Budapest Silent Book Club

Hello everyone,

We're excited to be back at the Magnet Community House for our next session!

An Experiment: Securing Our Own Space
To make our experience even better, we're trying something new this time. We have reserved a private area for three hours: the "Könyvkuckó" (Book Nook), the section with the bookshelves next to the café, and the children's room. This guarantees us a dedicated and quieter space to read and connect.

The cost for this reservation is 8250 HUF. To cover this, we are introducing a voluntary contribution of 500-1000 HUF per person.

Here’s how it works:

• It's completely optional. This is a trial run. Your presence is what matters most, so please don't feel obligated to contribute.
• Why we're doing this: This model allows us to have a confirmed, comfortable space without being squeezed into a busy café and removes any pressure to buy drinks or food.
• How to contribute: You can contribute via Revolut or with cash at the event.
• Transparency: All contributions will go directly to the venue booking fee. Any surplus will be put towards our Meetup group's subscription costs. After these initial trial sessions, I will share a public spreadsheet to track all funds.

If this experiment doesn't work out, we can always return to the café model with a slightly smaller group. Your feedback will be essential!

What to Expect at the Venue:

For those who are new, here’s a quick summary based on past feedback:

• The Good: The Magnet House is spacious and the staff is welcoming. There is also a nice café on-site for drinks and snacks.
• Please note: The café's opening is not guaranteed, as it typically opens only when there are at least 2-3 events running concurrently in the building. However, as we head into the colder months, Sundays are often busier, so there's a good chance it will be open for us. We still recommend bringing a water bottle just in case!
• The Pro-Tips: While our reserved area should be quieter, the building's inner courtyard is a public space and can have some background buzz. If you're sensitive to noise, headphones might still be a good idea. Also, a member-tested tip: the chairs are more functional than comfy, so feel free to bring a cushion for maximum reading comfort!

Agenda:

• 14:00 - 14:30 – Introductions & Settling In: Grab a seat, get a drink if you like, and we'll go around the circle to briefly share what book you brought and why you chose it.
• 14:30 - 15:30 – Quiet Reading Hour: Time to dive into your book and enjoy an hour of uninterrupted reading.
• 15:30 - 16:30 – Social Time & Discussion: Share your impressions of what you read, discuss any interesting quotes, or simply chat with fellow book lovers.

Whether you're a regular or a first-timer, you are welcome. The goal is simple: to take a break from our busy lives to read and connect with others.

We look forward to seeing you there!