English Books & Literature

✨Reserve your spot **[HERE](https://www.billetweb.fr/babel-games?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnrExqdCll5nC15v_5BcpSD5HUCdU0vrT9XQEoXfEl44_p7aVxCMHD6ywCUJ0_aem_9BIzybj3kALaqga_QSyyHA)✨** [EN] Discover “Babel Games”, the multilingual improv theatre show that pushes the limits of language on stage! In this show, games and improvisation constraints will test the creativity and linguistic agility of our actors. Mixing French, English, Dutch, Spanish and other languages, “Babel Games” is an experience where gestures, emotions and shared energy speak as loudly as languages. Whether you are multilingual or simply curious to see how improvisation can transcend language barriers, “Babel Games” promises an unforgettable evening full of surprises and human connections. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- [FR] Découvrez "Babel Games", le spectacle d'improvisation théâtrale multilingue qui repousse les limites du langage sur scène ! Dans ce spectacle, des jeux et contraintes d’improvisation vont tester la créativité et l'agilité linguistique de nos comédiens. Mélangeant le français, l’anglais, le néerlandais, l’espagnol et encore d’autres langues, « Babel Games » est une expérience où les gestes, les émotions et l'énergie partagée parlent aussi fort que les langues. Que vous soyez polyglotte ou simplement curieux de voir comment l’improvisation peut transcender les barrières linguistiques, "Babel Games" promet une soirée inoubliable pleine de surprises et de connexions humaines. Cast: Dan Gelbard, Maïder Dechamps, Billy Kissa, Laurie Andrieu Directed by: Laurie Andrieu 📍Where? Où ? [L'Amère à boire Saint-Gilles, Av. Paul Dejaer 20, 1060 Saint-Gilles ](https://lamereaboire.com/fr/) 🏷 Price? Prix? \- Price: 15 euros / Prix: 15 euros \- Price students/unemployed/artists: 13 euros Prix étudiants/sans-emploi/artistes: 13 euros ✨Reserve your spot **[HERE](https://www.billetweb.fr/babel-games?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnrExqdCll5nC15v_5BcpSD5HUCdU0vrT9XQEoXfEl44_p7aVxCMHD6ywCUJ0_aem_9BIzybj3kALaqga_QSyyHA)✨** Doors open at 19:30 The Show is organised by **[Atlas, impros du monde - Bruxelles](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555684306970)**[ ](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555684306970)

Hello everyone! Ready for another quiz? This month, our quiz will be a bit later, but we hope that will give you more time to gather all the knowledge to win! Come and show us how clever you are and help raise money for Amnesty at the same time! Entry is **24 euro** for a team of up to **4 people** (no more!). Do you want you with more people? You may split in several teams! Show everyone how knows more! There are prizes for the top three teams, as well as the team bringing up the rear. Payment possible by cash, card or phone. If you would like to reserve a table, **please contact the James Joyce directly**. They will book a table for you. See you on the 23rd!

Meet and make new Friends after work.

\| Scéal Eile is back with another jam-packed schedule of fantastic Irish film that started on April 21st. *The Blue Road: The Edna O'Brien Story, Saipan,* and and many more films are being shown here in Brussels and in Leuven, Antwerp, and Ghent. The festival is committed to presenting the best of Irish cinema in Belgium.The festival is presented in collaboration with the Irish Film Institute’s IFI International programme and supported by Culture Ireland. This year's Scéal Eile festival is proudly sponsored by the Irish Embassy Belgium, the IFI International Programme, the Northern Ireland Executive, the UK Mission to the EU, Culture Ireland, the Irish College Leuven and Solas Creative Agency. For the full list of films visit the festival's website below: with screenings in Leuven, Brussels,Antwerp and Ghent. Please note different venues in Brussels. \|https://www\.bestofirishfilm\.be/

Socializing and Networking 🛜🆕 at PLUX on Thursday. Making new friends and drinking 🚰🎈🎉🚿🌊. Everybody Welocme, locals, expats or new 🆕 in town.

[How to Play](https://youtu.be/xShivFRxmgE?is=PcgKoFQvcyX_M2FU) [Gameplay](https://youtu.be/hopiSHqQ3VI?is=y39pTo-rje7spM0S) Speakeasy will transport you to the roaring 1920s during the era of Prohibition. Manhattan was under the firm control of Lucky Luciano, a prominent mobster. To strengthen his grip on the territory, he implemented a well-structured system. He divided Manhattan into different districts, each assigned to a specific mobster responsible for handling their "business" operations. The ultimate goal is simple: accumulate the most money and become the most successful mobster in the city. Do you have what it takes to rise to the top of the speakeasy scene and take over Manhattan during Prohibition? It's time to grab your fedora and find out in Speakeasy.

**Experience Deep Relaxation & Mental Clarity with Access Bars®** ​Imagine letting go of stress, overthinking, and emotional blocks—effortlessly. Access Bars® is a gentle, hands-on technique that activates 32 points on your head, helping to release stored thoughts, beliefs, and tension, leaving you feeling lighter, clearer, and more at ease. **Reiki** is a gentle, non-invasive practice that supports deep relaxation, nervous system regulation, and energetic rebalancing. It can help release stress, quiet mental overload, and restore a greater sense of clarity and ease. ​ ​Your Session ​️ Duration: 30min or 60min in total ​ In-Person Only – Feel the full benefits in a calm and welcoming space. ​ ​ Investment in Your Well-being: ​30-min session: 25 EUR or 2 Common Hub Tokens (2 CHT) ​60-min session: 50 EUR or 4 Common Hub Tokens (4 CHT) ​ ​Book your session now and give yourself the gift of relaxation, clarity, and renewed energy! ✨ Booking: [https://koalendar.com/e/access-bars-CHB](https://koalendar.com/e/access-bars-CHB) If you are interested in a session in another time slot, send me a private message and we can book it. **About Your Host:** ​​​This experience is guided by Mara [Regina](https://linktr.ee/reginadgaia) D'Gaia, holistic therapist and access bars practitioner. ​​​ Contact: [integractiveconnections@gmail.com](http://integractiveconnections@gmail.com) https://livingbloom.life ​​​ Follow on Instagram: [@reginadgaia](http://www.instagram.com/reginadgaia)

Hello, readers ! In April we are reading The Hour Of The Star by Clarice Lispector . We will meet at Maison de Quartier Malibran, Rue de la Digue 10, 1050 Ixelles. **Please keep your RSVP up to date** and happy reading!

For our second meeting, we’ll be discussing Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy — a gripping and atmospheric novel that blends mystery, nature writing, and climate fiction. About the book: Dominic Salt and his three children are the caretakers of Shearwater, a remote island not far from Antarctica that houses one of the world’s largest seed banks. As rising sea levels threaten the island, they are among the last inhabitants left, preparing to move the precious seeds to safer ground. During the worst storm the island has ever seen, a mysterious woman named Rowan washes ashore. As the family nurses her back to health, their suspicion slowly turns into connection. But Rowan is hiding the truth about why she came to Shearwater—and soon she discovers that Dominic may be hiding secrets of his own. As powerful storms gather around the island, they must decide whether they can trust one another enough to protect the seeds in their care—and whether they can leave the tragedies of the past behind to build something new together.

We'll be discussing Bezoar And Other Unsettling Stories by Guadalupe Nettel and choosing the next book. This is a short book so you may also read My Friends by Fredrik Backman.

📚 Book Club Invitation: *Jesus and John Wayne* by Kristin Kobes Du Mez For our next meeting, we’ll be discussing *Jesus and John Wayne*, a thought-provoking book about how religion, culture, masculinity, and politics became deeply intertwined in modern evangelical America. Kristin Kobes Du Mez explores how certain ideals of strength, leadership, and nationalism came to shape a religious movement and what that has meant for faith, society, and public life. If you’re interested in questions about religion, power, identity, and culture, this book offers plenty to reflect on and discuss. 📅 Date: Saturday, 25 April ⏰ Time: 11:30 📍 Venue: Carpe Diem, Avenue de Tervuren 13, 1040 Brussels Expect an open and engaging discussion in a relaxed setting, with good coffee and good company. As always, you’re welcome whether you finished the book or just want to join the conversation. Those who wish can stay for lunch afterwards. 🏡 Book Club Home Rules 1️⃣ You’re welcome even if you didn’t finish the book. 2️⃣ We listen to understand, not to win. 3️⃣ Curiosity, respect, and openness come first. Looking forward to another lively exchange of ideas. 📞 Questions: 0474.60.83.70

Common Ground Book Club
An in-person reading group exploring critical theory, from the Frankfurt School to contemporary thinkers. We’ll read books and essays, and our discussions will focus on society, power, and modern phenomena: from politics to media and social trends. 
Fifth Meeting
We will discuss “The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere” by J. Habermas: https://allen-webb-wmu.github.io/website/habermas.pdf
 Who is it for?
No prior philosophy or theory background is required, just curiosity and a willingness to engage. I (the organiser) am not an expert; I just seek other kind souls who want to exchange thoughts ✨ 
Format
• Readings may be short essays, selected chapters, or full books.
• Each meeting begins with a short recap/introduction of the text.
• Open, informal discussion.
• Everyone is encouraged to bring a passage or question they found interesting, confusing, or provocative.
• Language of discussion: English.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please reach out on Meet-up :)

This event aims to gather science fiction enthusiasts to come discuss about the series they have picked to read in the following list: Children of Time, Tchaikovsky Pandora series, Peter Hamilton The Hyperion Cantos, Dan Simmons A memory called empire, Arkady Martine Terra Ignota, Ada Palmer Ideally we could meet in a park if the weather is already pleasant, otherwise we will find a cafe with a calm area where we can discuss around a drink/breakfast. Feel free to join us even if you haven’t finished the series. Please note, however, that we will be discussing all the books—including the ending—so there will be spoilers.

[This is a paid event and sign-up via the website is obligatory](https://www.wordcraft-collective.eu/courses/the-unit-and-the-whole%3A-how-to-construct-your-poetry-pamphlet). After running this very successful workshop in autumn 2025 we are running it again for those who might have missed out the first time. In this workshop we will explore how to bring together a group of poems to produce a pamphlet or book. We will explore the notion of the poetry pamphlet versus full collection in terms of the function and purpose of each and how they operate. We will think about structuring a body of work, how to sequence poems and what the organising principles might be. How does the placing of poems together change or enhance the poem? How do we build on and around key themes? We will look at examples of published pamphlets and books to consider how and why authors have brought poems together in the way they have, identifying the choices and opportunities available to poets. Participants are encouraged to bring along their own poems or projects in progress to discuss with others in the group. This workshop is run by poet Paul Stephenson, who has published three poetry pamphlets and one collection.

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. **LATE LUNCH:** *After we browse the bookstore maze, let's gather for the best traditional Jewish deli in town, [Katzingers!](katzingers.com) Choices include stacked Reubens, hot pastromi on rye, chicken salad, macaroni salad, knish, chicken soup, NY cheesecake, and dozens of other sandwiches and sides!* **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.