of our sojourn.

Jhumpa Lahiri's Unaccustomed Earth was our earliest foray that provided a colorful contrast in cultures as the author juxtaposed the mores and customs of India with that of the West. The challenges of generational emigration, with its vividly described dual cultural immersion, ambivalence, conflict and adjustment resonate through the collection.

Another literary favorite in the short story genre is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's The Thing Around Your Neck which attaches an inspiring Ted Talk by the author that afforded lively conversation.

https://youtu.be/D9Ihs241zeg

Adichie successfully profiles the Nigerian cultural experience as it unfolds through various characters who've emigrated to the U.S., and she reflects upon their changed lives in a set of well-written stories. Reviewer, Dr. Jennifer Mintner aptly summarizes the author's theme: "The loss of African traditions, exposure to Western lifestyles and values, immigration and globalism present many challenges for Adichie’s main characters who are often unable to define and articulate their anxieties and the “thing” around their neck(s)."

http://www.englishworks.com.au/summary-thing-around-neck/

Our group members have offered many inspired choices in the course of our half year gatherings, and these have included the works of James Joyce (Dubliners), Sherman Alexie's, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven (that fleshes out the Native American culture in Spokane Washington); Bernhard Schlink's Flights of Love set against the backdrop of the fallen Berlin Wall; and many more reading treasures.

Most of all we continue to enjoy each other's good company as we form friendships; grow our literary awareness; and relish the lovely backdrop and delectable edibles of Espresso Roma Cafe. It's located across the street from the Monterey Market.

So come join us this Sunday, April 10th (11 a.m.) even if you haven't read our current assignment in the Alexie collection. We're interested in expanding interest and hearing about your favorite short story authors and writings.

LOCATION: Espresso Roma Cafe, 1549 Hopkins Street, Berkeley CA 94707

Please contact me for further information regarding our current selection for April 10th. We will next meet on Sunday, April 24th at 11 a.m. with a new reading posted. To obtain the latest short story updates, please email me:

Shirley Kirsten

shirley_kirsten@yahoo.com