Short Stories Book Club: Charles by Shirley Jackson & Teddy by JD Salinger

About this event

This is a Short Story "Book" Club that focuses on sci fi/fantasy and horror short stories or novelettes. This month we are reading "Charles" by Shirley Jackson and "Teddy" by JD Salinger (though not scifi/horror, this story is surreal and open to a lot of interpretation.)

Links to Stories: "Charles" by Shirley Jackson Link to read the story free online: https://short-stories.co/@shirleyjackson/charles-pd3zx6e3z15q

“Teddy” by JD Salinger Link to read/listen to the story free online: https://short-stories.co/@j.d.salinger/teddy-n67vdj2jgv1d

About the Authors: Shirley Jackson ((1916–1965) was an American novelist and short story writer known for psychological horror, mystery, and Gothic fiction. In just over two decades she completed six novels, wrote two humorous family memoirs, and produced more than 200 short stories. Critics note the contrast between her comic domestic voice and her dark fiction about disorder beneath ordinary routines.

JD Salinger (1919 - 2010) made an indelible mark on American literature primarily through his novel "The Catcher in the Rye." Published in 1951, this seminal work captures the disillusionment of post-war America through the eyes of its disenchanted teen protagonist, Holden Caulfield. Salinger's narrative style—intimate, conversational, and deeply introspective—has influenced generations of writers and storytellers. Besides "The Catcher in the Rye," Salinger published several collections of short stories, including "Nine Stories" and "Franny and Zooey," exploring themes of angst, alienation, and human connection. Renowned for his reclusive lifestyle, Salinger published his last work in 1965 and lived a private life until his death on January 27, 2010. His reluctance for public life and the media has added an aura of mystery around his persona, making his literary contributions all the more compelling.

From Tucson Social Introverts & Nerds (20s, 30s, and 40s)