Discover Books and Hang Out at Bookshops

Need some inspiration and/or dedicated writing time for your current WIP? Grab your laptop or notebook and join us at Simply show up at Camelia Art Cafe. Feel free to jump into working on your own writing project immediately, or wait until the quiet time starting at 5:30. at 5 pm for a bit of writer chat, before diving into an hour and a half of focused writing time. At 7, we head to a nearby bar to discuss how it all went.

You’re invited to a **fun and social cooking experience in Barcelona**: we’ll cook a delicious paella together and use it as the perfect excuse to meet new people. We’ll start with a short introduction to the group and the hosts, then walk you step by step through a traditional paella recipe. While everything is cooking, there will be plenty of time to chat, have a drink, and connect with other attendees. We’ll finish by sharing the paella around the table. What to expect: * A relaxed and friendly atmosphere * Step‑by‑step guidance to cook paella together * Time to socialize and make new friends in Barcelona * A shared meal at the end What to bring: * An open, social attitude and willingness to participate Please let us know if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions when you RSVP The main language will be English, but we’re happy to switch to Spanish when needed.

Whether you're writing for pleasure or for publication, international journalist and author **Anna Hart** has some tools of the travel-writing trade to share. In this 90-minute workshop, we'll explore how to find your own distinct voice as a travel writer, how to banish writer's block, and how to write about other people and places with respect, understanding and relevance. **[Buy her book here!](https://backstorybookshop.shop/product/departures-2/)** **About the host:** Belfast-born Anna Hart is an international culture and travel writer, with a specialist interest in social trends, migration patterns and urban culture. As an award-winning journalist, author, presenter and documentary director, she contributes regularly to The New York Times, Gourmet Traveller Australia, The Times, The Guardian and Conde Nast Traveller. Her first book, the solo travel memoir Departures, was published by Little, Brown Book Group in 2018, accompanied by a book tour that included Glastonbury Festival, Wilderness Festival, Stoke Newington Literary Festival and Port Eliot Literary Festival. Anna is currently working on her second book, Homes, about freedom of movement.

The best and most definitely FUN way to Get in Shape! A 60 minutes during Full Body Workout in the Open Air Gym of Barcelona • Get in Shape • Lose Weight • Improve your General Fitness • Get Stronger • Muscle Toning • Cross Fitness • Work hard Play hard • All Levels • Meet new friends • Have FUN & Be Happy What to bring? Towel, hand gloves & water Come and enjoy a free trial class! BootChamps - Let´s go work-OUT-side!

**🇬🇧 The Language Exchange Meetup in Barcelona 🌍** Are you ready for an evening filled with language practice, new friendships, and tons of fun? Join our vibrant community in Barcelona where language enthusiasts gather to enhance their proficiency in various languages and expand their social circles. 🗓️ **When**: Every Wednesday at 7pm 📍 **Where**: Soda Bus: 150 Aribau street (10 minutes from Diagonal and Hospital Clinic stations) Embark on a linguistic adventure with us! Our language exchange sessions take place in the heart of the city, within the unique atmosphere of Soda Bus 😉 🆓 **Admission: Free**, with a friendly request to support the venue by ordering a minimum drink (€4). This inclusive event welcomes everyone, so come and mingle with us! (Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.) 📸 We'll seek your permission before capturing any moments on camera. Agreeing to be in a photo means you're okay with us sharing it on social media. 🗣 A friendly host will hand you a sticker with your name, native language, and the language you're eager to practice. Feel free to stick to your mother tongue if you prefer. Let's make language learning a joyous journey! 😊 **Stay Connected**: 📸 Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/barcelonalanguageexchange/)! 👍 Like our [Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/thefridaylanguageexchange) to see all the albums! 🌐 Discover more about us on [our website](https://speakquick.es). 📱 **Connect on WhatsApp**: [Join the group here](https://chat.whatsapp.com/D175hLd5PNSLed7e6dPWto) See you there for an evening of laughter, language, and lasting friendships. **Come alone, leave with friends!** 🌍🗣️ \-\-\- 🇪🇸 **¡El Intercambio de Idiomas de Barcelona!** 🌍 ¿Estás listo para una velada llena de práctica de idiomas, nuevas amistades y mucha diversión? Únete a nuestra animada comunidad en Barcelona, donde entusiastas de los idiomas se reúnen para mejorar su nivel y ampliar sus círculos sociales. 🗓️ **Cuándo**: Todos los miércoles a las 19h. 📍 **Dónde**: Soda Bus: calle Aribau 150 (a 10 minutos de los metros Diagonal y Hospital Clinic) ¡Embárcate en una aventura lingüística con nosotros! Nuestras sesiones de intercambio de idiomas tienen lugar en el corazón de la ciudad, en el ambiente único de Soda Bus 😉 🆓 **Entrada Gratuita**, solo te pedimos que tomes una consumición mínima (4€). Este evento inclusivo da la bienvenida a todos, así que ¡ven y únete a nosotros! (Los participantes menores de 18 años deben ir acompañados por un adulto.) 📸 Pediremos tu permiso antes de capturar cualquier momento en cámara. Al aceptar estar en una foto, nos permites compartirla en las redes sociales. 🗣 Un anfitrión te entregará una pegatina con tu nombre, idioma nativo y el idioma que deseas practicar. Siéntete libre de hablar en tu lengua materna si lo prefieres. ¡Hagamos del aprendizaje de idiomas un viaje lleno de alegría! 😊 **Mantente Conectado**: 📸 ¡Síguenos en [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/barcelonalanguageexchange/)! 👍 ¡Dale 'me gusta' a nuestra [página de Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/thefridaylanguageexchange), para ver todos los álbumes! 🌐 Descubre más sobre nosotros en [nuestra web](https://speakquick.es). 📱 **Conéctate en WhatsApp**: [Únete al grupo aquí](https://chat.whatsapp.com/D175hLd5PNSLed7e6dPWto) Nos vemos para una tarde de risas, idiomas y amistades duraderas. **¡Ven solo, márchate con amigos!** 🌍🗣️

Join us for a fun afterwork hangout at Wild Rover Bar where you can socialize, make new friends, and enjoy a great time with like-minded individuals. Whether you're a sports fan looking to catch the game with fellow enthusiasts, or if you simply want to unwind after a long day at work, this event is perfect for you. Connect with international friends, network with others in a relaxed atmosphere, and create lasting memories while enjoying good food and drinks. Let's make this evening a memorable one filled with laughter, friendly conversations, and a vibrant social ambiance. Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 10pm! p.s. don’t forget about the happy hours! 2 pints of estrella 8€ 2 glasses of vine 8€ 2 mix drinks 12€

Studying rook endgames for beginners and above

A casual (but coordinated) coffee break to meet new friends, take a Zoom break, and get your AM caffeine fix. Stop by for a few minutes or stay the whole time. Bring a friend or wander in solo. Come for the coffee and company, or just bring a book to read while surrounded by other in-real-life, community-seeking humans. Come by every Friday, or just when you happen to be in town. Make it whatever you need it to be that week. It's not an \*event\* per se, but we hope these Friday meet-ups can become a fixture of the bookshop! Gathering spot will be in the downstairs area of the bookshop (near the Community Library). Coffee and tea are 1.50€ and can be purchased at the cash register upstairs. Find more info on our Instagram (@backstorybookshop) or website (www.backstorybookshop.com).

Book club. meeting on "On the Calculation of Volume" (Book I) by Solvej Balle, now nominated for the International Booker Prize. Please have actually read the book, and a week before the session, if you aren't going to have finished it in time, please let up your spot! :) We'll have a conversation and light snacks. Please bring something to share, along with your notes, opinions, favorite lines, most hated characters or scenes, etc. Hosted in an artists' home near Arc Triumf.

[Follow us on Instagram! ](https://www.instagram.com/bcnchatnchapters?igsh=aXkycTJsdTNzaHN3) 📷 [Join our WhatsApp group!](https://chat.whatsapp.com/HGcQUlOiwM69tuPm6hBwNt) 📞 Are you guilty of collecting books without finishing them? Struggling to carve out time to delve into that novel you started ages ago? Distractions abound or work piling up? Well, here's a beautiful opportunity: Dive into a unique experience with our Reading Party concept, as featured in the **NY Times**. Picture this: an hour of silent reading followed by lively discussions about the books we've brought along. It's not your typical book club—it's a chance to dust off those neglected novels and party with fellow bookworms! Join Barcelona Reading Party every **two Sundays** at **CRAI UPF** in **CIUTADELLA**. Sunday's is perfect for those who would like to relax before the new work week! Leave your phone on silent and immerse yourself in the joy of reading. Here's the plan: 📕 ***5:00 PM - Arrival*** Arrive early, chat with fellow book lovers, and perhaps snag the best reading spot. 👓 ***5:10 PM - 6:10 PM - Reading Time*** Quietly dive into your book of choice. Feel free to join in whenever you arrive. 📚 ***6:10 PM - 7:10 PM - Book Chats*** Engage in lively conversations about your current reads with other attendees. It's like speed dating, but for bookworms! **Don't forget to bring your book!** *It's a chance to connect with fellow book lovers, swap literary treasures, and engage in thought-provoking discussions in a cozy setting. All are welcome, whether you're a seasoned reader or just starting your literary journey. Get ready for an evening filled with books, tea, and stimulating conversations.*

This month's pick: The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon Backstory’s **Story Squad!** is our book club for young readers — a space to discover incredible stories, share ideas, and nurture a lifelong love of reading. Led by a mom-and-daughter duo, each session is about celebrating books together in a fun and welcoming way. **Instructions** 1. Swing by the shop to pick up a copy of your book 2. Read it 3. Come discuss it Easy peasy! Happy reading!

APP: https://bit.ly/3LRPxUN WHATSAPP GROUP: https://bit.ly/3jLqd5j www.barcelonainternationalsocial.com The best event with KARAOKE at Ogham 🎤 It has two floors, where on the main one we can enjoy our Language Exchange as usual, and on the lower one, the new KARAOKE and a giant JENGA 😃🎉😃 Finally, we have the ultimate event that we all wanted, to spend a fun THURSDAY in the company of international and local people 👌 Where we can socialize, practice languages, sing (optional) & to dance SALSA-BACHTATA (optional)💃 (You only pay for your drinks) HAPPY HOUR unti 9:30pm 🍺 In the best place recently opened with very good communication, it's very beautiful You can enter LA BIBLIO DISCO (FREE) from 12:00 AM to 1 AM Guestlist: NIGHTLIFE 😃🎉😃 ______________________________________________ El mejor evento con KARAOKE en Ogham 🎤 Tiene dos plantas, donde en la principal podremos disfrutar de nuestro Language Exchange como siempre y en la de abajo del nuevo KARAOKE y un JENGA gigante 😃🎉😃 Por fin tenemos el evento definitivo que tod@s queriamos, para pasar un JUEVES divertido en compañía de gente internacional y local 👌 Donde podemos sociabilizar, practicar idiomas, cantar (opcional) & bailar SALSA-BACHTATA (opcional)💃 (Solo se paga tu consumicion) HAPPY HOUR hasta las 20:30h🍺 En el mejor lugar recientemente abierto con muy buena comunicacion, es muy bonito Podeis entrar a la BIBLIO DISCO (FREE) desde las 24:00h a 1am Lista: NIGHTLIFE 😃🎉😃

Our April book is "The Highly Sensitive Person" by Elaine Aron. Join us for exploring the fascinating trait of high sensitivity, in Dr. Aron's pioneering book! Researchers believe approximately 20% of the human population has this trait that affects every dimension of a person's life, including mental and physical health, relationships, and more. Curious if you are highly sensitive? Dr. Aron's Self-Test Questionnaire is available on her website. [Are You Highly Sensitive?](https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/) Also, there's recently been a documentary on the topic of high sensitivity, where Dr. Aron discusses the trait. Here is a trailer. The full movie is available for free on YouTube. [Sensitive: The Untold Story](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXlOyGuvfVE) We'll start the meeting with each person sharing their name and one thing they found interesting or helpful about the book, then have open discussion. Here is the Amazon description of the book: "ARE YOU A HIGHLY SENSITIVE PERSON? Do you have a keen imagination and vivid dreams? Is time alone each day as essential to you as food and water? Are you noted for your empathy? Your conscientiousness? Do noise and confusion quickly overwhelm you? If your answers are yes, you may be a highly sensitive person (HSP) and Dr. Elaine Aron’s The Highly Sensitive Person is the life-changing guide you’ll want in your toolbox. Over twenty percent of people have this amazing, innate trait. Maybe you are one of them. A similar percentage is found in over 100 species, because high sensitivity is a survival strategy. It is also a way of life for HSPs. In this 25th anniversary edition of the groundbreaking classic, Dr. Elaine Aron, a research and clinical psychologist as well as an HSP herself, helps you grasp the reality of your wonderful trait, understand your past in the light of it, and make the most of it in your future. Drawing on her many years of study and face-to-face time spent with thousands of HSPs, she explains the changes you will need to make in order to lead a fuller, richer life. Along with a new Author’s Note, the latest scientific research, and a fresh discussion of anti-depressants, this edition of The Highly Sensitive Person is more essential than ever for creating the sense of self-worth and empowerment every HSP deserves and our planet needs."

Our May book will be Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! Book summary: In a tiny cafe where time travel is possible under strict rules, customers revisit pivotal moments they can't quite change.

Curl up with a good book and a hot cup of your poison of choice. Maybe start a book club to talk about your favs and read together.

Let's talk about it!

Come join us atthe Pickle & International Food Festival in Sterling, VA. There will be pickle inspired foods, international cuisine, craft beer, and live music. THIS IS NOT A TICKET: Tickets can be found on the link below and general admission is $5 + credit card fee Buy ticket here: https://www.crookedrunfermentation.com/pickle-international-food-festival-2026