The Art of the Short-Story – New Monthly Program

THE ART OF THE SHORT-STORY: HUMAN STORIES, HUMAN TRUTHS, HUMAN CONNECTIONS
1st Thursday of each month, starting September 4th, 6:00 PM – 7:30PM.

Discover what makes us uniquely human in a world crowded with social media, artificial intelligence, and surface connection. Love stories that spark thought and connection? Join our new read-aloud group at the Aiken County Public Library to explore short stories that 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.

We’ll read aloud and discuss short stories (15- 20 minutes each) by authors like Ray Bradbury, Shirley Jackson, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and others. No prep needed – just bring your curiosity!

Why Join?

• Engage with Big Ideas: 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.
• Connect with the Community: Bond with neighbors, from high-schoolers and USC Aiken students to retirees, in a cozy, inclusive setting.
• Short & Sweet: Perfect for busy schedules, each story is a complete, thought-provoking experience.
• Ages 15 and up are Welcome: No reading aloud experience is required. Listen, read, or discuss – make it your own!
• First Story: “There will come Soft Rains”, by Ray Bradbury, that depicts a fully automated house continuing its daily routines in a post-apocalyptic world after a nuclear disaster has wiped out humanity.

Details:
Free to attend
Copies of the stories are available at the library or online.
Contact Aiken County Public Library at 803-642-2020, ext. 5 for more details.

Get Involved:
Aiken, let’s read, reflect, and reconnect with what makes us human!

Sponsored by the Palmetto State Literacy Associations and the Aiken County Public Library. Accessibility accommodations available – call ahead.