English Books & Literature

Agenda: iPad Macs iPhone A.O.B.

Not a Usual Book Club in Luxembourg A place where stories turn into conversations. Do you remember that feeling — when meeting people felt effortless? When conversations went deeper than small talk, and you actually wanted to stay a little longer? We’re creating that space again. This is a book club — but not the kind you’re used to. No long monologues. No pressure to sound smart. No awkward silence. Just people, ideas, and real conversations. ⸻ 📖 This time — Misery a book by Stephen King Before the event, participants will vote, and we’ll go with the option that resonates most. Because it’s not about “assigned reading” — it’s about shared curiosity. ⸻ Important We are not a traditional book club — so don’t worry if you haven’t read the book. We begin with a short and engaging presentation: you’ll get a clear overview of the story, characters, and key themes. After that, each guest receives: • a set of thoughtful, slightly provocative questions • a number for group rotation 💬 You’ll join a small group and spend ~20 minutes discussing deeper topics inspired by the book — not just what happened, but what it means. Then we switch groups. New people. New dynamics. New perspectives. ⸻ ✨ And then — the structure fades away. The rest of the evening is yours: • relaxed conversations • drinks • natural connections ⸻ This is not about literature. And not about dating either. It’s about how stories bring people together. ⸻ If you’re curious, open-minded, and enjoy meaningful conversations — you’ll feel at home here.

Join us in April for a cozy fantasy-horror-paranormal-mystery novel about a woman who flees her life to live in a tiny desert town in the US. *Goodreads summary* With only a few dollars to her name and her beloved dog Copper by her side, Selena flees her past in the city to claim her late aunt’s house in the desert town of Quartz Creek. The scorpions and spiders are better than what she left behind. Because in Quartz Creek, there’s a strange beauty to everything, from the landscape to new friends, and more blue sky than Selena’s ever seen. But something lurks beneath the surface. Like the desert gods and spirits lingering outside Selena’s house at night, keeping watch. Mostly benevolent, says her neighbor Grandma Billy. That doesn’t ease the prickly sense that one of them watches too closely and wants something from Selena she can’t begin to imagine. And when Selena’s search for answers leads her to journal entries that her aunt left behind, she discovers a sinister truth about her new home: It’s the haunting grounds of an ancient god known simply as “Snake-Eater,” who her late aunt made a promise to that remains unfulfilled. Snake-Eater has taken a liking to Selena, an obsession of sorts that turns sinister. And now that Selena is the new owner of his home, he’s hell-bent on collecting everything he’s owed.

In the United States of Africa by Djiboutian author Abdourahman A. Waberi is a satirical, speculative novel that reverses global fortunes. The idea is pretty clear ✏️:set a novel in a parallel reality where the Global South and North are flipped, where Americans, Japanese and Western Europeans rely on handouts from Haitians and Ethiopians.💰💰💰 America suffer from poverty, war, and disease. The narrative follows Malaïka, often called Maya, a european artist adopted by an african doctor, who travels to "Euramerica" to find her roots. The book won the French Voices Award, a prize that supports and promotes French-language works translated into English. It was also shortlisted for the Dublin Literary Award in 2011, a major international prize for world literature.

*Persuasion* is a novel by Jane Austen, published in 1817. This is the story of Anne Elliot, who, years earlier, was persuaded to break off her engagement to the man she loved, Captain Frederick Wentworth, because he was considered an unsuitable match. Eight years later, they meet again. Wentworth is now wealthy and successful, while Anne remains single and quietly regrets her past decision. The novel follows their renewed acquaintance and the lingering emotions between them. Through this story, Jane Austen explores themes such as regret, second chances, social pressure. The discussion will be based on the book.

Dear all, join for this discussion of Frances Ha (2012) directed by Noah Baumbach that follows the path to maturity as Frances Halliday navigates through New York City in pursuit of her dream of becoming a dancer. This black/white comedy-drama stars Greta Gerwig. Join us in the WhatsApp to continue the chat: https://chat.whatsapp.com/IfHxPbLIF2RLldyo1yGwhH NOTE: This discussion doesn't include a film screening. The participants are expected to watch the film prior to joining the discussion. However you can watch Frances Ha with Cinemateque earlier in the week: https://www.cinematheque.lu/fr/programme/cinematheque-film-club/frances-ha

Let’s meet in late April for a gentle, warm, and slightly unpredictable afternoon together.✨ As spring slowly unfolds, we often notice that certain thoughts keep returning, questions, ideas, small concerns, quiet curiosities, or reflections about life that don’t always find space in everyday conversations. This time, we’ll take a moment to explore: **What has been on your mind lately?** ☁️ Not everything needs to be fully clear or resolved. Sometimes it is enough to notice what is present and to hear how others experience their own inner worlds. ⭐ What to expect A small circle of open-minded people, with tea, coffee, or food in hand, sharing reflections, philosophy, psychology, or simply ideas and inspirations that arise naturally in the moment. The topic is gently suggested, and the conversation will flow organically. 🪄 We’ll explore the questions step by step, from light to deeper, in a roundtable format. For example: • What’s your name, where are you from, and what are you doing in Luxembourg? • What has been on your mind lately? • Is there a topic or question you find yourself returning to again and again? • Is this something new in your life, or something that has been present for a long time? • What makes this topic feel important for you right now? • Does this thought feel more exciting, heavy, confusing — or something else? • When this topic comes to your mind, do you usually want to act, understand, or simply observe? • Do you feel you already have clarity about it, or are you still exploring? • Is there something you wish you understood better about this topic? • Has anything recently influenced the way you see this topic? • If this topic evolved in a positive direction, what might feel different in your life? … and whatever else naturally emerges. There’s no pressure to share deeply…listening is just as welcome as speaking. ✨ 📌 Practical details 📍 Venue: Le Quai Steffen – Gare de Luxembourg | Restaurant 📅 Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026 ⏰ Time: 15:00 – 17:00 👥 Group size: Up to 12 people ☕ Food & drinks: Everyone orders and pays individually Since the topic invites reflection, the group will stay intentionally small. If you find that you can’t attend, please cancel your spot so someone else can join. If you enjoy authentic connection, gentle humour, openness to different perspectives, and curiosity about others — not just what they do, but how they see the world — you’re very welcome to join. 🫶

Join for a sketching session in Mudam followed by a coffee at the Museum cafe at 2pm. We will meet at the reception area where we can also leave the jackets/bags in the lockers. Focus will be on the British Japanese artist Simon Fujiwara Exhibition that show-cases the breadth of the artist’s works across painting, film, performance, animation and storytelling. To learn more: https://www.mudam.com/exhibitions/solo-exhibition-2 Fee: Access to the museum is subject to a fee. You can buy your ticket on the day of the meetup at the museum. Lunch: If you would like to have lunch at the museum cafe, it's highly recommended to make a reservation separately. The food is served until 3pm only, after which there are only deserts served (subject to availability). Join the WhatsApp group to keep informed and share your work: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CDtDO1GurPrA4ceFPePeQb

Welcome, readers! Our April read is **_Martyr!_ by Kaveh Akbar.** The story follows a young Iranian American poet grappling with grief, addiction, and the aching question of what makes a life meaningful. Drawn into an unexpected friendship with a terminally ill artist, he begins to confront faith, love, and the seduction of self-destruction. Lyrical, darkly funny, and emotionally piercing, the novel wrestles with beauty and despair in equal measure. It’s a story about longing—to be seen, to be forgiven, and to matter. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

Posting this early because seemingly all Sundays in May are holidays or busy! I picked a shorter thriller that's hopefully a fast read/listen. [Columbus library link to book](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3458940) Location: Grandview Cafe, *1455 W. 3rd Ave*, Columbus, OH 43212 [Menu](https://www.grandviewcafe.com/menu) Book summary: Daniel leads a rich life in the university town of Athens, Georgia. He's got a couple close friends, a steady paycheck working for a regional airline, and of course, for a few glorious days each Fall, college football tailgates. He considers himself to be a mostly lucky guy -- despite the fact that he's suffered from a debilitating disease since he was a small child, one that has left him unable to speak or to move without a wheelchair. Largely confined to his home, Daniel spends the hours he's not online communicating with irate air travelers observing his neighborhood from his front porch. One young woman passes by so frequently that spotting her out the window has almost become part of his daily routine. Until the day he's almost sure he sees her being kidnapped.

Join us for our April Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Stop Me if You've Heard This One](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/stopmeifyouveheardthisone)* by [Kristen Arnett](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/about) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

Let’s meet and share our thoughts about Carson McCullers’ novella, The Ballad of The Sad Café.

This month we’ll be reading Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb. Feel free to come even if you don’t finish the book!

Love getting lost in a good book? [The Book Loft](https://www.bookloft.com/) of German Village is an iconic independent bookstore packed with hard-to-find literary treasures! This isn’t your run-of-the-mill bookstore; it’s a 32-room literary wonderland that would make even the most seasoned bibliophile’s head spin (one of the largest in the country)! **MEET**: We'll gather outside the storefront and then start browsing... **DESSERT**: We'll grab some famous macaroons to start our foodie tour. [Pistacia Vera](https://www.pistaciavera.com/) is a delicious bakery and cafe in the German Village. This charming shop is especially known for its classic macarons. **HAPPY HOUR**: Italian drinks and bites at [Cento's happy hour](https://centogermanvillage.com/menus/). **PARKING**: Street parking all around here. Check the parking time limit. The bookstore and the foodie stops are all on 3rd Street within 4 blocks on the same side of the street.

"The SOB is a ballet dancer. He’s the best ballet dancer that ever lived, and if I get a good chance I’ll kill him with my bare hands." - W.C. Fields In *City Lights*, Chaplin's Little Tramp meets a blind girl selling flowers who mistakes him for a wealthy man. When he learns that an operation may restore her sight, he sets off to earn the money she needs to have the surgery. He also befriends an alcoholic millionaire who only recognizes him when he is drunk. When the blind girl and her grandmother fall behind in the rent and face eviction, he tries working and even enters a boxing competition to raise the money they need. Regarded as Chaplin's masterpiece, *City Lights* has been ranked on more than seventeen "100 greatest movies of all time" lists. Orson Welles cited it as his favorite picture. *City Lights* is available for streaming on Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBOMax, Tubi and PlutoTV. The Columbus Library lists three copies on blu-ray and eight copies on DVD. Watch the movie on your own, then join us upstairs at East Market to discuss the film. If you want more, *Unknown Chaplin* is a three-episode lost-footage documentary available on Youtube. It covers his time on *City Lights* beginning at the twenty-six minute mark of episode two: https://youtu.be/f8960Uc15hI?t=1558