English Literature Club channel

English Literature Club channel

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Can't Join? @short_story_of_the_week

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Updated: May 25, 2026 at 1:45 PM

English Literature Club channel

Every Wednesday we meet in the library and discuss a short story in English. Here we post best short stories by classic and modern authors for our meetings along with other relevant content and educational materials for English learners.

Follow @short_story_of_the_week to stay updated with the latest library and story trends and news

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English Literature Club channel

Apr 23, 2026, 12:16 PM

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Apr 23, 2026, 12:16 PM

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Story Discussion

"A Good Man Is Hard to Find" by Flannery O’Connor

22 April 2026 at 18:45 (MSK) at https://yandex.ru/maps/org/tsentralnaya_gorodskaya_molodyozhnaya_biblioteka_imeni_m_a_svetlova_molodezhny_mediatsentr/1386622662?si=radjefk8ephp56qy5qp8vynqrr

American writer Flannery O'Connor is a prominent representative of the Southern Gothic genre. In her works, realism turns out to be inextricably linked with the grotesque and the absurd, the characters are distinguished by oddities, quirks and even madness, and faith in God and Christian mysticism often play a decisive role. Sometimes O'Connor's prose was accused of excessive violence, but the writer replied: "I realized that in my stories, the violence, oddly enough, brings my heroes back to reality."

"A Good Man Is Hard to Find" is O'Connor's most famous short story. The plot centers on the Bailey family, who are going on a trip to Florida. Everything starts as usual – arguments, whims, grandmother's moralizing and teenage discontent. But instead of a boring family trip, the heroes will face a real challenge.

If you wish to participate in the discussion, read the story beforehand. The language of the meeting is English.

⚡️⚡️Please don't forget to sign up on https://svetlovka.timepad.ru/event/3928294/

English Literature Club channel

Apr 23, 2026, 12:16 PM

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Story Discussion

"Inhabitants of Venus" by Irwin Shaw

08 April 2026 at 18:45 (MSK) at https://yandex.ru/maps/org/tsentralnaya_gorodskaya_molodyozhnaya_biblioteka_imeni_m_a_svetlova_molodezhny_mediatsentr/1386622662?si=radjefk8ephp56qy5qp8vynqrr

Irwin Shaw (real name Irwin Gilbert Shamforoff, 1913–1984) is one of the most famous American writers of the 20th century, a master of short fiction and novels, whose works have been translated into dozens of languages and have become classics of world literature. Shaw focuses on a man in difficult life circumstances, issues of morality, choice, love, betrayal, and self-discovery. His characters are often ordinary people who find themselves in unusual situations, and the plots are distinguished by psychological depth and realistic dialogues.

The story "Inhabitants of Venus" takes place in the snowy Alps, where the past and present, the joy of life and old traumas collide against the backdrop of the vibrant world of a ski resort. This narrative keeps you in suspense until the last line, making you think about memory, forgiveness, and how our experiences affect us even years later.

If you wish to participate in the discussion, read the story beforehand.

⚡️⚡️Please don't forget to sign up on https://svetlovka.timepad.ru/event/3900094/

English Literature Club channel

Apr 23, 2026, 12:16 PM

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English Literature Club channel

Apr 23, 2026, 12:16 PM

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Story Discussion 15 April 2026 18:45

Tobermory by Saki

Saki (the pen name of Hector Hugh Munro, 1870-1916) was a British writer who looked at Edwardian high society, smiled pleasantly, and then carefully set it on fire. He specialized in witty, savage, and utterly absurd tales where dinner parties go horribly wrong and no one escapes without humiliation.

Our next selection is Saki’s delightfully wicked short story, "Tobermory." It involves a country house party, a scientific discovery nobody asked for, and a feline guest. Prepare yourselves for an evening of social terror and the sort of conversational awkwardness usually reserved for family holidays. That’s what happens when A Cat Walks Into a Tea Party…

If you’d like to join the discussion, please read the story in advance and sign up on https://svetlovka.timepad.ru/event/3917619/

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English Literature Club channel

Apr 23, 2026, 12:16 PM

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Story Discussion

“The Lost Play” by Haru Sukaine

01 April 2026 at 18:45 (MSK) at https://yandex.ru/maps/org/tsentralnaya_gorodskaya_molodyozhnaya_biblioteka_imeni_m_a_svetlova_molodezhny_mediatsentr/1386622662?si=radjefk8ephp56qy5qp8vynqrr

Haru Sukaine is a contemporary Japanese writer and essayist. She studied comparative literature at Waseda University and later completed a graduate program in literary theory at University of Edinburgh. Her work often explores questions of authorship, authenticity, and the relationship between technology and literature.

Sukaine is the author of the short story collection Mirrors Without Faces (2021), which received critical attention for its subtle blending of philosophical ideas and narrative form. She is also the recipient of the Hikari Prize for Emerging Writers (2022) and the Yamamoto Prize for Experimental Fiction (2023).

Her story “The Lost Play” presents a fascinating literary mystery: a newly discovered play attributed to William Shakespeare that captivates scholars - until its origins are called into question. Combining elements of academic drama and philosophical fiction, the story invites readers to reflect on interpretation, authorship, and the nature of literary value in the age of artificial intelligence.

If you wish to participate in the discussion, read the story beforehand.

⚡️⚡️Please don't forget to sign up on https://svetlovka.timepad.ru/event/3890094/

English Literature Club channel

Apr 23, 2026, 12:16 PM

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English Literature Club channel

Apr 23, 2026, 12:16 PM

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Apr 23, 2026, 12:16 PM

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Story Discussion

The Three Strangers by Thomas Hardy

25 March 2026 at 18:45 (MSK) at https://yandex.ru/maps/org/tsentralnaya_gorodskaya_molodyozhnaya_biblioteka_imeni_m_a_svetlova_molodezhny_mediatsentr/1386622662?si=radjefk8ephp56qy5qp8vynqrr

Tomas Hardy (1840-1928) was an English novelist and poet, originally from Dorset. His work is deeply rooted in the fictional region of Wessex, which vividly portrays the rural English countryside of the 19th century. While he saw himself primarily non as a poet, he first gained fame for his novels, which often depicted tragic characters struggling against the immense forces of an indifferent universe, rigid social conventions, and their own passions. Works like Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure were so controversial for their frank pessimism and criticism of Victorian society that Hardy abandoned fiction to focus on poetry, through which he continued to explore his somber, fatalistic vision and became a major influence on later English poets.

In The Three Strangers a stormy night in the English countryside, a cheerful gathering in a lonely shepherd’s cottage, is interrupted by unexpected visitors. As strangers arrive one by one, the warm atmosphere of music, drink, and celebration slowly turns into something far more tense. Let’s dive into this story of chance encounters, hidden identities, and the thin line between justice and fate.

If you wish to participate in the discussion, read the story beforehand.

⚡️⚡️Please don't forget to sign up on https://svetlovka.timepad.ru/event/3876759/

English Literature Club channel

Apr 23, 2026, 12:16 PM

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English Literature Club channel

Mar 29, 2026, 07:35 AM

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English Literature Club channel

Mar 29, 2026, 07:35 AM

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Story Discussion

Geriatric Ward by Orson Scott Card

18 March 2026 at 18:45 (MSK) at https://yandex.ru/maps/org/tsentralnaya_gorodskaya_molodyozhnaya_biblioteka_imeni_m_a_svetlova_molodezhny_mediatsentr/1386622662?si=radjefk8ephp56qy5qp8vynqrr

Orson Scott Card (born August 24, 1951) is an influential American novelist, critic, and public speaker, best known for his work in science fiction. He is the first and only author to win the genre's two most prestigious awards, the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award, in consecutive years for his novel Ender's Game (1985) and its sequel Speaker for the Dead (1986). Raised in a Mormon family and a graduate of Brigham Young University, Card's faith has significantly influenced his writing, which often explores themes of family, community, and morality. Beyond the acclaimed Ender's Game series, his extensive bibliography includes the fantasy series The Tales of Alvin Maker and various historical and religious fiction.

A dystopian future… A war against aging that everything depends on… In his short story Geriatric Ward Card explores the boundaries of human resilience and adaptability, of the pressures of life’s phenomena that people try to find a way to cope with. Will they succeed? Will we?

If you wish to participate in the discussion, read the story beforehand.

⚡️⚡️Please don't forget to sign up on https://svetlovka.timepad.ru/event/3867885/

English Literature Club channel

Mar 29, 2026, 07:35 AM

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Story Discussion

The Daughters of the Late Colonel by Katherine Mansfield

11 March 2026 at 18:45 (MSK) at https://yandex.ru/maps/org/tsentralnaya_gorodskaya_molodyozhnaya_biblioteka_imeni_m_a_svetlova_molodezhny_mediatsentr/1386622662?si=radjefk8ephp56qy5qp8vynqrr

Katherine Mansfield, a pivotal figure in literary modernism, transformed the English short story with her innovative and psychologically nuanced prose. Born in New Zealand, she moved to London in 1908, where she became associated with the Bloomsbury Group and developed a distinctive style marked by impressionistic detail, narrative ambiguity, and a deep exploration of human consciousness and social artifice. She was profoundly influenced by Anton Chekhov, and her best-known works are collected in Bliss (1920) and The Garden Party (1922).

In The Daughters of the Late Colonel, this subtle and haunting modernist story, Katherine Mansfield invites us into a world where silence speaks louder than words and the smallest decisions feel enormous. With delicate irony and psychological precision, she explores what remains after authority fades and routine is disrupted. When life finally opens a door, are we brave enough to step through it?

If you wish to participate in the discussion, read the story beforehand.

⚡️⚡️Please don't forget to sign up on https://svetlovka.timepad.ru/event/3856894/

English Literature Club channel

Mar 29, 2026, 07:35 AM

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Mar 29, 2026, 07:35 AM

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English Literature Club channel

Mar 29, 2026, 07:35 AM

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Story Discussion

"An Inﬁnite Summer" by Christopher Priest

04 March 2026 at 18:45 (MSK) at https://yandex.ru/maps/org/tsentralnaya_gorodskaya_molodyozhnaya_biblioteka_imeni_m_a_svetlova_molodezhny_mediatsentr/1386622662?si=radjefk8ephp56qy5qp8vynqrr

Christopher Priest is a British science fiction writer whose works have become iconic among science fiction and fantasy fans. His work attracts readers with its depth of ideas, originality of images and unexpected plot twists. Among Priest's most famous works is the novel "The Prestige", which was filmed in 2006 by director Christopher Nolan.

The story "An Inﬁnite Summer" is a narrative about how one meeting can change your whole life. On a summer day in 1903, Thomas James Lloyd, a young student, realized that he had found true love. But the happiness was fleeting: a mysterious mechanism froze the moment, leaving the lovers trapped in time.
How does a guy feel when he watches the girl he loves the most in the world being there, but forever out of reach? How does the heart live, trapped in the infinity of the past? We will talk about this at the next meeting of the club.

If you wish to participate in the discussion, read the story beforehand.

⚡️⚡️Please don't forget to sign up on https://svetlovka.timepad.ru/event/3842395/

English Literature Club channel

Mar 26, 2026, 07:03 PM

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Mar 26, 2026, 07:03 PM

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English Literature Club channel

Mar 26, 2026, 07:03 PM

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Story Discussion

Violent Devotion by Gwen Mullins

25 February 2026 at 18:45 (MSK) at https://yandex.ru/maps/org/tsentralnaya_gorodskaya_molodyozhnaya_biblioteka_imeni_m_a_svetlova_molodezhny_mediatsentr/1386622662?si=radjefk8ephp56qy5qp8vynqrr

Gwen Mullins worked in corporate America for nineteen years before coming to her senses and running away to write. Her stories and essays have been featured in New Ohio Review, African American Review, The Bitter Southerner, The New Guard, PANK, and Green Mountains Review, among others.

Violent Devotion is a story inspired by difficult to watch and comprehend news stories of crimes whose perpetrators never get what they deserve. How is it that such people exist among us and don’t get caught or called out before tragedy happens? Mullins with her realistic prose explores the very depths of familial ties and parental love faced with unanswerable questions.

If you wish to participate in the discussion, read the story beforehand. The language of the meeting is English.
The discussion starts at 18.45.

⚡️⚡️Please don't forget to sign up on https://svetlovka.timepad.ru/event/3830102/

English Literature Club channel

Mar 19, 2026, 09:05 AM

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Story Discussion

I Bought a Little City by Donald Barthelme
18 February 2026 at 18:45 (MSK)

“So, I bought a little city and told everybody that nobody had to move…”
What would you do if you could buy an entire city? Plant trees? Improve housing? Rewrite the rules?
In Donald Barthelme’s brilliantly unsettling short story I Bought a Little City, one man does exactly that. But how far does benevolence stretch before it becomes tyranny? And what happens when desire meets the one thing money can’t buy?
This story is short but incredibly dense, absurd and darkly comic.

Donald Barthelme (1931–1989) was one of the most inventive voices of American postmodern fiction. Known for his sharp satire, fragmentation, and playful philosophical tone, he dismantled the language of authority and bureaucracy – often with humour that leaves you laughing and uneasy at the same time. His stories don’t preach, they provoke.

If you’d like to join the discussion, please read the story in advance and sign up on https://svetlovka.timepad.ru/event/3819801/.

English Literature Club channel

Mar 19, 2026, 09:05 AM

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English Literature Club channel

Mar 11, 2026, 07:12 AM

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Story discussion

"The Third Ingredient" by O. Henry

11 February 2026 at 18:45 at https://yandex.ru/maps/org/tsentralnaya_gorodskaya_molodyozhnaya_biblioteka_imeni_m_a_svetlova_molodezhny_mediatsentr/1386622662?si=radjefk8ephp56qy5qp8vynqrr

The master of the short story, O. Henry, known for his unexpected plot twists and subtle humor, occupies a special place in the history of twentieth-century American literature. His works became a kind of standard of genre, inspiring many writers of subsequent generations.

"The Third Ingredient" is a touching and witty story about love, friendship, mutual help and the importance of making the right choice. Hetty and Cecilia's life is not going well – one lost her job, the other was left without inspiration and money. Their destinies intersect by chance, and soon each finds out that she lacks the main secret of cooking happiness. However, the real intrigue begins when a mysterious stranger appears in the hallway... Will he become a savior or ruin the girls' plans?

If you wish to participate in the discussion, read the story beforehand.

⚡️⚡️Please don't forget to sign up on https://svetlovka.timepad.ru/event/3806765/

English Literature Club channel

Mar 11, 2026, 07:12 AM

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Mar 4, 2026, 09:24 PM

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Mar 4, 2026, 09:24 PM

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Story discussion

"Forever and the Earth" by Ray Bradbury

04 February 2026 at 18:45 at https://yandex.ru/maps/org/tsentralnaya_gorodskaya_molodyozhnaya_biblioteka_imeni_m_a_svetlova_molodezhny_mediatsentr/1386622662?si=radjefk8ephp56qy5qp8vynqrr

It is quite common among writers to dedicate their works to their colleagues in literature. Many authors seek to express gratitude to their predecessors or contemporaries who inspired their creativity. The American writer Ray Bradbury, who, in his own words, "graduated from the library" when he was twenty-eight years old, because he could not afford higher education due to poverty and had to draw all his knowledge from library books, is no exception. In a deep and touching story "Forever and the Earth" he pays tribute and admiration to his colleague Thomas Wolfe.

Imagine the world of the distant future. Unsuccessful writer, rich man and passionate book lover Henry William Field decided to embody the impossible: to revive the legendary writer T. Wolfe, so that he would write a novel about space travel. To do this, he invites a scientist, Professor Bolton, who has created a time machine capable of penetrating through centuries and epochs.…

If you wish to participate in the discussion, read the story beforehand.

⚡️⚡️Please don't forget to sign up on https://svetlovka.timepad.ru/event/3776306/

English Literature Club channel

Feb 26, 2026, 12:37 PM

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Dear friends!

Our story discussion will be 4th of February.

Next Wednesday (28th of January) Svetlovka will be closed.

The story will be published later.

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English Literature Club channel

Feb 26, 2026, 12:37 PM

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Feb 19, 2026, 09:09 AM

Story discussion

Jeffty is Five by Harlan Ellison

21 January 2026 at 18:45 at https://yandex.ru/maps/org/tsentralnaya_gorodskaya_molodyozhnaya_biblioteka_imeni_m_a_svetlova_molodezhny_mediatsentr/1386622662?si=radjefk8ephp56qy5qp8vynqrr

“So … there’s this guy, his name is Ellison. Harlan Ellison.
He writes. Brilliantly.
He gives speeches. Brilliantly.
He sues people. They crossed a boundary.
He collects stuff. His house is a museum of culture, pop and otherwise.
He has several shelves full of awards.
He’s charming. Or he pisses people off. There is no inbetween.
That’s how most people know him.”
Foreword by David Gerrold from “A Lit Fuse: The Provocative Life of Harlan Ellison” by Nat Segaloff (2017)

Jeffty Is Five is a famous, award-winning short story by Harlan Ellison, renowned for its poignant exploration of childhood innocence, nostalgia, and the relentless march of time. It won the Nebula Award and The Hugo Award for Best Short Story in 1977 and 1978 respectively, and was nominated for the 1978 World Fantasy Award—Short Fiction. The story was also voted in a 1999 online poll of Locus readers as the best short story of all time. So … what did happen to Jeffty?

If you wish to participate in the discussion, read the story beforehand.

⚡️⚡️Please don't forget to sign up on https://svetlovka.timepad.ru/event/3763940/

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Feb 19, 2026, 09:09 AM

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Feb 12, 2026, 06:02 AM

Story discussion

Dark in the Forest, Strange as Time" by Thomas Wolfe

14 January 2026 at 18:45 at https://yandex.ru/maps/org/tsentralnaya_gorodskaya_molodyozhnaya_biblioteka_imeni_m_a_svetlova_molodezhny_mediatsentr/1386622662?si=radjefk8ephp56qy5qp8vynqrr

Thomas Wolfe (1900–1938) was an American novelist and playwright, one of the representatives of the "lost generation". Despite his short life (the writer died at the age of 37), he managed to leave a rich creative legacy and made a significant contribution to American literature of the early twentieth century.

The story "Dark in the Forest, Strange as Time" is a deep reflection on human existence, connection with nature, the search for happiness and understanding of one's own destiny. In this short work, Thomas Wolfe creates a multi-layered narrative that touches on the eternal questions of being, love and loneliness.

If you wish to participate in the discussion, read the story beforehand.

⚡️⚡️Please don't forget to sign up on https://svetlovka.timepad.ru/event/3755993/ if you are planning to come.

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