English Books & Literature

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/)** And feel free to upload a few pictures you might take at the event 😊 JakWri (former Jakarta Creatives) and JakFri is **the** biggest, oldest, most active, and most inclusive MeetUp community in Jakarta… ...and we invite you to join us for this **Fun Writing Challenge Vol. VI** 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** This event is a fun, communal event to train your creative writing muscle. **It's easy and fun, and writers with every level of expertise and every kind of experience are wleomce to join!** This is how it works: Everyone will receive a prompt, and they will need to write a short piece based on that for about 45 minutes to 1h. After that, everyone will read or listen to what the others have written, and we will comment and discuss. We don't aim at criticizing, but at helping and elevating each other. Writing should be fun; writing together is even funnier! Sharing what you have written is optional. You can just join to unleash your creativity and follow the conversation on other's creative journeys. We meet for a circa 2,5 hour session at Mad for Coffee in Cipete for our creative writing challenges. The writing challenge is as follows: 1. Prepare your writing kit (pen and paper, notebook, laptop, phone … take your pick) 2. The theme for each writing challenge session will be different. (For example: “Fools". You can refer to anything you like, from April Fool’s Day to simply feeling silly for doing something.) 3. You have only 45 minutes to 1 h to write anything based on that theme, whether it’s a poem, a flash fiction, a short story, or just a rant. 4. After that time, gather and start sharing what you have just written. (This is, of course, **optional** for those willing to do it.) 5. At the end we will discuss our writing process, and what we liked in other's pieces. We don't want to criticize, but to help and support each others as writers! 6. Just show up and dive into the challenge. Everyone will be working on their stuff, and we won't discuss it during writing. You’ll surprise yourself with what you can do in such a short time. **Be on time.** After the sharing session, you’re welcome to resume your writing mode or simply hang out and chat about writing or anything related. We can also share each other's texts and give feedback, if that's something someone would like to do. We have organised this event before! Take a look here: * **[FUN WRITING CHALLENGE with JakCre](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/events/311180271/)** Vol. V (October 2025) * **[FUN WRITING CHALLENGE with JakCre](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/events/310105704/)** Vol. IV (August 2025) * **[FUN WRITING CHALLENGE with JakCre](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/308515579/?eventOrigin=group_events_list)** Vol. III (July 2025) * **[FUN WRITING CHALLENGE with JakCre](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/307692122/)** Vol. II (June 2025) * **[FUN WRITING CHALLENGE with JakCre](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/306892777/)** Vol. I (April 2025) * **[See all past events of Jakarta Writers here](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/events/?type=past)** **ABOUT THE VENUE** **Mad for Coffee** is a lovely coffeeshop with great coffe and some nice food on the menu. The owners are so kind to have a room or the upstairs terrace for us! At Mad for Coffee they also have regular comedy shows, including one just after our event at 4 PM which we can attend together! Link to be shared soon -- take a look here at a past free comedy event we attended together: [https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/312964219/](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/312964219/) (walk-ins at the comedy event are usually possible, too) * Let's meet directly there! There will be tables prepared for us * At the venue, ask for Corrado or MeetUp at the staff. There will be a MeetUp sign on our table to find us * Here is a link to the venue for more information: [https://www.instagram.com/madforcoffeeid/](https://www.instagram.com/madforcoffeeid/) * We encourage you to reach the event by public transportation MRT Cipete Raya is just 15 minutes walk! **ABOUT THE HOST** **Corrado Nai** has a Ph.D. in microbiology and is a science writer and an avid reader. Talk to him about books on fungi and he'll be elated. His feature articles have been published in Smithsonian Magazine, New Scientist, 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". **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 at the last minute is unfriendly for other attendees, organisers, and venue. Please cancel whitin 2 hours for exceptional circumstances **only**. Otherwise it will count as no-show! * Attendees who bring a +1 need to ensure that their guest knows and respects the rules of our community. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! **WE HAVE A MEMBERSHIP FEE. HOW DOES IT WORK?** Membership can also be paid as a **yearly membership of 320k IDR** valid for 365 days after payment. Membership fee is offered with a **promo discount to first-timers**, who can become members for **240k IDR/year (Option A)**. First-timers can decide to join with a **sneek peak price of 50k IDR & pay the remaining 270k IDR at the next event** they attend **(Option B)**. Registered +1 can attend for free. Renewals (after 365 days) and upgrades (to join JakFri) are offered at a special rate. All this is aimed at encouraging people to sign up, and then to attend as many events as they like! Yearly membership can be paid at an event (cash/bank transfer/Gopay) or beforehand (bank transfer/Gopay). Text Corrado (+62 8211 489 3580) if you have any questions about membership. Membership to **both** Jakarta Writers and Jakarta Friends is offered for **only** 390k IDR/year **(Option C)**. Membership gives **access to all events** plus exclusive perks available only to paying members, like for example our [Give Away Birthday Celebrations with lucky draw](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/300470498) (Sept 2024) or [FREE pasta cooking (and eating 😉) workshop](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/304253623/) (Nov 2024) or [Museum visits with FREE GUIDED TOURS](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/301738408/) (Sept 2024). To most events, attendees can **bring a +1 for free**, and we have some events open to all (paid and unpaid) members. To all members 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. In the past 3 years we have organised up to 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-creatives/events/?type=past)). That is, with your membership you can attend up to 5-10 events! We **guarantee** to keep organising plenty of events. You will receive a **full refund** if the group closes down, or if there’s no event happening in three months. **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⭐) afrom over 500 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

Let’s hang out for a chill sketch & chat sesh! **✨** 🕐 Time: **2026 April 19 (Sunday)** at **13:30** 📍 Location: [Pan Cafe (Dukuh Atas, Menteng)](https://maps.app.goo.gl/etEf9fiq6ARiUeD58) \>\> [Whatsapp Group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BkO0vGN7VVxGS9KC3J3lS1) << click to join or keep updated! A cozy meetup for anyone who wants to doodle, sketch, and have fun conversations. Whether you’re a seasoned sketcher, a casual doodler, or just wanna chat while scribbling, you’re totally welcome! There's no art skill level requirement and we are beginner-friendly. 🎨❤️✏️ Feel free to bring your own drawing tools, a friend, or even a masterpiece you'd like to share with us! ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍

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/)** And feel free to upload a few pictures you might take at the event 😊 JakWri (former Jakarta Creatives) and JakFri is **the** biggest, oldest, most active, and most inclusive MeetUp community in Jakarta… ...and we invite you to join us for this **Fun Writing Challenge Vol. VI** 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** This event is a fun, communal event to train your creative writing muscle. **It's easy and fun, and writers with every level of expertise and every kind of experience are wleomce to join!** This is how it works: Everyone will receive a prompt, and they will need to write a short piece based on that for about 45 minutes to 1h. After that, everyone will read or listen to what the others have written, and we will comment and discuss. We don't aim at criticizing, but at helping and elevating each other. Writing should be fun; writing together is even funnier! Sharing what you have written is optional. You can just join to unleash your creativity and follow the conversation on other's creative journeys. We meet for a circa 2,5 hour session at Mad for Coffee in Cipete for our creative writing challenges. The writing challenge is as follows: 1. Prepare your writing kit (pen and paper, notebook, laptop, phone … take your pick) 2. The theme for each writing challenge session will be different. (For example: “Fools". You can refer to anything you like, from April Fool’s Day to simply feeling silly for doing something.) 3. You have only 45 minutes to 1 h to write anything based on that theme, whether it’s a poem, a flash fiction, a short story, or just a rant. 4. After that time, gather and start sharing what you have just written. (This is, of course, **optional** for those willing to do it.) 5. At the end we will discuss our writing process, and what we liked in other's pieces. We don't want to criticize, but to help and support each others as writers! 6. Just show up and dive into the challenge. Everyone will be working on their stuff, and we won't discuss it during writing. You’ll surprise yourself with what you can do in such a short time. **Be on time.** After the sharing session, you’re welcome to resume your writing mode or simply hang out and chat about writing or anything related. We can also share each other's texts and give feedback, if that's something someone would like to do. We have organised this event before! Take a look here: * **[FUN WRITING CHALLENGE with JakCre](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/events/311180271/)** Vol. V (October 2025) * **[FUN WRITING CHALLENGE with JakCre](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/events/310105704/)** Vol. IV (August 2025) * **[FUN WRITING CHALLENGE with JakCre](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/308515579/?eventOrigin=group_events_list)** Vol. III (July 2025) * **[FUN WRITING CHALLENGE with JakCre](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/307692122/)** Vol. II (June 2025) * **[FUN WRITING CHALLENGE with JakCre](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/306892777/)** Vol. I (April 2025) * **[See all past events of Jakarta Writers here](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/events/?type=past)** **ABOUT THE VENUE** **Mad for Coffee** is a lovely coffeeshop with great coffe and some nice food on the menu. The owners are so kind to have a room or the upstairs terrace for us! At Mad for Coffee they also have regular comedy shows, including one just after our event at 4 PM which we can attend together! Link to be shared soon -- take a look here at a past free comedy event we attended together: [https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/312964219/](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/312964219/) (walk-ins at the comedy event are usually possible, too) * Let's meet directly there! There will be tables prepared for us * At the venue, ask for Corrado or MeetUp at the staff. There will be a MeetUp sign on our table to find us * Here is a link to the venue for more information: [https://www.instagram.com/madforcoffeeid/](https://www.instagram.com/madforcoffeeid/) * We encourage you to reach the event by public transportation MRT Cipete Raya is just 15 minutes walk! **ABOUT THE HOST** **Corrado Nai** has a Ph.D. in microbiology and is a science writer and an avid reader. Talk to him about books on fungi and he'll be elated. His feature articles have been published in Smithsonian Magazine, New Scientist, 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". **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 at the last minute is unfriendly for other attendees, organisers, and venue. Please cancel whitin 2 hours for exceptional circumstances **only**. Otherwise it will count as no-show! * Attendees who bring a +1 need to ensure that their guest knows and respects the rules of our community. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! **WE HAVE A MEMBERSHIP FEE. HOW DOES IT WORK?** Membership can also be paid as a **yearly membership of 320k IDR** valid for 365 days after payment. Membership fee is offered with a **promo discount to first-timers**, who can become members for **240k IDR/year (Option A)**. First-timers can decide to join with a **sneek peak price of 50k IDR & pay the remaining 270k IDR at the next event** they attend **(Option B)**. Registered +1 can attend for free. Renewals (after 365 days) and upgrades (to join JakFri) are offered at a special rate. All this is aimed at encouraging people to sign up, and then to attend as many events as they like! Yearly membership can be paid at an event (cash/bank transfer/Gopay) or beforehand (bank transfer/Gopay). Text Corrado (+62 8211 489 3580) if you have any questions about membership. Membership to **both** Jakarta Writers and Jakarta Friends is offered for **only** 390k IDR/year **(Option C)**. Membership gives **access to all events** plus exclusive perks available only to paying members, like for example our [Give Away Birthday Celebrations with lucky draw](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/300470498) (Sept 2024) or [FREE pasta cooking (and eating 😉) workshop](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/304253623/) (Nov 2024) or [Museum visits with FREE GUIDED TOURS](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/301738408/) (Sept 2024). To most events, attendees can **bring a +1 for free**, and we have some events open to all (paid and unpaid) members. To all members 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. In the past 3 years we have organised up to 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-creatives/events/?type=past)). That is, with your membership you can attend up to 5-10 events! We **guarantee** to keep organising plenty of events. You will receive a **full refund** if the group closes down, or if there’s no event happening in three months. **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⭐) afrom over 500 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

Let’s hang out for a chill sketch & chat sesh! **✨** 🕐 Time: **2026 April 19 (Sunday)** at **13:30** 📍 Location: [Pan Cafe (Dukuh Atas, Menteng)](https://maps.app.goo.gl/etEf9fiq6ARiUeD58) \>\> [Whatsapp Group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BkO0vGN7VVxGS9KC3J3lS1) << click to join or keep updated! A cozy meetup for anyone who wants to doodle, sketch, and have fun conversations. Whether you’re a seasoned sketcher, a casual doodler, or just wanna chat while scribbling, you’re totally welcome! There's no art skill level requirement and we are beginner-friendly. 🎨❤️✏️ Feel free to bring your own drawing tools, a friend, or even a masterpiece you'd like to share with us! ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍

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.

Semi in honor of March being International Women's Month Columbus libraries: [https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3454709](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3454709) Location: SOW Plated Menu: [https://www.sowplated.com/menu-brunch/](https://www.sowplated.com/menu-brunch/) Book summary: In 2006 Julia Lerner is living in Moscow, a recent university graduate in computer science, when she's recruited by Russia's largest intelligence agency. By 2018 she's in Silicon Valley as COO of Tangerine, one of America's most famous technology companies. In between her executive management (make offers to promising startups, crush them and copy their features if they refuse); self promotion (check out her latest op-ed in the WSJ, on Work/Life Balance 2.0); and work in gender equality (transfer the most annoying females from her team), she funnels intelligence back to the motherland. But now Russia's asking for more, and Julia's getting nervous. Alice Lu is a first generation Chinese American whose parents are delighted she's working at Tangerine (such a successful company!). Too bad she's slogging away in the lower echelons, recently dumped, and now sharing her expensive two-bedroom apartment with her cousin Cheri, a perennial "founder's girlfriend". One afternoon, while performing a server check, Alice discovers some unusual activity, and now she's burdened with two powerful but distressing suspicions: Tangerine's privacy settings aren't as rigorous as the company claims they are, and the person abusing this loophole might be Julia Lerner herself. The closer Alice gets to Julia, the more Julia questions her own loyalties. Russia may have placed her in the Valley, but she's the one who built her career; isn't she entitled to protect the lifestyle she's earned?

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.

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.