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.

Monthly Book Club Meeting - September

Dear Book Enthusiasts, For our September gathering, we’ll be reading ***The House on the Hill*** by the Italian writer **Cesare Pavese**. This atmospheric and deeply introspective novel explores loneliness, desire, memory, and the experience of war. Set in Turin during the final years of the Second World War, it follows Corrado, a solitary teacher who finds himself increasingly drawn into the lives of people around him as the city is transformed by violence and uncertainty. Through his perspective, Pavese creates a haunting meditation on isolation, responsibility, and the difficulty of truly connecting with others. 📅 Date & Time: Sunday, 13.09.2026 at 15:00 📍 Location: Audrey coffee, Holzendorffstraße 18, 14057 Berlin 💬 Fee: As always, a 3 € contribution after the meeting helps cover organization costs. As I mentioned in earlier announcements, due to personal reasons I will not be able to attend a few upcoming meetings. A lovely friend of mine — Tereza, who happens to be a connoisseur of literature, kindly agreed to moderate and host this gathering during my absence. I truly hope you’ll join me in giving her your support. I’m very much looking forward to hearing all about your discussion and to gathering together again soon. Warmly, Sofya

„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. :)

„Liefern“ von Tomer Gardi (2026)

Hi, diesmal lesen wir „Liefern“ von Tomer Gardi. Hier Informationen zu Buch und Autor: https://www.klett-cotta.de/produkt/tomer-gardi-liefern-9783608502633-t-932 Wir treffen uns in der Festival Kitchen (Café) des ILB im Haus der Berliner Festspiele. :)

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!

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.

Queer Book Club

📚 **Join our Queer Book Club!** 📚 Love getting lost in stories? Come read, laugh, and think with us! Our Queer Book Club is a welcoming space to explore books by queer authors and stories that celebrate LGBTQ+ lives, histories, and imaginations. Together, we’ll share insights, swap favorite reads, and dive into lively conversations—whether you’re a page-turning speed reader or a slow savorer of words. Beyond the books, you’ll find connection, community, and plenty of new friends who share your love of queer storytelling. Bring your curiosity and your bookshelf—we can’t wait to read with you!

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.

Offener Leseabend

## Wo & Wann? **JEDEN MONTAG** findet die offene Lesebühne des Autorenforums Berlin statt (außer an Feiertagen) **BEGINN**: 20:00 Uhr **ANMELDUNG zum Lesen: ab 19:30 Uhr** beim Moderator des Abends – siehe [Termine](http://autorenforum-berlin.de/wordpress/termine/); Die Teilnahme an der Veranstaltung ist kostenlos. **SCHWARTZSCHE VILLA** **Großer Salon** Direkt am S/U Rathaus Steglitz Grunewaldstr. 55 Der offene Leseabend stellt das Herzstück des Autorenforums e.V. dar. Er steht nicht nur Mitgliedern, sondern grundsätzlich jedem Autor und jeder Autorin offen, der gerne einen unveröffentlichten Text vor Publikum präsentieren möchte. Auch Kritik kann jedermann üben. Wer lieber zuhören möchte, kann einfach am Montagabend um 20.00 in der Schwartzschen Villa erscheinen. Für Lesewillige gilt die unten stehende ausführliche Information (mündliche Anmeldung ab 19:30 Uhr). *Unfortunately at the moment, it's only possible to present German texts. Unpublished texts that are already translated into German are highly welcome!* ## Was erwartet Sie? Im Großen Salon der Schwartzsche Villa treffen Sie auf einen Kreis von Literaturbegeisterten, die Ihrem Text eine ernsthafte und fundierte Kritik spenden. Das Publikum wechselt. Es ist gemischt, geeint durch das Interesse an Texten. Die Autorinnen und Autoren des Abends lesen aus ihren bislang unveröffentlichten Kurzgeschichten, lyrischen Texten, Erzählungen, Romanen, manchmal auch aus Theaterstücken. Die Autoren stellen nicht sich selbst, sondern ihre Texte der Kritik. Wir verstehen uns als Arbeitsbühne. Deshalb wird bei uns nach den Lesungen nicht geklatscht. Die Texte werden nach der Lesung des Autors auf handwerkliche Stärken und Schwächen „abgeklopft“. Es geht im Forum daher nicht um weltanschauliche Debatten. Im Idealfall hat der Autor/die Autorin nach einer Lesung und der Kritik verstanden, wo die Stärken und Schwächen seines Textes liegen, woran es seinem Text noch fehlt, was er ändern sollte und wo er bei seiner Überarbeitung ansetzen kann. Der Abend endet gegen 22.00. Im Anschluss können Sie mit den Autoren im Café der Schwartzschen Villa noch ins Gespräch kommen und manches aus dem Literaturbetrieb erfahren. Wir sind im Kontakt auch mit namhaften Vertretern desselben. Also – nicht gleich verschwinden! Dranbleiben. Reden Sie mit den Forumianern! ## Sie möchten selbst lesen? Wenn Sie selbst im Autorenforum lesen wollen, gibt es einige Dinge zu beachten. Wir bitten Sie sehr herzlich, sich mindestens einmal vor Ihrer ersten Lesung bei uns mit unseren Gegebenheiten vertraut zu machen. Ihren Lesewunsch können Sie dann ab 19.30 Uhr (Einlass) bei der Moderatorin oder dem Moderator eines Leseabends anmelden. **Wir weisen ausdrücklich daraufhin, dass über die Annahme und Reihenfolge der Lesungen die jeweiligen Moderatoren entscheiden und es NICHT zwingend nach der Reihenfolge der Anmeldungen geht!** In der Regel reicht die Zeit nur für drei Autoren je Abend und die Nachfrage ist oft recht hoch. Falls Sie einen lyrischen Text vortragen möchten, bringen Sie bitte mindestens 10 (zehn) Kopien mit, damit Ihr Publikum mitlesen kann. Die Kopien erhalten Sie selbstverständlich zurück. # Wie üben wir Textkritik? Nach der Idee von Maik Turni ## **Anschleichen** **Wie wirkt der Text auf mich?** (Keine Angst vor Adjektiven! ) **Was habe ich gehört?** (Zusammenfassung (Nacherzählung)) **Was blieb unverstanden** (akustisch oder logisch) ## **Unter der Lupe** **Was ist das für ein Text?** (Prosa: Genre? Lyrik: Welche Art lyrischer Text?) **Thema** (Welches Thema berührt der Text? Hat der Autor sein Thema im Griff? Ist es überzeugend/plausibel/gut recherchiert, vielleicht sogar zu faktenreich?) **Figuren** (Wie wirken die Figuren? Wer ist die Hauptfigur? Welches Problem hat die Hauptfigur?) **Perspektive** (Wie verhält sich die Erzählperspektive zum Thema / zu den Figuren?) **Sprache** (Welche Bilder sind stimmig / welche nicht? Was lässt sich zum Rhythmus sagen? Sind die Sätze syntaktisch und grammatikalisch korrekt?) **Dramaturgie** (Schafft der Text es, Spannung zu erzeugen? In welcher Reihenfolge werden die Dinge erzählt?) **Bedeutung** (Gelingt es dem Autor, die Bedeutung, die er seinem Text geben will, auch im Leser entstehen zu lassen?) ## **Klarspüler** Fragen werden an den Text gestellt, nicht an den Autor! Daher sollte der Text antworten. ## **Weichspüler** Wird bei uns nicht verwendet. Aber es gilt: Nicht der Autor wird kritisiert, sondern der Text! Hart zum Text, sanft zum Autor!