Southern writers of the 20th century produced a distinctive American literary tradition and a highly praised body of writing that includes many classic short stories. This discussion group will read a number of those stories and discuss them in a relaxed and engaging group atmosphere.

Participants should plan to read 4-5 stories per month prior to each group discussion session. Stories for the September session will be announced to participants no later than August 19.

Southern authors to be discussed over the four group sessions are James Agee, Erskine Caldwell, Alice Childress, William Faulkner, Ernest Gaines, Nancy Hale, Zora Neale Hurston, Flannery O'Connor, Alice Walker and Eudora Welty. Biographical information on each author will be available at the session when his or her work is reviewed.

Group Text

Abbott, Dorothy and Koppelman, Susan, Eds. The Signet Classic Book of Southern Short Stories (paperback). Penguin (Signet Classics Series): 2005. ISBN-13: 9780451523952. The text is available online from Amazon or Barnes & Noble for $8.95, excluding any member discounts.

Participants are asked to purchase their own text. If a copy is not available locally and you prefer not to order online, Barnes & Noble Booksellers on US Highway 70 can order a copy for you. Please allow 7-10 days for delivery.

Discussion Leader

Chuck Adair has been an avid reader of novels, short stories and plays over his lifetime. He enjoys facilitating non-technical, personal discussions among people who enjoy sharing their reactions to intellectually intriguing and emotionally evocative texts. Dr. Adair holds degrees from Princeton (A.B.), Union Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Kansas University (Ph.D., social psychology).

Dates and Location

The group will meet on Wednesday afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m. on

• September 16
• October 14
• November 11
• December 9

Location will be Appalachian Center at Hickory, located on the East Campus of Catawba Valley Community College, 2760 US Highway 70 SE in Hickory, behind Northern Tool.

To Register

Registration is available to adults of all ages by phone, mail, or online through September 10. (After September 10, please register by phone only.) Click a payment option below to print out a mailable registration form or to register online. To register by phone, call 828-324-6966, ext. 2001.

Cost for this four-session event is only $30 per person, or $25 each for groups of two or more registering together, (plus self-purchased text) and is payable by credit card, check, or PayPal account.

Cancellation Policy

You may cancel your registration on or before September 10, 2009. After September 10, no refunds will be given; however, substitutions are welcome. We reserve the right to cancel this program in the event of unforeseen circumstances or low enrollment. If a course is cancelled, a full refund of the registration fee will be given.