Book Swaps Berlin

Book Club of Not Knowing

*It makes a vast difference to experientially work it to the best of your ability rather than just hear about it and intellectually understand.* (From Ralston's "Pursuing Consciousness") If you have any interest in consciousness work, contemplation, or discovering who you are, what life is, etc., please read the group description. Everybody is welcome, no matter the familiarity with the matter, as long as there is a genuine interest. **Our agenda** 1\. Briefly getting to know each other 2\. Individually reading for about 20\-30 minutes\. It can be any part of any of Ralston's books or similar material\. *No need to bring anything*. 3\. Sharing what we've read and contemplating each part silently for about 20\-30 minutes\. 4\. More exercises or reading\, depending on the sentiment of the group\. E\.g\.\, dyads\, meditation\, etc\. 5\. Sunset & dinner at the awesome Café Pilz close by \(reservation for 20:45\) We won't share the "results" of our contemplations, unless somebody feels the need or thinks it might be valuable for the group. The reason for this is to avoid pressure during the contemplation, that can arise if we know we'll "have to" share what we "achieved". If you can, bring something to sit on and a phone/eReader with the Book of Not Knowing (or similar) downloaded.

Berlin Book Swap in the Park - BYOB (book, blanket, beverage) weather depending!

The one nice new feature that lockdown gave us -- picnic swap! Bring books to swap, a blanket to sit on, and beverages of your choice! Let's enjoy the brief Berlin Summer at beautiful Monbijou park on the Spree. WEATHER DEPENDENT - if it rains we will reschedule so keep an eye out. ***And here's our usual description -*** The "classic" bookswap is simple - we meet in a café, you bring the book(s) you want to share, put them on the table, leaf through and discuss the books that others brought and, at the end of the evening, take a new-to-you-book home! Books/happiness shared are books/happiness multiplied! This is a great way to give books a new home and make room for new books: that book you feel guilty for not having read even though it's been sitting on your bedside table for the last 5 years, the book you liked but didn't love, the book you loved so much you want everyone to read it, the book you somehow own three copies of, that book you absolutely hated even though everyone else loves it, etc., etc., etc.... And chances are high you'll go home with an alluring stranger you never would have thought of reading before (OR that book you've been lusting after for years but never enough to actually buy!). **GROUP EXPECTATIONS for PLEASANT SWAPPING** • Please bring a book! Some people bring more than one, and the organizers usually have a handful, but if everybody ends up not bringing a book, we have nothing to swap, except stories. But we won't chase you away if you're empty handed. • Books stay on the table, open for sharing, until you are ready to leave so everyone can have a fair look See a book you like? Please put your name down as a candidate to take it home (we provide sticky notes!), and wait to see if anybody else is interested before snapping it up, as in, please wait until you are leaving. One of the key aspects of the swap is getting exposed to books outside of our library bubble, so it's important to keep the books as open to sharing as possible. If two or more people want the only copy of a book, talk it over. Maybe you can swap contact info to share the book one after the other. Or maybe it turns out one of you isn't that interested, or has found another book instead. Or one of you REALLY wants to read it. The best part: now you have found somebody whose taste you can really admire. We consider it poor form to walk away with a book with several names on it without letting the others know. Also, don't be shy! Don't shy away from a book because there's already a name on it, and feel free to put your name on as many books as you want. We're more generous than just bring-one-take-one. • Book Swap is 10 times better than a Book Club because you can talk about ALL the books instead of just one! Half the fun of Book Swap is swapping recommendations for reads that aren't even on the table. The other half is meeting other great readers. Another half is taking home that new book! • Politics with Consent If you want to discuss politics, please check whether the people around you are comfortable talking about politics. Please respect this space as first and foremost a community for connecting readers over their love of books and reading, stories, and narratives of all sorts. Please be respectful of tastes and opinions. If something is bothering you, please reach out to the organisers, and we'll do our best to solve it. • Don't expect your book back: if you love it, let it go In spirit, this is an opportunity to share=lend books among peers. In practice, this is more of a book-giveaway. It is NEVER guaranteed you will get your book back, even with your name and email inside the book with a "Please Return." If you're really serious, it's best to get the borrower's contact info and prod them for it. Note: our staunch "Regulars" are significantly more likely to come back with the book if you ask them (and you have to come back too!). On the other hand, some books keep coming back like bad pennies. • Major LANGUAGES (and genres) of this meetup English, German, French, Spanish; Fiction, Non-Fiction, Serious Reading, Light Fun, Everything! On average I think it's 60% English, 40% German, and 10% French/Spanish; usually 80% fiction, but the mix is different every time. One of the best compliments the group has received is the consistently high quality of reading material on the table. We have "classics," we have celebrity book club books, Krimis, Booker winners, and everything in between. You never know who can read what languages, and there's no accounting for taste. We are a delightful and international group of readers. We look forward to swapping with you!

Women’s Book Club: Christopher Isherwood: Goodbye to Berlin

This week we are discussing **Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood.** We look forward to seeing you! Please remember to cancel your participation in good time if you are not coming. This will give someone else enough time to read the book and come to the meeting. Just a heads up: **The cafe only accepts card payments for amounts over €10**, so you may want to bring some cash for smaller orders. If you have book suggestions, would like to vote on our next reads, or join us for additional activities, please ask someone at the meeting to add you to our WhatsApp group.

Book Club Meeting 8 - Taiwan Travelogue by Yang Shuang-Zi

***Goal*** Hey there Readers! August calls for a slower, more romantic read so we'd love you to join us and enjoy this award-winner together. Travel, food and language will be the name of the game! IMPORTANT: Bring a little sketch or drawing that was inspired by the book! ***Schedule*** 18:00 - Arrival and chitchats 18:20 - Small introduction of the book and first thoughts 18:30 - General discussion 19:00 - Show your drawing/painting! 19:30 - Further discussion and choice of the book for November

Reading Party ☕️📚

\*\*\*\*\*\* ***For address and more details see the website www.pausify.org*** \*\*\*\*\*\* **Event Info:** Pausify is the **biggest community and most active** of book lovers and creatives in Berlin. Impressions: Instagram: **[@Pausify (Co-Reading Space)](https://www.instagram.com/pausify_org/)** Events happen every Sat and Sun at 11 AM. Bring along your **current book to read** (or something **creative** to work on) and join us for this mix of a shared focus time + discussion. \- 11:00\-11:30 \- Meet & greet \- 11:30\-12:30 \- Silent focus time \- 12:30 \- Discussion of books/ projects over coffee Afterwards, join for lunch if you'd like (optional). **Drinks & snacks are included** ☕️ * **To reserve your place, a ticket (€9,90/event) or a community pass (only €17,90/MONTH) [from the website ](https://pausify.org/)*www.pausify.org* is required** * **Attendance here doesn’t show all sign-ups from other platforms. We usually have about 50 to 100 people at each event.** ***FAQ: Why does it cost money if I bring my own project?*** Because we rent a beautiful, central space for every event. Ever thought your monthly apartment rent was too high? Well, multiply that – that’s what commercial spaces in big cities like Berlin cost *per hour*. Of course, if all you want is just some quiet time, your home or a library is perfect. But if you’d like to focus & connect with others in an inspiring space – with drinks, snacks included – that’s what your ticket helps to cover. See pics from our events below - and on our Instagram: **[@Pausify (Co-Reading Space)](https://www.instagram.com/pausify_org/) ☕️** **[Pausify Co-Reading Space Website](https://pausify.org/) www.pausify.org** For questions, please contact us over [Website ](https://pausify.org/) www.pausify.org as this platform can have issues. Thank you! *Please note that photos and videos may be taken during the event and used for promotional purposes to highlight and share the experiences at our events. If you have concerns, don't hesitate to approach the event organizers before the event.*

„Lust“ von Elfriede Jelinek (1989)

Hi, dieses Mal besprechen wir „Lust“ von Elfriede Jelinek (1989). Hier der Link zum Inhalt und Buch : https://www.rowohlt.de/buch/elfriede-jelinek-lust-9783499130427?srsltid=AfmBOop7cfV2OObSmZjQGbV1LV9udMNX3Dzv6vm0yqb14D4WiZ2xiFSK Wir treffen uns diesmal im Café Chagall nahe U-Bahnhof Senefelder Platz. :)

„Sehr blaue Augen“ von Toni Morrison (1970)

Hi, dieses Mal besprechen wir „Sehr blaue Augen“ von Toni Morrison (1970). Hier der Link zum Inhalt und Buch : https://www.rowohlt.de/buch/toni-morrison-sehr-blaue-augen-9783499012518?srsltid=AfmBOoq0Ik6M4E3xcAdsmq1kaQ5vft_up0ynhoPIQHfHdCN5zFq3wW3Z Wir treffen uns diesmal im Café Tirree nahe U-Bahnhof Birkenstraße. :)

Book Club/Reading Together @Tales Untold in Friedrichshain

Hi all, Let's meet again on another Sunday morning. Agenda: 10:30-11:00 Arrival, ordering drinks, getting to know each other 11:00-12:00 Reading together 12:00-13:00 Share reading experience There is no books assigned. Just bring whatever you are reading for now. Please sign up only when you can join the event. Have fun!

Women’s Book Club: The Vegetarian by Han Kang

This week we are discussing **Han Kang:** The Vegetarian. If you have book suggestions, would like to vote on our next reads, or join us for additional activities, please ask someone at the meeting to add you to our WhatsApp group. Just a heads up: **The cafe only accepts card payments for amounts over €10**, so you may want to bring some cash for smaller orders. **Also, if you're unable to attend, please update your RSVP so that someone from the waiting list can take your spot.**

August Sci-Fi #2.2: "The Stars are Legion" by Kameron Hurley (400pp)

Climate Within Book Reading Zone at Rooftop Flea Market Berlin

Climate Within is coming to the vibrant Rooftop Flohmarkt with a 3 days Book Reading Zone. Come and join us to take a refreshing pause for the mind over the weekend. Amidst great food, music, and energy, we’re creating a Free Book Reading Zone—a calm and inviting space to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with yourself. Hosted by the Climate Within group, this space is for anyone who feels that nourishment is not just about the body, but also about the mind and inner clarity. 📚 What to expect: •⁠ ⁠A curated selection of books across different themes available with a small amount of donation (to sustain our work ❤️) •⁠ ⁠A common thread: self-reflection and deeper understanding •⁠ ⁠Small, engaging activities to spark thought and conversation •⁠ ⁠A relaxed atmosphere with music and open exchange ✨ If you’re looking for food for thought, not just food for the body, this space is for you. Come by anytime, stay as long as you like, read, reflect, or simply sit and absorb. 📅 **4 Sept - 6 Sept 2026** 🕒 Time: **17:00 – 22:00 HRS (4th & 5th Sept)** **11:00 - 16:00 HRS (6th Sept)** 📍 Location: **Gesundbrunnen-Center**, **Berlin** Note: There is 2 EURO entry fees to the Flea market where we have our free book reading zone.

Silent Reading Club

Ditch the old book club, where everyone has to read the same book...this is better! It works like this: Bring your own book. Come chat, have some tea or coffee, get to know your neighbors. Then we quietly read together, side by side, for about one hour, each one reading their own book, and afterwards we talk with each other about what we are reading. The usual agenda: - Arrival and introduction (~20 minutes) - ⁠Silent reading (~1 hour) - ⁠Discussion (~30-40 minutes) - ⁠Join us for a bite at a local restaurant afterwards, if you like! You may read in any language, you may read any book. We are a group of international residents of Berlin from many different countries, of all ages, and we converse in English. We welcome you! No registration needed – the event is donation based. All funds support the Offenes Wohnzimmer.