Queer Books

***Zone One* by Colson Whitehead** (2011) Mark Spitz, a civilian sweeper assigned to reclaim Manhattan after a catastrophic pandemic, spends his days moving block by block through the remaining infected zones, clearing out the last remnants of the outbreak so society can attempt to begin again. As he navigates abandoned streets, stalled skyscrapers, and the echoes of his former life, the work becomes both routine and reckoning. Over the course of several days, memories surface and the fragile boundary between what was lost and what remains begins to blur, revealing how difficult it is to rebuild a world that refuses to stay buried. **Colson Whitehead** is an acclaimed American author known for blending literary craft with sharp social insight across genres. His work often reimagines history and speculative scenarios to explore race, memory, power, and American identity, earning him multiple major awards, including two Pulitzer Prizes. He’s widely admired for taking familiar forms and quietly bending them into something stranger, smarter, and more unsettling. **Themes to Keep in Mind While Reading (Non-Spoiler)** 1. **Memory as Survival** How do memories shape the way characters experience the present, and when do they help survival versus quietly undermine it? 2. **Routine After Catastrophe** What does the return of routines and procedures suggest about how people adapt to life after the world has fundamentally changed? 3. **Rebuilding vs. Repeating** Does the effort to rebuild point toward meaningful change, or does it risk recreating the same structures and assumptions that existed before? **Before the event …** * **Read the book. 🤩** * **Keep your RSVP up-to-date.** If you can't make it out, update your RSVP at least 24 hours beforehand. Attendance will be taken and "No Show"s marked. **At the event …** * **We’re a friendly welcoming bunch and we love new folks!** 😍 * **Please purchase something (even if just a soda) while you’re at the restaurant.** They’re running a business but being super awesome by giving us a space to meet for free. Also, please tip our servers. We’re a big bunch to wrangle. ***2026 Austin Horror Book Club Selections*** *[Click here to see this year's books!](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iGygwFn0yfyAgDl8-HpNjNcdhhNJn6H0AnmpFBVwywo/edit?usp=sharing)*

Queer crafters of all types are welcome to bring a portable project. We will chat and craft together. Most of our regulars don't check in on Meetup, so come even if no one is signed up. Weather permitting, we usually sit outside! Our group is usually around 5 people, but we have some bigger and smaller days -- we're all busy. Very rarely we'll have only one person show up; our sincerest apologies if that happens to you.

Come find fellow readers at our BYOB (Bring Your Own Book) social where good company meets good reads! Our schedule: 30 mins of getting to know each other, 45 mins of focused reading, then rest of the time for open chat. Bring your current read and prepare for a fun, social event!

SOLD OUTOpen play event at Apex. Cost is $15 plus tax to signup here is the link to signup with Apex Directly. You’ll need to download their pod play app for entry into the venue

We play a wide variety of Euro-style board games, including anything new that's out there plus usual favorites. Bring your favorite game! Someone will most likely want to try it. Game Kastle has snacks and drinks, plus there is a Subway, Taco Bell, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Wing Street and Wanfu in the shopping center. Sorry, no alcohol allowed in the store. There are usually 10+ folks playing games, regardless of the number that sign up. If you show up after 1pm, you may have to wait.

Please RSVP to get you First lesson for FREE. Please remember: Text or call with a message about your attending is Required before you come to any of these classes to make sure the class has not been canceled for that day. Please text or call and leave a message before attending at: 512-296-5678 ******************************************************************************** http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/2/b/a/event_184297562.jpeg http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/a/c/6/event_184299622.jpeg http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/5/c/6/event_184298342.jpeg We always have over 20 regular attendees at our classes plus new comers like you so they are not listed on RSVP list here. You can also RSVP for this meetup Salsa class on Facebook by click on the link below: Please RSVP here on this meetup so you can get the following 3 bonuses: First Bonus to our First time visitor: First Lesson is FREE for all First time students as our First bonus to you for Joining our Dance meetup Group. Second Bonus to our first time Students: At your First visit, If you sign up for any of our group dance classes packages, you'll get the most affordable discounted packages as the following: 1 Month group classes %25 Off 3 Months group classes package %43 Off 6 Months group classes package %60 Off 12 Months group classes packages %70 Off Third Bonus At your First visit, If you sign up for any of our group dance classes packages, you would get a privilege to freeze your package for a week or more when you go out of town or when every you can not make your classes for a week or longer than a week. ********************************************** Any of your guest sign up to our classes, you would get $10 credit towards your future classes with us. Avila Soccer Dance Hall 8863 Anderson Mill Road, Suite # 107 · Austin, TX 78729 You will always meet up new people at our on going regular classes attendees who are keep coming for months or years so partner is not necessary at our classes. Our dance classes are Fun, Friendly , and easy to learn all moves at any level whether you are very beginner or experienced dancer. You can ask any time for a few private lessons if you like to learn your favorite dance at a much easier pace to you most favorite level of skills in a very short time. *********************************************** For more info for: Private lessons in Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, Cha-Cha, Merengue, Rumba, Argentine Tango, Swing , Country western Two step One Step. Country Waltz, Jitterbug (country swing), Ballroom, or for booking for Wedding Dance Lessons to prepare Bride and Groom for their first dance or Dance lessons for Quinceanera or Sweet 16 to prepare them for their celebration Day and a group dance lesson for the wedding guests or at a weekly office or corporate lunch time group classes or a for a corporate employee appreciation party dance Lesson, or at Holidays , Birthday, graduation party or for any party event dance Lesson please contact : Dance U2 dance company Tony Mogadam Text / call : 512-296-5678 www.DanceU2.com

Please RSVP to get you First lesson for FREE. Please remember: Text or call with a message about your attending is Required before you come to any of these classes to make sure the class has not been canceled for that day. Please text or call and leave a message before attending at: 512-296-5678 ******************************************************************************** We always have over 20 regular attendees at our classes plus new comers like you so they are not listed on RSVP list here. You can also RSVP for this meetup Salsa class on Facebook by click on the link below: Please RSVP here on this meetup so you can get the following 3 bonuses: First Bonus to our First time visitor: First Lesson is FREE for all First time students as our First bonus to you for Joining our Dance meetup Group. Second Bonus to our first time Students: At your First visit, If you sign up for any of our group dance classes packages, you'll get the most affordable discounted packages as the following: 1 Month group classes %25 Off 3 Months group classes package %43 Off 6 Months group classes package %60 Off 12 Months group classes packages %70 Off Third Bonus At your First visit, If you sign up for any of our group dance classes packages, you would get a privilege to freeze your package for a week or more when you go out of town or when every you can not make your classes for a week or longer than a week. ********************************************** Any of your guest sign up to our classes, you would get $10 credit towards your future classes with us. Avila Soccer Dance Hall 8863 Anderson Mill Road, Suite # 107 · Austin, TX 78729 You will always meet up new people at our on going regular classes attendees who are keep coming for months or years so partner is not necessary at our classes. Our dance classes are Fun, Friendly , and easy to learn all moves at any level whether you are very beginner or experienced dancer. You can ask any time for a few private lessons if you like to learn your favorite dance at a much easier pace to you most favorite level of skills in a very short time. *********************************************** For more info for: Private lessons in Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, Cha-Cha, Merengue, Rumba, Argentine Tango, Swing , Country western Two step One Step. Country Waltz, Jitterbug (country swing), Ballroom, or for booking for Wedding Dance Lessons to prepare Bride and Groom for their first dance or Dance lessons for Quinceanera or Sweet 16 to prepare them for their celebration Day and a group dance lesson for the wedding guests or at a weekly office or corporate lunch time group classes or a for a corporate employee appreciation party dance Lesson, or at Holidays , Birthday, graduation party or for any party event dance Lesson please contact : Dance U2 dance company Tony Mogadam Text / call : 512-296-5678 www.DanceU2.com

Come play pickleball and make new friends at Pickleland! 🏓 \*\*\* **Important: Please sign up on the Pickleland App ([iOS](https://pickleland.com/ios) \| [Android](https://pickleland.com/android)) or [website](https://play.pickleland.com) directly.** \*\*\* We divide our open play by levels! 😄 (All levels welcome!) If you've never played, come and learn the rules! We have other beginners join us every day. You don't need a paddle, we have some you can rent ($10)! If you are an avid player, come and find some nice and friendly competition. If this time doesn't work for you, we are open M-F 7am to 10pm, and Sat-Sun 8am-8pm. Find other times on the Pickleland App ([iOS](https://pickleland.com/ios) \| [Android](https://pickleland.com/android)) or [website](https://play.pickleland.com). The website and app will show the most accurate roster and sign up count! The perfect activity for couples, families or people coming in solo! Come mingle, get active, and make new friends! Follow [@picklelandatx](https://www.instagram.com/picklelandatx/) for more!

Come play pickleball and make new friends at Pickleland! 🏓 \*\*\* **Important: Please sign up on the Pickleland App ([iOS](https://pickleland.com/ios) \| [Android](https://pickleland.com/android)) or [website](https://play.pickleland.com) directly.** \*\*\* We divide our open play by levels! 😄 (All levels welcome!) If you've never played, come and learn the rules! We have other beginners join us every day. You don't need a paddle, we have some you can rent ($10)! If you are an avid player, come and find some nice and friendly competition. If this time doesn't work for you, we are open M-F 7am to 10pm, and Sat-Sun 8am-8pm. Find other times on the Pickleland App ([iOS](https://pickleland.com/ios) \| [Android](https://pickleland.com/android)) or [website](https://play.pickleland.com). The website and app will show the most accurate roster and sign up count! The perfect activity for couples, families or people coming in solo! Come mingle, get active, and make new friends! Follow [@picklelandatx](https://www.instagram.com/picklelandatx/) for more!

Join us for our March Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *The Manor of Dreams* by Christina Li in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

This Month's Book: The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen. Join us for discussion at the Granville Public Library from 6 to 7pm. Follow us on Instagram: @granvillepridebookclub

**We are expanding our creative programming opportunities with Queer Quills, a quiet writing and sharing space. Queer Quills features some prompts, supplies and friendly faces to help get some inspiration or feedback for your writing. Hope to see you there!**

Join fellow Queer birders on February 22nd for birding at Pickerington Ponds Metropark. No expertise required!

Welcome, readers! Our February read is **_1984 by George Orwell._** In 1984, George Orwell imagines a world where the government watches everyone, rewrites reality, and punishes even private thoughts. Winston Smith dares to question this system, believing that truth and love might still exist. His rebellion draws him into a chilling struggle against a power that knows him better than he knows himself. The novel leaves readers asking whether freedom is possible when reality itself can be controlled. 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! 📖

Columbus libraries: [https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3262835](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3262835) Location: [Knotty Pine Brewing](https://www.knottypinebrewing.net/) [Menu, scroll to the bottom](https://www.knottypinebrewing.net/menus-1) Book summary: Adunni is a fourteen-year-old Nigerian girl who knows what she wants: an education. This, her mother has told her, is the only way to get a "louding voice" -- the ability to speak for herself and decide her own future. But instead, Adunni's father sells her to be the third wife of a local man who is eager for her to bear him a son and heir. When Adunni runs away to the city, hoping to make a better life, she finds that the only other option before her is servitude to a wealthy family. As a yielding daughter, a subservient wife, and a powerless slave, Adunni is told, by words and deeds, that she is nothing. But while misfortunes might muffle her voice for a time, they cannot mute it. And when she realizes that she must stand up not only for herself, but for other girls, for the ones who came before her and were lost, and for the next girls, who will inevitably follow, she finds the resolve to speak, however she can--in a whisper, in song, in broken English--until she is heard