Selected Shorts on KRVS

On this program, marriage and other complicated relationships. A woman confesses and a husband and wife renegotiate in two stories by Sherman Alexie, “Scenes from a Life” and “The Vow,” read by Cynthia Nixon and Amber Tamblyn; people become clouds in a story by Joe Meno, read by Kirsten Vangsness, and guest host Jane Curtin reads “The Storm,” by Kate Chopin.

Guest host Jane Curtin presents two stories about rites of passage—first kisses, in the case of Rick Moody’s whirlwind “The Grid,” read by Josh Radnor, and first poker games in Martha McPhee’s “Anaconda”, read by Lindsay Crouse.

Guest host Jane Curtin talks with Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich of Radiolab about stories they curated for SELECTED SHORTS—Jenny Hollowell’s whirlwind “The History of Everything Including You,” performed by Kyra Sedgwick, and Paul Broks’ “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” in which a man leaves his own life. Jane Curtin reads. And a young boy tries to stop time in “Getting Closer,” by Steven Millhauser, performed by Isaiah Sheffer

Guest host David Sedaris presents two stories about convergence. In Flannery O’Connor’s classic “Everything that Rises Must Converge” two cultures collide, and so do mother and son. The reader is Estelle Parsons. And the heroine of Amy Hempel’s “Jesus is Waiting” is looking for the off ramp to life. Mary Stuart Masterson reads.

Guest host David Sedaris presents two stories about family pressures. Patricia Highsmith is best known as a thriller writer but “The Door is Always Open and the Welcome Mat is Out” is a wonderful character study of a working woman nervously entertaining a judgmental sister. Tandy Croyn reads. In Tobias Wolff’s “Powder,” it’s a father and son, taking an exhilarating drive in a snow storm. SHORTS late host Isaiah Sheffer was the reader.