THE ART OF THE SHORT STORY

Do you love stories that spark thought and connection? Discover what makes us uniquely human in a world crowded with social media, artificial intelligence, and surface connection. Join this monthly, read-aloud group to dive deep into the human condition – agency, purpose, empathy, courage & perseverance, love, justice, death & mortality, good vs. evil, coming of age, survival, redemption, revenge & forgiveness, and free will vs. fate – especially as AI reshapes our world. Reflect on humanity’s essence in Aiken’s increasingly tech- driven world, from SRS’s innovations to AI’s rise in society and the economy.

Listen, read, or discuss – make it your own! No reading aloud experience or prep is required – just bring your curiosity! Read, reflect, and reconnect with what makes us human! Bond with neighbors, from high-schoolers and USC Aiken students to retirees, in a cozy, inclusive setting.

Perfect for busy schedules, each story will be a complete, thought-provoking experience. We’ll read aloud and discuss short stories (15- 20 minutes each) by Ray Bradbury, Shirley Jackson, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and other writers.

September Story
There Will Come Soft Rains, by Ray Bradbury, depicts a fully automated house continuing its daily routines in a post-apocalyptic world after a nuclear disaster has wiped out humanity. The story is included in THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES and in THE STORIES OF RAY BRADBURY, which are available as FREE digital downloads using your ABBE library card on hoopla Digital or Cloud Library

Sponsored by the Palmetto State Literacy Association and the Aiken County Public Library.

Contact Aiken County Public Library at 803-642-2020, ext 3