Philip Pullman has opened a podcast series on the Guardian’s website, which features famous authors reading their favourite short stories. Pullman’s choice is The Beauties, written by Russian author, playwright and physician, Anton Chekhov. Talking about the story, Pullman notes how little short stories actually need plots, and how he, an author well known for his intricate plot work, has never been able to successfully write a short story.

Other podcasts in the series include Jeanette Winterson reading Italo Calvino’s The Night Driver, Margaret Drabble reading Katherine Mansfield’s The Doll’s House and William Boyd reading JG Ballard’s My Dream of Flying to Wake Island.

Thanks to BlackSatinDancer for letting us know.