The books in the series "Reading for English Learners" are intended for people who already have a good knowledge of English but want to improve its practical use and also learn new words through texts that are interesting to read but written in relatively simple and commonly used English.
"60 Stories About Life" are 60 interesting stories based on real facts, told in the first person by both women and men; that is; seen from their point of view.
Table of Contents
- 1. Together for Better or for Worse
- 2. Sad Spring
- 3. New Family
- 4. The River of No Return
- 5. Unwanted Marriage
- 6. It’s All About Roses
- 7. Dangerous Love
- 8. A Mysterious Neighbour
- 9. Dinner with a Stranger
- 10. The Selection
- 11. True Liberation
- 12. The Price of Being Single
- 13. The Betrayal
- 14. Broken Oath
- 15. Failed Experiment
- 16. Backup Option
- 17. The Will
- 18. Bitter Taste of a Victory
- 19. An Uncomfortable Chair
- 20. On the Path Again
- 21. Natural Beauty
- 22. A Nasty E-mail
- 23. The Tenth Anniversary
- 24. Painful Revenge
- 25. Unexpected Confession
- 26. The Case of no Significance
- 27. Winter Holiday
- 28. The Evidence of Betrayal
- 29. Too Late
- 30. The Disappointment
- 31. The Moment of Satisfaction
- 32. Mutual Respect
- 33. A Man Without Future
- 34. There Is Only One Path
- 35. The Truth Will Come Out Anyway
- 36. Successful Date
- 37. The Same Husband
- 38. Lost Chance
- 39. Unexpected Situation
- 40. True Love
- 41. I Won
- 42. Difficult Period
- 43. Pre-Wedding Stress
- 44. Forbidden Affair
- 45. Finding Myself
- 46. Ready for New Challenges
- 47. New Standards
- 48. The Man of my Life
- 49. And I Tried So Hard!
- 50. I Can Do It Myself
- 51. The Heart Is Not a Servant
- 52. What Will the Future Bring?
- 53. Internal Conflict
- 54. The Best Revenge
- 55. How to Save Man’s Pride
- 56. Inner Peace
- 57. A Plan for the Future
- 58. Nothing Happened
- 59. I Am with Him Because I Want to
- 60. Trust Takes Years to Build
Objective & Thematic Focal Points
This collection, "60 Stories About Life," aims to enhance English learners' practical language use and vocabulary by providing engaging, simply written narratives. These stories are based on real-life experiences, told from diverse first-person perspectives, offering authentic insights into human emotions and decisions.
- Exploring everyday life scenarios and challenges.
- Delving into complex human relationships, including love, betrayal, and trust.
- Highlighting themes of personal growth, self-discovery, and resilience.
- Presenting real facts and authentic perspectives on life events.
- Facilitating English language acquisition through narrative immersion.
- Encouraging reflection on ethical dilemmas and societal expectations.
Excerpt from the Book
16. BACKUP OPTION
I've never been a big fan of blind dates. It seemed pretty desperate to meet up with a stranger, relying only on someone's assurance [compter uniquement sur l'assurance de quelqu'un] that: "He's a great guy, you'll definitely get along". However, when Martha; my friend, started persuading me [a commencé à me persuader] once again, I gave in. "Try it, what's the harm?" she tried to convince me [elle a essayé de me convaincre] and I, tired of lonely evenings, decided to give it a chance.
The meeting took place in a cozy café in the city center. When I sat down at the table and looked at the man in front of me, I felt a strange excitement. Arthur was charming, talkative and above all, he seemed ... my soulmate [mon âme sœur]. Before I knew it, dates became regular and I started to imagine a future together. Until one day I discovered the truth that brought me brutally back to earth.
I was sitting at the table, nervously stirring my cup of tea with a spoon. I felt like I was on an exam I hadn’t prepared for. Martha assured me that Arthur was “normal,” which was the highest compliment she could give me, but I still had all these nightmare scenarios [scénarios cauchemardesques] in my head. Maybe he would turn out to be a weirdo [et bizarre]? Maybe he would be silent throughout the meeting, or, worse, talk only about himself?
‘Caroline?’ I heard a warm, low voice. I looked up and saw him. He was tall, well-dressed, had a light beard and a smile that immediately disarmed me. He didn’t look like someone who would start boring me with stories about his car or, worse, about his ex-girlfriends.
‘Yes, it’s me,’ I replied and shook his hand. He shook it firmly but gently, then sat down opposite me. I was surprised at how quickly the conversation began to flow naturally. No awkward pauses, no strange comments. Just a conversation between two people who enjoyed each other’s company.
‘Martha said you had an unusual hobby,’ he said with interest. I burst out laughing. ‘If Martha says something, it’s better to divide it in half right away. I like taking pictures of abandoned buildings [bâtiments abandonnés], that’s all.’
‘Sounds interesting,’ he admitted. ‘I have a completely different approach [J'ai une approche complètement différente]. I take pictures of people. I like observing emotions.’ I was intrigued. I didn’t know anyone who had a similar perspective on photography. With each passing minute I felt more and more at ease with him [je me sentais de plus en plus à l'aise avec lui]. There was something in his voice, in his manner, that made me feel like I didn’t have to try hard to make a good impression.
Summary of Chapters
Together for Better or for Worse: This story explores a marriage tested by financial deceit, where a wife uncovers her husband's hidden business loan and struggles with trust and the future of their relationship.
Sad Spring: A biology teacher, who values her solitude, finds her world unexpectedly changed and her emotional limits tested after meeting a student's single mother who is facing personal hardships.
New Family: A woman's lifelong desire for motherhood is confronted with betrayal when her husband reveals he has a son, forcing her to navigate a new family dynamic and redefine love.
The River of No Return: During spring cleaning, a woman discovers her husband's infidelity through messages and photos on his old smartphone, leading her to calmly and decisively end their marriage.
Unwanted Marriage: A man, pressured by family expectations, enters an unfulfilling marriage, only to find relief when his wife's affair provides an unexpected exit from a life he never truly desired.
It’s All About Roses: A wife discovers her husband's affair through roses planted in their garden and devises a plan to expose his betrayal, culminating in a public confrontation with his mistress.
Keywords
Life stories, English learning, relationships, personal development, betrayal, love, independence, marital challenges, self-discovery, emotional struggles, career, family dynamics, communication, trust.Frequently Asked Questions
What is this work fundamentally about?
This work is a collection of 60 first-person narratives, "60 Stories About Life," designed to help English learners improve their language skills while exploring diverse real-life experiences and human emotions.
What are the central thematic fields?
The central thematic fields include relationships (love, betrayal, trust, divorce), personal growth (self-discovery, independence, overcoming challenges), career aspirations, family dynamics, and the complexities of everyday life decisions.
What is the primary objective or research question?
The primary objective is to provide engaging and authentic narratives for English learners to enhance their practical language use and vocabulary. It implicitly explores the varied outcomes of human choices and interactions without a specific research question.
Which scientific method is used?
Given that this is a collection of personal stories rather than a scientific study, it doesn't employ a scientific method. Instead, it uses a narrative approach, presenting subjective, first-person accounts of life experiences.
What is covered in the main part?
The main part consists of 60 distinct short stories, each focusing on an individual's personal journey, experiences with relationships, difficult decisions, betrayals, unexpected situations, and moments of self-realization.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms characterizing this work include "life stories," "English learning," "relationships," "personal development," "betrayal," and "self-discovery."
How does the book contribute to English learning?
The book contributes to English learning by offering texts written in relatively simple and commonly used English, making it accessible for learners to improve practical usage and acquire new vocabulary in an interesting, real-world context.
What kind of characters can readers expect?
Readers can expect a diverse range of characters—both men and women of various ages and backgrounds—each facing unique life circumstances, emotional dilemmas, and moral choices, presented from their individual perspectives.
Is there a common moral or lesson in the stories?
While each story offers its own insights, a common thread is the exploration of consequences stemming from personal choices and external circumstances, often highlighting themes of resilience, the pursuit of happiness, and the complexities of human nature.
How are the stories structured?
Each story is a standalone, first-person narrative, typically beginning with an introduction to the narrator's situation, followed by a conflict or turning point, and concluding with the character's reflections or resolution. They are concise and focus on individual experiences.
- Citation du texte
- Jacek Gordon (Auteur), 2025, 60 Stories About Life. 60 histoires sur la vie, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1661700
