Book Swaps Berlin

@ Anna Blume - A cozy book swap and chat meetup!

The "classical" bookswap is simple: * We meet in a café and put the book(s) we brought down on the tables. * We go around to browse and discuss the books with one another while sipping coffee or hot chocolate, or eating cake. * We write our names down on any books we’d like to take home (post-its and pens provided). * At the end of the evening, negotiate any books that are contended and take a new-to-you book home! Books/happiness shared are books/happiness multiplied! A Bookswap is 10 times better than a Book Club because you can talk about ALL the books instead of just one! This is a great way to give your 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, and so on. Moreover, you will meet fellow readers, get a new book or two, and several book recommendations. We’ve often had readers experience books they wouldn't normally buy and enjoy it. GROUP EXPECTATIONS for PLEASANT SWAPPING * Please bring a book! It's not that you bring one you take one, but do try your best to bring something. * Books stay on the tables, open for sharing, until you are ready to leave so that everyone can have a look. We are notably not first come first serve. Please wait until you are leaving to bag the book. * If two or more people want the only copy of a book, negotiate. Maybe one of you reads it first and then gives it to the others. Or perhaps they have found another book instead. Or leave it to fate and toss a coin. The best part: now you have found somebody whose taste you can really admire. In any case, please don't walk away with a book with several names on it without letting the others know. These negotiations are fun and easy, so 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 find interesting. It's not that you bring one you take one; you may take as many as you can negotiate. * Political discussions with consent: make sure the people you are talking to would like to have a political discussion with you. * 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 organizers, and we'll do our best to resolve it. * Lastly, don't expect your book back. It will find a new home. If you love it, let it go. Major LANGUAGES (and genres) of this meetup: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian; Fiction, Non-Fiction, Serious Reading, Light Fun, “classics", Krimis, Booker winners, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Self-Help and more. 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!

Тема №12. Теории эволюции: от эволюции человека до эволюции культуры

**Вопрос (про)чтения** — это берлинский дискуссионный клуб для тех, кто интересуется наукой, философией и научпоп-литературой. Мы встречаемся примерно раз в месяц, каждый раз — с новой темой. Тема заранее объявляется в Telegram-канале: [https://t.me/+1RVY0Ld5ny8zYmZi](https://t.me/+1RVY0Ld5ny8zYmZi) К каждой встрече мы собираем подборку материалов (книги, статьи, лекции), чтобы можно было посмотреть на тему с разных сторон. Можно выбрать один материал из списка или принести свой — и обсудить его вместе с другими участниками. Формат встречи — живая дискуссия: участники делятся идеями, задают вопросы и вместе разбираются в теме. *** 📚 **Вопрос (про)чтения #12. Теории эволюции: от эволюции человека до эволюции культуры** Большинство из нас знакомы с эволюцией по школьному курсу биологии: Дарвин, естественный отбор и происхождение видов. Но за полтора века после публикации «Происхождения видов» представления об эволюции заметно расширились. Сегодня исследователи спорят не только о механизмах биологической эволюции, но и о роли генов, культуры, обучения и среды в развитии человека. ​На этой встрече мы хотим посмотреть на эволюцию как на большую научную идею и проследить, как она развивалась от Дарвина до современных концепций. Нас будет интересовать не только происхождение видов, но и вопросы происхождения разума, человеческого поведения и культуры. ​Почему одни идеи оказываются настолько влиятельными? Можно ли говорить об эволюции культуры так же, как об эволюции живых организмов? Что современная наука знает о происхождении человека и какие дискуссии вокруг эволюционной теории продолжаются до сих пор? ​Предлагаем посмотреть, как разные авторы отвечают на эти вопросы и насколько далеко сегодня распространяется эволюционный подход. *** **Материалы и направления подготовки** [Подборка материалов](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tzMEh0cX4eePp18S4nb6CUlHI_1Adlg61CUHVuDlt6c/edit?usp=sharing) построена так, чтобы можно было посмотреть на эволюцию с разных сторон — от классической теории Дарвина до современных взглядов на культуру и человека. **Можно выбрать один материал — читать всё не нужно.** **Чарльз Дарвин «Происхождение видов».** Главная книга в истории эволюционной теории. Дарвин впервые подробно объясняет механизм естественного отбора и показывает, как из простых изменений могут возникать новые виды. **Николай Кукушкин «Хлопок одной ладонью».** Лауреат премии «Просветитель» и одна из самых известных современных книг об эволюции на русском языке. Кукушкин прослеживает путь от возникновения жизни и первых клеток до появления нервной системы, мозга и человеческого сознания. **Ричард Докинз «Эгоистичный ген».** Одна из самых влиятельных книг современной биологии. Докинз предлагает смотреть на эволюцию с точки зрения генов и объясняет через этот подход конкуренцию, кооперацию и даже альтруизм. **Джаред Даймонд «Ружья, микробы и сталь».** Попытка объяснить, почему разные общества развивались по-разному. Даймонд связывает историю цивилизаций с географией, ресурсами и окружающей средой. **Александр Марков «Как культура сделала нас людьми».** Небольшой цикл лекций о культурной эволюции. Марков показывает, как обучение, передача знаний и социальные практики стали важной частью человеческого развития. В подборке также есть современные научные статьи о происхождении человека, роли культуры в эволюции и критике отдельных аспектов современного дарвинизма. **Ссылка на материалы:** [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tzMEh0cX4eePp18S4nb6CUlHI_1Adlg61CUHVuDlt6c/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tzMEh0cX4eePp18S4nb6CUlHI_1Adlg61CUHVuDlt6c/edit?usp=sharing) *** # ​**Формат встречи** ​Встреча предполагает предварительную подготовку. Пожалуйста, учитывайте это при регистрации. Каждому участнику будет отведено около 5 минут, чтобы рассказать: * ​что именно вы выбрали для чтения или просмотра, * ​какие идеи показались важными или спорными, * ​с чем вам хочется разобраться в обсуждении. *** # ​**Важно** * ​Мероприятие 16+ * ​Вход только по предварительной регистрации. * ​Встреча предполагает уважительное и внимательное общение: мы обсуждаем идеи, а не личности, даём друг другу договорить и сохраняем безопасную атмосферу для обмена мнениями.

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! 
• NO POLITICS. (please.)
Unless you're talking about a book.
It's Friday night. Let's leave current events at the office for once, please.
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!

Monthly Book Club Meeting - June

Dear Book Enthusiasts, For our June gathering, we’ll be reading ***The Summer Book*** by the Finnish writer **Tove Jansson**. First published in 1972, this quiet and deeply moving novel follows the relationship between a young girl and her grandmother as they spend a summer together on a small island in the Gulf of Finland. Through brief, luminous episodes, Jansson explores childhood, aging, nature, solitude, and the subtle bonds between generations with warmth, humor, and extraordinary sensitivity. Gentle yet profound, *The Summer Book* is a celebration of life’s small moments and the beauty of human connection. **📅 Date & Time: Sunday, 14.06.2026 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. Three lovely friends of mine — Miry, Kat, and Cristina — who also happen to be regulars in our book club, kindly agreed to moderate and host this gathering during my absence. I truly hope you’ll join me in giving them a very warm welcome and your support. I’m very much looking forward to hearing all about your discussion and to gathering together again soon. Warmly, Sofya

Women’s Book Club: The Coin by Yazmin Zaher

This time we will be discussing **Yazmin Zaher: The Coin.** We look forward to seeing you! 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. 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.

„Unmöglicher Abschied“ von Han Kang (2024)

Hi, dieses Mal besprechen wir „Unmöglicher Abschied“ von Han Kang (2024). Hier der Link zum Inhalt und Buch : https://www.aufbau-verlage.de/aufbau/unmoglicher-abschied/978-3-351-04184-7 Wir treffen uns diesmal im Fuchsbau nahe Kottbusser Damm. :)

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.*

Türkçe Kurmaca Kitap Kulübü - Pazar Buluşması

Merhabalar, **7 Nisan Pazar 16:00**'da buluşuyoruz. Mekan [März Bar](https://www.maerzberlin.de/). İçeride rahat berjer koltukların olduğu bir oda var, girince solda. **[Schönhauser Allee ringbahn](https://maps.app.goo.gl/oWVqcXtfZM5q69yN9)** durağına yakın, Stargarder üzerinde. Ulaşımın Ring Bahn (S41 ya da S42) ile kolay olacağını düşünüyorum. Her zamanki etkinlik formatı ve tanıtımı aşağıda: **Önemli Not**: Mekanda sınırlı sayıda koltuk olduğu için genelde 8-9 kişi ile sınırlıyoruz etkinliği. **Eğer gelemeyeceksiniz en azından bir gün önceden meetup'taki etkinlik sayfasında etkinlikten kendinizi çıkartmayı unutmayın**. Böylece Pazar günü gelebilecek kişiler kendilerini ekleyebilirler Açık kitap kulubü formatında buluşacağız, detaylar aşağıda, görüşmek üzere! * **Kitap kulübü "açık" formatta. Yani** **belirli bir kitap üzerinden değil**, katılımcıların o sıralarda okudukları ya da bitirdiği bir kitap üzerine paylaşımda bulundukları daha geniş katılımı mümkün kılan bir format. * Kulübü **kurmaca kitaplar kategorisi ile sınırlı tutuyoruz**. **Kurmaca kitaplar kategorisi şunlardan ibarettir: roman, öykü ve şiir. Yani edebi eserler**. Otobiyografi, kişisel gelişim kitapları ya da sosyoloji, psikoloji vs. kitapları kurmaca değildir. * **Kulüpteki Türkçe vurgusu konuşma dili için**. Kitaplar elbette herhangi bir dünya edebiyatına ait olabilir. Herhangi bir dilde de okunabilir. Yine de misafirlerin ana dili ya da ona yakın seviyede Türkçe bildiğini, ortak paydasının Türkçe edebiyat okuru olmak olduğunu varsayıyorum. Herhangi bir ulusa ya da etnisiteye ait olmak değil.

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!

REAL AMERICANS by Rachel Khong (Reading)

Deutschland liest ein Buch - yes, not Berlin but Deutschland now - and there‘s a reading. This event is based on Melanie‘s tip - well spotted, thank you! We two already bought our tickets and started reading. The book seems to be quite popular - there are 15/16 week long waiting lists for the downloadable versions but I am sure you can get lucky in your local library. The reading is 90 min long, you can buy copies of the book and have them signed. Afterwards - if you like - stay with me for a drink and talk about the book (not too long since it is a week night). Infomation of the author, the book and the moderator in the link: https://www.eventbrite.de/e/rachel-khong-in-berlin-reading-talk-tickets-1987050677065?aff=KIWI

June Sci-Fi #2.1: "The Library at Mount Char" by Scott Hawkins (390pp)

meetup #5