Coffee & Books

*2nd place Finalist in BBNYA 2022, this queer dark fantasy Norse myth retelling is perfect for fans of Circe, The Witch's Heart, and The Silence of the Girls.* **Perhaps you know the myths.** **Furious, benevolent Gods.** **A tree that binds nine realms.** **A hammer stronger than any weapon.** **And someday, the end of everything.** **But few have heard of me.** Looking back, it’s easy to know what choices I might have made differently. At least it feels that way. I might have given up on my title. Told my father he was useless, king of Gods or no, and left Asgard. Made a life somewhere else. Maybe I would never have let Loki cross my path. Never have fallen in love. But there’s no going back. We were happy once. And the price for that happiness was the end of everything. ***\*\**** *The event takes place in the Library of the Regenbogenhaus, which is open from 15h00-19h00 on Wednesdays. You're welcome to visit the library, before the book discussion in the House of Colour* \*\* \*\* **Reminder:** The Sci-Fi & Fantasy books group meets monthly, and has a limit of 12 persons (due to venue size at the Regenbogenhaus). The Sci-Fi Fantasy group has a Whatsapp Group chat, and Excel sheet for suggesting and voting on books to read. **Suggest books and vote here**: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1M23Vst0aClZS5SOZN-CGDcaQRsQtO8_h18l7xChf1no/edit?gid=966314652#gid=966314652

**Queer & Inclusive Bootcamp – Wednesday! 🏋️‍♀️✨** Want to move, feel strong, and share a fun, inclusive experience? Join our **Wednesday Queer Bootcamp**! 💪 **What to expect:** * Varied exercises for all fitness levels * Strength, cardio, and mobility * Group motivation and positive energy 🌈 **Why join us?** * A **safe and inclusive space** to move at your own pace * Connect with the queer community while staying active * Feel good in your body and mind 📍 **Location:** Kernstrasse 41, 8004 Zürich, Schulhaus Kern 🕒 **Time:** 18:30–19:30 🎟 **Sign-up / Info:** [WhatsApp ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/L4fvo1RmDob7Z6rZ5y48mX?mode=gi_t) **Languages:** EN-DE‑PT‑FR 🗣️ Everyone is welcome!

Join us for a cozy and creative evening where crochet meets good food and great company. This is not a class, but a relaxed club for people who already know the basics of crochet and want to spend time creating together. Bring your current project (or start a new one with one of our DIY kits), grab a delicious sando and a drink, and connect with like-minded people in a laid-back, social atmosphere. Whether you come alone or with friends, this is your space to unwind, get inspired, and enjoy the simple pleasure of making something with your hands. ✨ What to expect: – A relaxed, welcoming environment – Creative time with your project – The chance to meet new people – Good vibes, good yarn, good sandos 🧶 On-site: A curated selection of yarn and DIY kits will be available to purchase, so you can easily start a new project or get inspired during the evening. **🪡 Knitters are welcome too <3** ℹ️ Please note: This is a club, not a workshop — basic crochet (or knitting) knowledge is required. To participate, guests are expected to order a sando and a drink from the venue. Spots are limited — we recommend booking in advance.

Join us, once a month, on a Wednesday afternoon for an easy-paced walk by the lake — a midweek pause to breathe, move, and connect. We’ll meet in front of the Opera House and take a walk along the lake, letting conversation flow as naturally as the path. These walks are about more than slowing down — they’re a way to clear the noise and make space for new perspectives. Sometimes it’s in motion that the mind finds its calm and ideas come into focus. A simple hour to refresh, connect, and perhaps see something familiar in a new light.

Join the Language Exchange to meet new people, practice your foreign languages and spend a good time together. We will serve free tapas such as Bruschetta, Wedges, Nachos or similar. **How it works**: Choose the country flag sticker of the languages that you speak or want to practice! Seat on the right language table and start your conversation with our conversation topic cards. Average group size: 25 participants **When**: Wednesday, 20:00 - 22:00 **Where**: 2.Akt Zürich **Price**: 10.- incl. Snacks **Tickets**: https://tinyurl.com/LX-13-05-26 (please buy ticket online) **WhatsApp Group**: https://chat.whatsapp.com/8jkvEUJ5jLp75fYglQFCNJ (join for updates & pics) **After the Language Exchange:** Pub Crawl (optional) For those who want to continue the night, we have a Bar Tour starting from the same place at 10PM. Watch [this video](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VrBFWgXQNhw) to know what expect! Language Exchange participant get a 10fr discount when buying the combo-ticket online. Your Event Hosts Didem, Sébastien & Katja, Fernando More info: [https://www.pubcrawlzurich.com/languageexchange](https://www.pubcrawlzurich.com/languageexchange) Event pictures? Follow us on [IG](https://www.instagram.com/languageexchangezurich) and [FB](https://www.facebook.com/zurichlanguageexchange)

. **❤️ WELCOME HOME** **❤️** * **See** **[VIDEO & PHOTOS](https://photos.app.goo.gl/o476bvQ6ZC8CGhG57)** of previous events * **Join** our **Whatsapp** with zero-spam promise [https://chat.whatsapp.com/G01nWpon13VB0gebrqFmfx?mode=gi_t](https://chat.whatsapp.com/G01nWpon13VB0gebrqFmfx?mode=gi_t) (if link does not work please open via laptop's browser on https://web.whatsapp.com/ ) * **Join** our **[INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/wearetheconnectionspace/)** * **Testimonials** (scroll to "photos" section to read testimonials) *"The best event I know on Meetup to connect to new friends."* *"First participation, an evening to remember!"* *"So far in 7 years this is the first time I see a really good organised event!"* *"Mega schön"* *"I was positively surprised. They organized everything so well; I met some interesting, friendly people. I highly recommend it"* *"Great! Everything excellent, super organized... lots of people. Great atmosphere"* *"Had a blast!"* *"I am really grateful for the warm atmosphere, inspiring moments"* . **why? Offline fun meaningful connections** with new **friends** for free! That's what we truly desire and makes us happy and healthy! . **how? No "forced" process, only optional fun activities**! In today's event we will have: * New-comer area (never was easier to spark a conversation, with ice-breakers, optional for first time attendees) * fun social games * mindful games * or simply join the great vibe and talk to anyone anytime! 😃 * 20:00 Speed-friending - guaranteed process to meet new people while having fun, with moderator * 20:30 Slow-Friending more time to connect & deeper connection **where?** join **WHATSAPP (see link above)** where we will post the exact location of our tables on the same day of the event (look for "pinned" message). Or just come and find Christos wearing [this hat](https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMse15UzdSJkJB9Tygbr0j3D9VEX1XBua4p0c33ysAJpE3vywTxIJ7hY0n4YtNc7w?key=UEhJR042X0tsQXBoZzB0QmgzSGhCU3R0QUdCQjJn) on the rooftop or call him on 0768175380 . **weather?** Event takes place rain or shine (we got ultra rain-protected areas for all) . **coming late?** we got many people until closing at 00:00 so come whenever! . **coming solo?** 95%+ do too - perfect place to come solo! . . . . . . . ***MORE INFO? Read on...*** . **ABOUT US:** **Why?** **fun** **offline meaningful connections**! Have **fun** meeting **new friends** & **existing friends** thus building your **community.** Its scientifically proven that **offline** **human connections** make us **happy** and **healthy** (more on this below) **Where?** at the **rooftop** of Zürich's most famous and beautiful **garden** \- Frau Gerolds garden\! **How?** **Disconnect** your phone & Connect with people in a **free** and **super-fun** event! These recurring events create a "fixed" community without any specific reasons for connection (like interests, genders, age or countries). **Everyone is welcome**! The event is that **simple**😀 * 🌴NEW: beautiful **rooftop** in most beautiful **garden** in central Zürich that comes with its own bar * **🥇** **New comer area** for first-time-atendees with ice-breaker questions (optional area, in case you want to talk to first-time attendees) * 👭 **meet like-minded** **friends** by **voting** your favorite discussion topics - the top 5 will be turned into topic-based tables! * 🃏 **Fun social games** (read game names below) * **🎲 Mindful Connection Games** from [The School of Life](https://www.theschooloflife.com/shop/?_product_type=games-card-sets) with games and questions that go deeper in connection (game names below). Grab a game and start playing. * 👬 or simply **hang-out** and **meet new & old friends** **without** a process . **IMPORTANT:** * **Why so many options above for connection?** We always have: a first-timer area, Fun social games, Mindful games, ice-breaker questions or simply just talk freely to anyone. Often we add: Speed-friending and a Music jam. We believe **you are unique** and each of us prefers different ways of connection. Also we want to provide an opportunity for everyone to try something new * **Easy and "Safe":** We have the whole location reserved for us so its safe to open up and meet new friends (unlike bars in Zürich where people find it strange if strangers talk to them). Christos and volunteers will also help with connection. Read more info below. * **Christos** (see [PHOTO](https://photos.app.goo.gl/pdtVaVGCyDEJ28uE8)) and our co-organisers will be wearing name budges and will aim to **welcome** **everyone.** * **Thank YOU** for being so open in meeting new people and making 50+ events with 7500+ attendees in 2.5+ years happen! * more info via our **[LINKS](http://linktr.ee/connectionspace)** * Yes YOU are **good** & **courageous** for looking for new fun connections! * 95% of people come **solo** \- you can too❤️ * Everyone is in same situation and you ll be surprised how **friendly people** are ❤️ * Come **early** though **later** also ok as many people there **until 00:00** * **It works**! We heard of many new friendships, living together and even getting a new job * For **volunteering** for free please msg Christos 0768175380. We can provide free drinks for your service . **TIPS on HOW TO CONNECT:** * **Look out for a good smile/vibe** in a person/group of 2-3 people and say "Hi my name is xxx, can I join?". * **Try something different** (person, game, table, activity) often until you find **fun** **quality connection** * **Ask** **Support:** we understand going out to meet friends can be a stretch. We make this easy with a fun and safe event. Also you can ask for help from our clearly communicated (see photos of this event) "**People Connectors**" who can help you discreetly to connect with others * **Invest time**(not quickly just come by) as friendships are an investment * **Come back**: big turnaround, people come randomly at each event, so you never know who you ll meet . . . . . **ABOUT US:** **(in detail)** . . **WHY Connection Space**? * ... we ❤️ **uniting people** while having **fun!** We make the world better by enabling **fun quality offline connections** & building **community!** * ... we truly believe **Human Connections** is what we truly **deeply crave** for and what we truly **need** so we can be **happy** and **healthy**! This is proven by data in [ANCIENT HISTORY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg_47J6sy3A), in [MODERN HISTORY](https://www.kiltrohealth.com/blog/blue-zones-social-connection-the-secret-to-longevity-and-well-being) and also scientifically proven by [HARVARD ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KkKuTCFvzI)in an 87 year old study. Yes this makes you [HEALTHY](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/relationships-boost-survival/#:~:text=Overall%252C%2520social%2520support%2520increases%2520survival,%252Da%252Dday%2520smoking%2520habit) and is what you really need - the other things are not as important as society tells you. . * **WHAT is Connection Space?** Imagine a co-working space where everyone is with headphones, laptops, mostly being 'alone' all day ... or a cafe/restaurant/bar where pretty much all people talk to people they already know.. . The **"Connection Space"** is exactly the opposite of that; its a **fun** social environment outside family and work, a cultural exchange, where we **unite** and hangout with **new and old friends** as **one community**. . Thats it. . No to phones, laptops, zoom-calls, books No to a specific reason to get together (eg. only for specific hobbies, genders, age groups, languages etc) No to just talking to your friends Not a dating, not a party, not an expat-only meetup NO to division (political racial gender etc) . Yes to simple and real in-person connection with new and old friends YES TO FUN! We got many optional activities for you to try out Yes to feeling like home & come as you are Yes to unity, love and respect for one another Yes to eating, drinking and music Yes to everyone-is-welcome & always-free events YES to UNITY! Getting along with each other in spite of different opinions . Our events are **inspired** by the Greek village culture of "[Καφενείο](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafenio)" (village coffeeshops) with photos [HERE](https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=569660528&sxsrf=AM9HkKlXnclaLfgcockKtdr9qHdmD5jaGw:1696060562834&q=greek+%CE%BA%CE%B1%CF%86%CE%B5%CE%BD%CE%B5%CE%B9%CE%BF&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi52fX67dGBAxXnlf0HHZNiBHUQ0pQJegQICRAB&biw=1460&bih=913&dpr=2). When myself Christos was a kid, my granddad took me to these "[Καφενείο](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafenio)". Every neighbourhood had one, and people met, without an exaggeration, on a daily-basis. It was the community center of the village. People met new and old friends, played games, socialised, ate snacks, drank coffee and ouzo. It was a very friendly, welcoming and homey environment. Unfortunately this concept is rapidly dying in Greece. As a kid I had extremely good memories of these coffeeshops, and for this reason I am passionate to revive and recreate this environment and also add a modern twist. Hope you enjoy it! . * **WHAT is NOT Connection Space? NOT** a drinks or party event (responsible drinking only, no shots, no free drinks). **NOT** a dating event. **NOT** foreigners-only, but everyone is welcome * **What KIND of event is this?** Its a mix of **social** and **cultural event** that build **community**. We have many people from so many different cultures socialising, we promote culture with events with Art exhibitions and Live Music and we also revive the social culture of the Greek traditional village coffeeshop (Καφενείο - read more above). * **WHO?** Wir wollen gerne mehr **Schweizer/innen** dabei haben! Alle sind willkommen und die meisten können Deutsch sprechen. Not an expat event. **Everyone welcome**! * **Mindful Connection Games:** from [The School of Life](https://www.theschooloflife.com/shop/?_product_type=games-card-sets) available: Confessions Game, The Friendship Game, Connection Game, The Loser Game, Games for grown-ups and three sets of "100 questions" (Conversation Toolkit & Careers & Relationships) * **Fun Social Games:** bring your own **board/card games** or choose from: Cards against humanity, Exploding Kittens, Codenames, Debatable, Sotally Tober, Taboo, Mafia, Uno, Monopoly and more. . Looking forward to **fun quality Connections**! 🙂

**Zug Book Club: A Gathering of Minds** ✨ , ✨ A moment for the curious, the reflective, and the wildly bookish. Park Hotel - Industriesstrasse 14, Zug ️ **Date & Time:** May 16 at 10:00 AM **Location:** https://maps.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x479aaa57f042687f:0x1ba31b802080ab32?entry=s&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwja9-3U4vyRAxWfbEEAHZ_6AlsQ4kB6BAgVEAA&hl=en **WHAT’S THIS ABOUT?** This isn’t your typical book club. Just a space to explore ideas, share perspectives, and connect through stories — both on the page and in our lives. Each month, we gather around a theme, a book, or a question that stirs something in us. We read to remember we’re not alone. We meet to be reminded why that matters. **HOW DOES IT WORK?** * Bring your favorite book * We open with a short reflection or quote * Phones off. Minds on. **HOW TO JOIN?** Everyone is welcome. **WHO IS THIS FOR?** Readers and thinkers. You don’t need to be eloquent. Just honest. You don’t need to be well-read. Just open-hearted.

**☀️Nourish your mind & body first thing in the morning 🌻** 🎟 Entry: **Free** 🗓 Date: **Saturday, 16 May** 🕗 Time: **10:00 – 12:00** 📍 Location: **[ANNTIN studio,](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V3Ym1aCMCZRgygxeA)**[ ](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V3Ym1aCMCZRgygxeA)**[Glattbrugg train station](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V3Ym1aCMCZRgygxeA)** (10 min from HB, 7 min from Hardbrücke, 2 min from Oerlikon) ⸻ **What to expect** 🕙 **10:00 – 10:15:** Arrival & welcome 🌬️ **10:15 – 11:00:** Breathwork session 🫐 **11:00 – 12:00:** Social gathering with vegan breakfast ⸻ Start your weekend with calming your mind & nervous system by learning different breathing techniques. The practice is followed by meaningful connections over light & vegan breakfast. Sip coffee, matcha or other hot drinks available on site while meeting like minded people who care about wellbeing. 🎟 The breathwork and breakfast are free, however if you want to support the owners of [ANNTIN studio](https://www.anntin.ch/), simply order a hot drink after breathwork ☕ ⚠️ Limited spots available - join the event to save your spot ⚠️⚠️Please cancel if you know you can't come, it will give chance to others to enjoy the event. In case of any questions contact us here: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/CSCUj3b814E7OagroDneOO?mode=gi_t](https://chat.whatsapp.com/CSCUj3b814E7OagroDneOO?mode=gi_t)

If your morning starts with a homemade coffee… why drink it from a mug you randomly bought? 😉☕️ Join our ceramic workshop and create the coffee mug you’ll actually be excited to wake up to. And if you’re feeling extra brunch-coded, make a matching plate for your croissant moment. 🥐✨ **📍 Location:** Schaffhauserstrasse 272, 8057 Zurich **🗓 Date & Time:** May 17th or May 31st (Sunday), 10h-12h **⏱ Duration:** 2 hours **💰 Price:** 65 CHF per participant **What You’ll Learn:** * Step-by-step guidance to create your own mug * Decorating and painting your pieces with your own personal style * Beginner-friendly techniques — no experience needed!‍ **What’s Included:** * All clay, paint, and working tools provided * Kiln firing and glaze to make your piece food safe and ready to use **All levels welcome** — from complete beginners to clay pros. Looking for what to do in Zurich on Sunday? Join us! ✨ Your future morning self will thank you! 📧 Email us at [ceramicsonwheels@gmail.com](mailto:ceramicsonwheels@gmail.com) if you have any questions!

**[⚠️ >>Ticket needed (click here)<<](https://eventfrog.ch/en/p/eating-drinking/pub-quiz-optional-matching-for-singles-7450176547221194998.html) or** **[www.social-circle.ch](www.social-circle.ch)** 🎉 **Pub Quiz Night** 🎉 Join us for a night full of **mind-bending questions**, **unexpected twists**, and **more laughs than right answers** (probably). Whether you're a trivia wizard or just really good at pretending you know stuff, this night’s for you! Join our whatsapp group for updates on this event: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FY1WpeStk5x8WyIXQ5hl66](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FY1WpeStk5x8WyIXQ5hl66) 📍 **Location:** BOHO 💰 **Price:** 15.- (includes tasty snacks + a prize for the winning team 🍾) 👥 **How Teams Work:** 🔹 Got a crew? Awesome, bring your squad and show us what you've got! 🔹 Looking to mingle with singles? We’ve got you! → Think 2 girls + 2 guys = the perfect cocktail of brainpower and awkward icebreakers 🔹 Not single? No problem! We’ll still team you up with some brilliant minds and maybe a few terrible guessers for balance 🏆 **What’s in it for you?** Glory, bragging rights, and the sweet, sweet taste of Prosecco-fueled victory. 💬 **Come for the trivia, stay for the chaos.** Spots are limited, so grab your seat before your smarter friend does! 🎟️ ​P.S. Pictures might be taken during the event, if you do not want it please let the organizer know. Tickets are non-refundable. **Want more events like this? Join our WhatsApp community:** [https://chat.whatsapp.com/KWSK2jINyuG9uHHjtxfnmP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KWSK2jINyuG9uHHjtxfnmP)

[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.

The theme for May is Thriller. • The book we will be discussing is A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. (determined by votes from April Book Club. Let me know if you'd like a free digital copy of the book) • This event will be at the main library. Feel free to come whether or not you've started or finished the book. • Small snacks will be provided. You're welcome to bring your own snacks & drinks too! Let me know if you’d like to volunteer to bring snacks or drinks for the group.

Join us for our May Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Cantoras](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)*[ ](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)by [Caro de Robertis](https://caroderobertis.com/bio/) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

**Our May novel is: *The Quiet Librarian* by Allen Eskens** **This month’s book is set in the 20th century and mixes historical fiction with suspense and thriller elements. It also centers on women’s stories and relationships. The novel is 368 pages in print or 8 hours and 12 minutes on audiobook.** Hana Babic is a quiet, middle-aged librarian in Minnesota who wants nothing more than to be left alone. But when a detective arrives with the news that her best friend has been murdered, Hana knows that something evil has come for her, a dark remnant of the past she and her friend had shared. Thirty years before, Hana was someone else: Nura Divjak, a teenager growing up in the mountains of war-torn Bosnia—until Serbian soldiers arrived to slaughter her entire family before her eyes. The events of that day thrust Nura into the war, leading her to join a band of militia fighters, where she became not only a fierce warrior but a legend—the deadly Night Mora. But a shattering final act forced Nura to flee to the United States with a bounty on her head\*\*.\*\*

This month we’ll be reading Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett. Feel free to come and chat even if you don’t finish the book!

Who else is ready to sit outside? Join us for a casual chat over coffee & tea at Grandview Grind! Come out and meet some new people, enjoy your favorite drink, and make some new friends!

Greetings writers! Come down and join your fellow wordsmiths for one hour of uninterrupted writing time in the upper level of the Market District Supermarket in Upper Arlington. The main entrance of the shopping center opens onto stairs/elevator leading up to the 2nd floor cafe section where we will have a table displaying a sign with the Shut Up & Write logo. Writing is largely a solitary craft. Practicing with others in a community setting may be the thing you need to fire your own routine. We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, starting the clock at 6:30, following a brief period of introductions. This is solid writing time and all inclusive. Any project is acceptable, be it fiction, non -fiction, work or homework assignment. All is welcome and will remain private to you. The market boasts a Starbucks, a full service bar and various affordable food options. Parking is plentiful, free Wifi is provided as well as outlets for charging your devices, though they are somewhat limited, so plan accordingly. Show up as early as you like, or stay late. This group tends to socialize some, both before and after the alloted time, but this is not mandatory to you. Feel free to come and go as you please and late arrivals are welcome. The cafe may be noisy on occasion so headphones/ earbuds are reccommended as you see fit. Please try to RSVP if possible so that we may grab enough seats for all—the venue can be busy at times. Feel free to message me privately wth any questions and/ or concerns you may have. Happy writing!