Books and Drinks

Nongkrong sambil berbahasa Prancis! Niveau minimum : A2 mais tout le monde est bienvenu ! Au programme mardi 2 juin ! Juste pour 19 participants !

Hello, we already have members, so the game is always on!! New Normal for JEB Badminton To support government maintaining restrictions to contain the spread of COVID-19, JEB will update the regulations by setting the game with limited player and applied the following conditions : Fee Join = Rp. 80.000,- / person with max 8 players /court . 2 courts' court no 6&7 Cancellation Policy : A. More than 10 hours before game - no penalty / charge from Fee Join. B. Less than 9 hours before game - a half penalty / charge from Fee Join. Thank you for your kind understanding. Cu soon 🤩

Hello, Jakarta Writer! **Are you a member of [Jakarta Friends](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/) yet?** Want to see **pictures** of past events? **[Take a look here](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/photos/)**[!](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/photos/) And feel free to upload a few pictures you might take at the event 😊 JakCre and JakFri is **the** biggest, first, most active, and most inclusive MeetUp community in Jakarta… and we invite you to join us for this **SHUT! UP! AND! WRITE! #52** Everyone is always welcome to join our events. Our community is all about creating authentic in-person connections in this urban jungle. Come as you are... it’s the best version of yourself. **ABOUT THE EVENT** So, you want to write? Then shut up and write! Writing is 0.01% "inspiration" and 99.99% getting down to it. We will meet for a circa **2,5 hour writing session at ngoepi in Cilandak**, a cozy café with some tasty bites and a lovely garden near the MRT station Fatmawati Indomaret. It doesn't matter if you are an established writer or if you are picking up pen and paper for the first time. **Just show up, get down to it, and start writing.** Everyone will be working on their own thing, and we won't talk during writing. If you need some prompt or suggestion on what to write, I'll be happy to give you some ideas. After the circa 2,5 h writing session session, we will switch off our laptops and close our notebooks (but if you want to keep going, feel free!) and chill down. We can also share each other texts and give feedback, if that's something someone would like to do. **The rules of the game:** 1. We aim to start together in order not to disrupt the process for everyone. Please be on time. 2. No talking at the table during writing! After arriving at the table, we will focus on our own writing 3. You can take as many breaks as you want of course Don't be late as we want to start writing together, and please do **update your RSVP at least 24h before the event** if you cannot come, else you will take away a spot from a person in the waitlist. Don't be that persons! **Repeated no-shows will be kicked from the group.** We have organised this event before! You can see a few past events here: * [Shut! Up! And! Write! at ngoepi, CIlandak (May 2026)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/events/314411858/) * [Shut! Up! And! Write! at ngoepi, CIlandak (Jan 2026)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/312325439/) * [Shut! Up! And! Write! at Rasea Haji Nawi (Nov 2025)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/311510658/) * [Shut! Up! And! Write! at Mad for Coffee, Cipete (Oct 2025)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/311064766/) * [Shut! Up! And! Write! at ngoepi, Cilandak (Sept 2025)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/310532158/) * [Shut! Up! And! Write! at Unifinished Coffee, Blok M (July 2025)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/308766899/) * [Shut! Up! And! Write! at ngoepi, Cilandak (May 2024)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/306901326/) * [Shut! Up! And! Write! at M Bloc Space (Feb 2025)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/305775525/) * [Shut! Up! And! Write! at Kios Ojo Keos, Lebak Bulus (Nov 2024)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/304408423/) * [Shut! Up! And! Write! at ngoepi, Cilandak (Nov 2024)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/303766280/) **ABOUT THE VENUE** **ngoepi** is a lovely cafe with a cozy book corner and great coffee and snacks. There's an indoor area with airco (non smoking), and a garden/patio outside. * Let's meet directly there. There will be tables prepared for us * Here is a link to the venue for more information: [https://www.instagram.com/ngoepi](https://www.instagram.com/ngoepi) * We encourage you to reach the event by public transportation MRT Fatmawati is just 10 minutes walk! **ABOUT THE HOST** Corrado Nai has a Ph.D. in microbiology and writes mostly about science. His feature articles has been published in Smithsonian Magazine, New Scientist, Asimov Press, Small Things Considered, and many more. Currently he's writing [a graphic novel about agar-agar's surprising role in science](https://fanny-hesse-graphic-novel.site/), called "The Dessert That Changed the World" which can be followed and supported on Patreon at [https://www.patreon.com/corradonai](https://www.patreon.com/corradonai) **HOW TO REGISTER TO THE EVENT?** To register, just click “Attend”! There are a few simple rules * We kindly ask attendees who cannot manage to join to **update RSVP at least 24 h before the event** as a courtesy to other attendees and event organisers. * **Be on time! Don’t be early!** * People in the waitlist cannot attend, and are encouraged to check a few hours before the event if they got a spot * Repeated no-show (3X) without updating RSVP will be removed from the group * Cancellation a few hours before the event unless for force majeur is unfriendly towards organisers, venue, and other attendees and counts as no-show! * People who brings a guest need to make sure that the +1 understands and agrees to our community rules of respect and inclusivity * No possiblity to register with a +1 -- reach out to the organiser if you'd like to bring an additional guest with you (subjected to available places) Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! **WE HAVE A MEMBERSHIP FEE. HOW DOES IT WORK?** Our community has a **membership fee** that make sure we can keep organising hundreds of events as we did over the past 4 years. Membership can be paid as a **yearly membership** of 340k IDR valid for 365 days after payment. Pay online **ahead** of the event to get **10% off**! Membership gives **access to all events** plus exclusive perks\*\*(\*)\*\* available only to paying members. As a first-timer, you have several options: * **Option A**: Join with a *promo discount* for first-timers for 250k IDR/year. Get 10% if you pay online ahead of the event! * **Option B**: Not sure if you want to join for a year? Join with a 50k IDR *sneak peek option* & pay the remaining 290k IDR at the next event * **Option C**: *Bundle offer* to join both Jakarta Writers **and** **[Jakarta Friends](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/)** for 390k IDR instead of 680k IDR. First-timers only. All three options can be redeemed with an additional **10% discount** when paid online **ahead** of an event. In the past 3,5 years we have organised **\~2-3 events per week** (browse past event [of JakFri here](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/?type=past) and [of JakWri here](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/events/?type=past)). That is, with your membership you can attend up to 5-10 events/month! \*\*(\*)\*\*This is a non-exhaustive list of special events we have had for paying members only. A [Give Away Birthday Celebrations with lucky draw](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/300470498), a [Free pasta cooking (and eating 😉) workshop](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/304253623/) or a [Museum visits with free guided tours](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/301738408/). We **guarantee** to keep organizing plenty of events. You will receive a **full refund** if the group closes down, or if there’s no event happening in three months. Yearly membership can be paid beforehand (bank transfer/Gopay) or at an event (cash/bank transfer/Gopay). Text Corrado (+62 8211 489 3580) if you have any questions about membership. It's easy! **THE RULES OF OUR COMMUNITY** Our communities are: * **Jakarta Friends**: [https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends) * **Jakarta Writers** (former Jak Creatives): [https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/) Members often participate in events of both groups. Over the past two years, we held over 250 events with over 2,000 attendees. Attendees rate our events **very positively** and give wonderful feedback, with an average of **4.8**⭐ (out of 5⭐) from around 400 reviews ([take a look at our reviews here!](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/feedback-overview/)) We value diversity, inclusivity, respect, and authenticity. We **do not tolerate** harassment or discrimination of any kinds. * You are invited to join our WhatsApp group where we announce our events regularly: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/BR0sC0BrPbc9xTqvj1qLfx](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BR0sC0BrPbc9xTqvj1qLfx) * Feel free to tag us on Instagram, and we will repost! [www.intagram.com/jakarta.friends.creatives](http://www.intagram.com/jakarta.friends.creatives) * For questions about the event, please post a comment on the event page, or DM the event organisers

Main Bareng Pickleball at Ancol Tennis Warehouse. Join us for fun, socialising and sports at Ancol Tennis Warehouse.

Want to unwind after work with some fun? How about hitting the tennis courts at Anol Tennis Warehouse with people who are at your level (Intermediate)? It’s a weekly event, and we’re always welcoming new members, so you can get a great workout and make some new friends all at once. Looking forward to seeing you there soon! Fee is 198,000 Rp per person.

**Get ready to sing your heart out, meet new people, play pool and eat and drink under the stars! Join us for an unforgettable Saturday night of karaoke and fun times.** This is more than just karaoke! It's about getting to know new people and connecting, sharing laughs over off-key renditions, and creating memories that'll have you smiling long after the last song ends. It's completely FREE, but you should buy at least one drink from the venue for helping us create the event. There is also free pool and food promotions. Everyone is welcome. Come solo or bring friends. **Here is the lowdown** **Date & Time**: Saturday, 6th June 2026, from 7:00 p.m. onwards **Location**: Kalture Resto & Club Rooftop Mega Kuningan **Maps**: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/pmACtu77RZ1k7bDL7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/pmACtu77RZ1k7bDL7) Whether you're here for the singing, the food, or the fantastic company, we promise a night full of fun and laughter. See you on the 6th. Let's make it a night to remember! **📢 IMPORTANT: Attendance Reconfirmation Required** To ensure accurate headcounts and reduce no-shows, we're implementing an updated reconfirmation system for all events. **Here's how it works:** * All events start with unlimited RSVPs. * 4 days before each event, a reconfirmation form will be posted in the event comments and shared in the WhatsApp group. * You must reconfirm ASAP by submitting the form. Your spot is guaranteed only after you reconfirm. * The form closes once we reach the target attendance number. * Anyone who hasn’t reconfirmed when the form closes will be removed from the attendee list. * If you can’t attend, change your status to Not Going. **Two‑strike rule: If you don’t reconfirm or don’t change your status to Not Going two times, you will be removed from the group.** Thanks for helping us keep things running smoothly. Looking forward to seeing you all there. If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know here or join our friendly and active WhatsApp Group Chat: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FBQsf4Cv4yWACNs9gbiYNH](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FBQsf4Cv4yWACNs9gbiYNH) Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/jakartasocialgroup](https://www.instagram.com/jakartasocialgroup)

Hey, new friend in Jakarta! Now that you joined JakFri... **are you a member of [Jakarta Writers](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/) yet?** Want to see **pictures** of past events? **[Take a look here!](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/photos/)** And feel free to upload a few pictures you might take at the event 😊 JakFri and JakWri is **the** biggest, first, most active, and most inclusive MeetUp community in Jakarta... and we invite you to join us for **MANADO FOOD night!🤤 Let's share some uniquely delicious food and share this experience with new friends.** Everyone is always welcome to join our events. Our community is all about creating authentic in-person connections in this urban jungle. Come as you are... it’s the best version of yourself. **ABOUT THE EVENT** Just join and enojoy a simple and wonderful occasion to connect authentically with people. We will sit down and eat togehter. **Everyone** is welcome to join. First-timers particularly welcomed! Our community is inclusive and favours autentic connections and conversations. We will meet from 7.30 PM and **share some delicious food!** I encourage everyone to be on time so that we can decide together what to order and try many different things. At the end, we will share the bill in equal parts (except for the booze). You can arrive later but be aware that we might already have started eating. If you prefer to order your own food and pay your own bill, that's possible, but please communicate this clearly to avoid miscommunications. The idea is that we share food and try many different dishes! After the food, if we feel like, we can go somewhere nearby and continue the evening with a drink. **We have organised this event before! Take a look here:** * **[MANADO DINNER! 🤤 At Sarang Oci Blok M](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/312723665/)** (Jan 2026) * **[MANADO DINNER! 🤤 At Sarang Oci Blok M](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/311745631)** (Oct 2025) You can browse [all future events](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/) and [all past events](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/?type=past) of Jakarta Friends take a look at [pictures of previous events](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/photos/) to get a sense of the vibe of our group! **ABOUT THE VENUE** * Here's the Google Link of Sarang Oci: https://share.google/iDcTenrVpcy0LDTXU * The restaurant is spacious and eelegant without being pretentious. The menu is varied and authentic malado! * Prices are reasonable and we'll share food * They have some booze on the menu * Attendance to this event is limited to 8 persons to facilitate organisation If you cannot join, please **update your RSVP at least 24h before the event** as respect to the organiser and people in the waitlist. There will be a table reserved for us under MeetUp and we will have a MeetUp sign on our table. Easy! **HOW TO REGISTER TO THE EVENT?** To register, just click “Attend”! There are a few simple rules * We kindly ask attendees who cannot manage to join to **update RSVP at least 24 h before the event** as a courtesy to other attendees and event organisers. * Cancellation a few hours before the event still counts as a no-show as it takes the spot away from someone else * Don't be early! We want to eat together. Don't be late! We want to eat together. * Come alone of with a +1 one - family, friend, partner, or kid * People in the waitlist **cannot** attend, and are encouraged to check a few hours before the event to see if they got a spot * 3X no-shows = kicked from the group * No show at this event without updating RSVP = removal from the group. * As the place is small, only 8 guests can attend this event Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! **WE HAVE A MEMBERSHIP FEE. HOW DOES IT WORK?** Our community has a **membership fee** that make sure we can keep organising plenty of events as we did over the past 4 years. Membership can be paid as a **yearly membership** of 340k IDR valid for 365 days after payment. Pay online **ahead** of the event to get **10% off**! Membership gives **access to all events** plus exclusive perks\*\*(\*)\*\* available only to paying members. As a first-timer, you have several options: * **Option A**: Join with a *promo discount* for first-timers for 250k IDR/year. Get 10% if you pay online ahead of the event! * **Option B**: Not sure if you want to join for a year? Join with a 50k IDR *sneak peek option* & pay the remaining 290k IDR at the next event * **Option C**: *Bundle offer* to join both Jakarta Friends **and** **[Jakarta Writers](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers)** for 390k IDR instead of 680k IDR. First-timers only. All three options can be redeemed with an additional **10% discount** when paid online **ahead** of an event. In the past 3,5 years we have organised **\~2-3 events per week** (browse past event [of JakFri here](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/?type=past) and [of JakWri here](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/events/?type=past)). That is, with your membership you can attend up to 5-10 events/month! \*\*(\*)\*\*This is a non-exhaustive list of *special events* we have had for paying members only. A [Give Away Birthday Celebrations with lucky draw](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/300470498), a [Free pasta cooking (and eating 😉) workshop](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/304253623/) or a [Museum visits with free guided tours](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/301738408/). We **guarantee** to keep organizing plenty of events. You will receive a **full refund** if the group closes down, or if there’s no event happening in three months. Yearly membership can be paid beforehand (bank transfer/Gopay) or at an event (cash/bank transfer/Gopay). Text Corrado (+62 8211 489 3580) if you have any questions about membership. It's easy! **THE RULES OF OUR COMMUNITY** Our communities are: * **Jakarta Friends**: [https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends) * **Jakarta Writers** (former Creatives): [https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/) Members often participate in events of both groups. Over the past two years, we held over 250 events with over 2,000 attendees. Attendees rate our events **very positively** and give wonderful feedback, with an average of **4.8**⭐ (out of 5⭐) from around 600 reviews ([take a look at our reviews here!](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/feedback-overview/)) We value diversity, inclusivity, respect, and authenticity. We **do not tolerate** harassment or discrimination of any kinds. * You are invited to join our WhatsApp group where we announce our events regularly: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/BR0sC0BrPbc9xTqvj1qLfx](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BR0sC0BrPbc9xTqvj1qLfx) * Feel free to tag us on Instagram, and we will repost! [www.intagram.com/jakarta.friends.creatives](http://www.intagram.com/jakarta.friends.creatives) * For questions about the event, please post a comment on the event page, or DM the event organisers

**Let's make your work day fun! Welcome to our social co-working event where you can get some work done and make new friends at the same time, which is the way co-working should be.** The event is totally fee. We will be co-working at CROCO by Monsieur Spoon Teluk Betung, which is a lovely large cafe with great food and drinks and free Wi-Fi. We will work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a break for lunch for an hour around midday or 1 p.m. However, you can come and work at anytime that suits you. There will be plenty of time make new connections and chat throughout the day, so come along and give it try. **📢 IMPORTANT: Attendance Reconfirmation Required** To ensure accurate headcounts and reduce no-shows, we're implementing an updated reconfirmation system for all events. **Here's how it works:** * All events start with unlimited RSVPs. * 4 days before each event, a reconfirmation form will be posted in the event comments and shared in the WhatsApp group. * You must reconfirm ASAP by submitting the form. Your spot is guaranteed only after you reconfirm. * The form closes once we reach the target attendance number. * Anyone who hasn’t reconfirmed when the form closes will be removed from the attendee list. * If you can’t attend, change your status to Not Going. **Two‑strike rule: If you don’t reconfirm or change your status to Not Going two times, you will be removed from the group.** Thanks for helping us keep things running smoothly. Looking forward to seeing you all there. Please feel free to let me know here or join our active and friendly WhatsApp Group Chat: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FBQsf4Cv4yWACNs9gbiYNH](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FBQsf4Cv4yWACNs9gbiYNH) Instagram:[ [https://www.instagram.com/jakartasocialgroup](https://www.instagram.com/jakartasocialgroup)]

Join us for an unforgettable night 7:30pm in Jakarta [[Click This Whatsapp Groupchat Link](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BQcHLsg2oJfLugoOG27jjk)] We’re not just a language exchange — we’re a roaming social experience for 20s and 30s who love new faces and open conversations. Whether you're an expat, traveler, or Seoulite looking for something beyond the usual Saturday, this is the place to be. Connect, talk, laugh, repeat.

Welcome, readers! Our June read is ***Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible*** ***Voyage*** **by Alfred Lansing.** A work of nonfiction, and one of the most astonishing survival stories in history, we follow Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew after their ship is crushed by Antarctic ice. Stranded in one of the harshest environments on Earth, the men endure months of isolation, freezing temperatures, and near starvation—yet refuse to give up hope. Lansing brings their ordeal to life through vivid detail and firsthand accounts, capturing both the brutality of nature and the resilience of the human spirit. At its core, the story is a powerful testament to leadership, perseverance, and the unbreakable will to survive against impossible odds. 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 **all** **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

Welcome, readers! Our May read is **_Kindred_ by Octavia E. Butler.** The story follows Dana, a Black woman living in 1976 California, who is suddenly pulled back to a Maryland plantation before the Civil War. She learns her survival is tied to a white slaveholder’s son. Forced to move between centuries, she must endure the brutal realities of slavery while fighting to hold on to her identity. Tense, intimate, and unforgettable, Kindred explores how the past refuses to stay buried. 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! 📖

Join us for Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn! Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, reporter Camille Preaker faces a troubling assignment: she must return to her tiny hometown to cover the unsolved murder of a preteen girl and the disappearance of another. For years, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed in her old bedroom in her family's Victorian mansion, Camille finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Dogged by her own demons, she must unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past if she wants to get the story-and survive this homecoming.

Welcome, readers! Our July read is ***A Short Walk Through a Wide World*** *by Douglas Westerbeke*. We'll follow a young woman bound by a mysterious condition that forces her to keep moving across the globe. As she journeys through vibrant cities, quiet landscapes, and centuries of time, each stop reveals new connections, fleeting relationships, and deeper questions about belonging. The novel blends adventure with introspection, exploring what it means to search for home when you can never stay in one place. It’s both a love letter to the vastness of the world and a poignant meditation on identity, memory, and human connection. 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!

Big Ohio Book Con "A convention for book lovers all over Ohio (and beyond)! Author panels, signings, bookish vendors, meet & greets, and more!" Featuring more than 100 authors, more than 50 bookish vendors, and plenty of exciting activities throughout the event! Travel with fellow book lovers or meet us at the event. Park for free at the Medina Convention Center, 735 Lafayette Rd., Medina, Ohio 44256, then hop aboard one of the free shuttles whenever you’re ready for your next bookish adventure! The convention spans three neighboring locations, giving you even more to explore and enjoy.

**Our June novel is: *The Eights* by Joanna Miller** **This month’s novel is set during World War I. It’s a 20th-century historical fiction story about friendship and war, with coming-of-age elements and a slightly haunted tone. The book is 384 pages in print and 10 hours and 9 minutes on audiobook.** Oxford, 1920. For the first time in its one-thousand-year history, Oxford University officially admits female students. Burning with dreams of equality, four young women move into neighboring rooms in Corridor 8. Beatrice, Dora, Marianne, and Otto—collectively known as The Eights—come from all walks of life, each driven by their own motives, each holding tight to their secrets, and are thrown into an unlikely, unshakable friendship. Dora was never meant to go to university, but, after losing both her brother and her fiancé on the battlefield, has arrived in their place. Politically-minded Beatrice, daughter of a famous suffragette, sees Oxford as a chance to make her own way - and some friends her own age. Otto was a nurse during the war but is excited to return to her socialite lifestyle in Oxford where she hopes to find distraction from the memories that haunt her. And finally Marianne, the quiet, clever daughter of a village pastor, who has a shocking secret she must hide from everyone, even her new friends, if she is to succeed. Among the historic spires, and in the long shadow of the Great War, the four women must navigate and support one another in a turbulent world in which misogyny is rife, influenza is still a threat, and the ghosts of the Great War don’t always remain dead.

[Columbus library link to book](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3351321) Location: The Goat River South 219 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215 Street parking is free on Sundays [Menu](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/686d3ed16745133042482c5f/t/68ff654dbb03b96875430bde/1761568077220/all_brunch-20250311.pdf) Book summary: On a hot day in Bethlehem, a twelve-year-old Palestinian-American girl is yelled at by a group of men outside the Church of the Nativity. She has exposed her legs in a biblical city, an act they deem forbidden, and their judgement will echo on through her adolescence. When our narrator finally admits to her mother that she is queer, her mother's response only intensifies a sense of shame: 'You exist too much,' she tells her daughter. Told in vignettes that flash between the U.S. and the Middle East--from New York to Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine--Zaina Arafat's debut novel traces her protagonist's progress from blushing teen to sought-after DJ and aspiring writer.