Novel Reading

Hi all, we’ll be discussing Things Fall Apart by China Achebe. New members are welcome to join as well. We’ll be meeting at Wereldcafé.coop, a quiet place run by volunteers with organic food & drinks. Participation fee is €1. See you there, and happy reading! Here's a list of what we've read so far: Character by Ferdinand Bordewijk (1938) Death in Venice by Thomas Mann (1911) Dom Casmurro by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis (1899) Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (1847) Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin (1956) Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (2021) Sátántangó by László Krasznahorkai (1985) The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925) The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (1940) The Odyssey by Homer (c. 800 BCE) Maurice by E.M. Forster (1914) Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee (1999) The Trial by Franz Kafka (1925) Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre (1938) Thérèse Raquin by Émile Zola (1867) All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque (1929) Middlemarch by George Eliot (1872) The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes (2011) Elective Affinities by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1809) Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (1955) Gilgamesh (c. 2100 BCE) Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (1925) The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann (1924) Chess by Stefan Zweig (1942) Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata (1935) The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (1939) The Blind Owl by Sadegh Hedayat (1937) The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy (1886) Stoner by John Williams (1965) The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (1989) Oeroeg by Hella S. Haasse (1948) Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger (1961) The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (1963) The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera (1984) Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (1899)

Do you like keeping your French up to date? Or do you want to help the ones that need some help here? If so, this meet up activity might be something for you :) Let's meet in order to have conversations in French together! * How to find us? - This meetup will take place at an easy to find venue, which is very close to subway station Gare Central and nearly to Grande place Brussels In this venue, it's possible to eat a little something - or to just have some drinks. we are in the hotel there is the big table , If you want speak with a few people you can change your chair or your place. For those who already speak a bit of French - ANYONE that can take part in the Meet up without having to ask "What does this mean?" all the time, is MORE than welcome! (And yes, pretending to understand it all and "Nodd and smile IS allowed :) ) Because reading and listening are very good teachers too... In fact anything that doesn't slow down practicing the language goes :) Or in more strict words: this Meet up is not the best place to go to for absolute beginners If you can not find call please Olivier 0476600552 or Mehrdad 0486652242 [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rue+du+March%C3%A9+Aux+Herbes+100,+1000+Bruxelles/@50.8466178,4.3551211,3a,28.7y,35.83h,95.4t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1spHFBcXTJGMiNd7y_1PFAgg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x47c3c47f9e11971f:0x7c45bfb50b08362a!8m2!3d50.8467965!4d4.3553835](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rue+du+March%C3%A9+Aux+Herbes+100,+1000+Bruxelles/@50.8466178,4.3551211,3a,28.7y,35.83h,95.4t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1spHFBcXTJGMiNd7y_1PFAgg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x47c3c47f9e11971f:0x7c45bfb50b08362a!8m2!3d50.8467965!4d4.3553835) Address is Rue du Marché Aux Herbes 100 Enjoy the Meetup!

This workshop explores relaxation through movement, massage, and the experience of being supported and moved by others. Working individually and in pairs, we will gradually move from self-awareness practices into exercises that cultivate trust, weight-sharing, and deep physical release. Through breath, self-massage, body shaking, skeletal awareness, and guided partner work, participants are invited to let go of unnecessary effort and discover new ways of resting in movement. Through carefully guided exercises, one partner learns to receive and support while the other practices releasing control and allowing movement to happen. Drawing inspiration from somatic practices, contemporary dance, and [Thai massage](https://fusion-circus.com/contemporary-thai-yoga-massage/), we will explore how touch, support, and gravity can become resources for relaxation. ### For whom This workshop is open to all levels and does not require any previous experience in dance, movement, or bodywork. It may be of interest to people who would like to: * Relax and release physical and mental tension * Develop greater awareness of their body * Explore movement as a practice of listening and presence * Experience touch and partner work in a respectful and non-competitive environment * Cultivate trust, ease, and comfort in moving with others Registration is obligatory: https://fusion-circus.com/events/relaxation-30june/

Command a global superpower and shape world politics. Build alliances, expand influence, and manage economic and military power. A heavyweight geopolitical strategy game defined by diplomacy and shifting alliances. [How to Play](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0Oh8KCFJuQ) [BGG](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/403150/world-order) [Rulebook](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_vlV6jowGE0ebpU7sd2w2cb-5JEin7-l/view?usp=drivesdk) While everyone is welcome and no previous experience is required, please note that this is a more complex and longer game. I strongly recommend watching the how-to-play video and checking out the rules beforehand to help the game run smoothly.

Would you like to improve your language skills and networking in a casual atmosphere? This event is for you! All languages welcome! Everyone is welcome! The aim is to speak with native/fluent speakers of your target language(s). You'll be around all types of people throughout the whole event. We will be in a private area. A great atmosphere is guaranteed! You'll have to order a drink to attend the event 😀 Don't hesitate to contact us for any further information

**Welcome to our June UX Beers in Antwerp!** This time, we will host our event on Tuesday the 30th of June at Craftzing in Antwerp. [Ariad](https://www.ariadgroup.com/) and [Creative Skills](https://www.creativeskills.be/) sponsor our events. Follow the event online? We stream live via [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBqyTDAyQBw) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# UX TALKS **Talk 1:** **UX with AI: Did we all just get promoted?** By An-Sofie Rombouts, Product designer @ Gorilla Working in a startup often means designing without established UX processes. So with AI emerging, it can feel like a lifeline: faster prototyping, '*deeper*' research, and more concepts to explore. But somewhere between the third AI-generated prototype and losing the thread of your prompted designs, it can become painfully obvious what the impact is of designing with LLMs. We're not executing anymore, we're reviewing, approving, and critiquing, like a manager. This talk gets honest about what that actually means: the speed gains are real, but the cognitive debt is quietly compounding, and your future as a designer depends on understanding why. Explore how designers can protect their cognitive depth, enhance their review capacity, and stay in control when the machine can almost draw anything. **Talk 2:** **Growing UX in organisations that are not there yet.** By Koen Peters, Designer at Namahn More and more organisations are asking us to help build design expertise in-house, even putting together a design team for them. I have learnt that in such cases, you need to set aside your own biases and assumptions first: your neatly mapped-out methodology, your Figma dogmas and all the other things you as a design agency take for granted. The reality in these organisations is often very different: limited resources, no design culture and few or no trained designers on the team. Through a few client case studies, I will show how we have tackled such challenges. Organising a training in UX and design thinking is a good first step, offering a chance to get to know the team and identify which skills are already there and which are missing. I will also demonstrate tools and activities that we have used to help a team get started and become more aware of UX research and design. These include a script for choosing the right UX approach, skills assessment models to identify gaps and first steps towards creating a design playbook. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# SCHEDULE 18:00 - Doors open. Drinks & snacks 19.00 - 19.15 - Introduction to UX Belgium Meetup, announcements 19.15 - 19:45 - Talk #1 19:45 -20:15 - BREAK 20:15 - 20:45 - Talk #2 20:45 - 21:30 - Socialize \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# SLACK CHANNEL We have our own UX Belgium slack channel. [Come join us and say hi!](https://join.slack.com/t/ux-belgium/shared_invite/zt-1bjpnuiog-T4Di4flXYPWgbT9KrZ53CA) \*\*\* \#\#\# YOUTUBE CHANNEL All our livestreams and talks are recorded and available on our [UX Belgium youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCno7V18T-EglYXprgrUZQ7A). \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# ABOUT UX BELGIUM UX Belgium is a growing community of User Experience (UX) professionals in and around Belgium. Look for these types of events: UX Beers Periodically, we gather at a different agency or venue to drink beers, network and listen to speakers on various themes in the world of UX and digital design. UX Antwerp: Each last Tuesday of the month UX Brussels: Each second Tuesday of the month, 4x per year UX Workshops Now and then we organize events to dive deeper into specific skills and techniques in UX. These are smaller, hands-on workshops designed to boost your UX toolbox. \*\*\* The UX Belgium Meetup Team

EN (FR en bas): We're still accepting people in our classes. Join us!​ -step 1: Book here! -> [https://www.danceproject.be/reservations.html](https://www.danceproject.be/reservations.html) -step 2: Show up! [Schedule](https://www.danceproject.be/classes.html#schedule) Fees : [All info on trials, packs, subscriptions here](https://www.danceproject.be/classes.html#fees) Locations: -Parc du Cinquantenaire, Brussels Metro/Tram: Mérode Salsa, Bachata, Lindy Hop, Forró Intro - 1: From base to the dancefloor! When you come for the first time we go over the base & rhythm with you. Then you are included in the group and everybody learns the same new steps for which you just need the base. Practice makes perfect: just relax and enjoy Salsa, Bachata, Lindy Hop and/or Forró! Our group is very welcoming and looking forward to meet new dancers! Salsa, Bachata, Lindy Hop, Forró Roots I - 2: Ready to go deeper on Salsa, Bachata, Lindy Hop &/or Forró? Let's go! [https://www.danceproject.be/classes.html#improvers](https://www.danceproject.be/classes.html#improvers) Salsa, Forró Roots II - 3: Looking for #SalsaChallenge? Already familiar with Forró Root? We've got your back! [https://www.danceproject.be/classes.html#intermediates](https://www.danceproject.be/classes.html#intermediates) More info: -Web: [https://www.danceproject.be](https://www.danceproject.be) -Whatsapp: +32 493 16 41 10 -Mail: brussels.salsa.project@gmail.com -[Facebook](https://facebook.com/brussels.salsa.project) -[Instagram](https://instagram.com/brussels.salsa.project) \-\-\-\-\- FR: Nous acceptons encore de nouvelles personnes dans nos cours. Rejoins-nous ! -1ère pas : Fait ta réservation ! -> [https://www.danceproject.be/reservation.html](https://www.danceproject.be/reservation.html) -2ème pas : Vient danser ! [Horaire](https://www.danceproject.be/cours.html#horaire) Les prix : [Toutes les infos sur les essais, packs, abonnements ici](https://www.danceproject.be/cours.html#prix) Endroits : -Parc du Cinquantenaire, Brussels Metro/Tram: Mérode Salsa, Bachata, Lindy Hop, Forró Intro - 1 : De la base à la piste de danse ! Lorsque tu nous rejoins on voit la base et le rythme avec toi. Ensuite, tu es inclus dans le groupe et tout le monde apprend les mêmes pas pour lesquelles tu as juste besoin de la base. C'est en forgeant qu'on devient forgeron : détend-toi et profite la Salsa, de la Bachata, du Lindy Hop et/ou du Forró ! Notre groupe est très accueillant et a hâte de rencontrer de nouveaux danseurs ! Salsa, Bachata, Lindy Hop, Forró Roots I - 2 : Prêt à approfondir la Salsa, la Bachata, le Lindy Hop &/ou le Forró ? Allons-y! [https://www.danceproject.be/cours.html#inities](https://www.danceproject.be/cours.html#inities) Salsa, Forró Roots II - 3 : Tu cherches #DefiSalsa ? Tu connais déjà Forró Roots ? Nous sommes là pour toi ! [https://www.danceproject.be/cours.html#intermediaires](https://www.danceproject.be/cours.html#intermediaires) Plus d’info: -Web: [https://www.danceproject.be/fr.html](https://www.danceproject.be/fr.html) -Whatsapp: +32 493 16 41 10 -Mail: brussels.salsa.project@gmail.com -[Facebook](https://facebook.com/brussels.salsa.project) -[Instagram](https://instagram.com/brussels.salsa.project)

El libro de julio es *Los árboles mueren de pie* de Alejandro Casona, es una obra teatral en tres actos publicada y estrenada en Buenos Aires en 1949. El señor Balboa tenía un nieto desalmado al que, un día, tuvo que echar de casa. Luego de un tiempo, para que su esposa no se deprima, Balboa empieza a escribir cartas apócrifas haciéndose pasar por su nieto. El nieto de verdad decide volver a su hogar (en busca de dinero), pero el barco en el que venía se pierde. Balboa contrata a Mauricio para que, en combinación con una linda muchacha, Isabel, finjan ante la abuela ser el nieto perdido y su feliz esposa. Hasta ahora hemos leído: Los árboles caídos también son el bosque de Alejandra Kamiya Niñapájaroglaciar de Mariana Matija Te di ojos y miraste las tinieblas de Irene Solà Diario de Japón de María José Ferrada. Antigua vida mía de Marcela Serrano Te quejas de llena de Paola Molina Un lugar soleado para gente sombría de Mariana Enriquez La invención de Morel de Adolfo Bioy Casares Nubosidad variable de Carmen Martín Gaite Temporada de huracanes de Fernanda Melchor La fortuna de Matilda Turpin de Álvaro Pombo Cadáver exquisito de Agustina Bazterrica. El país de la canela de William Ospina Los hombres invisibles de Mario Mendoza La próxima vez que te vea te mato de Paulina Flores Salvo mi corazón todo está bien de Héctor Abad Faciolince Chamanes eléctricos en la fiesta del sol de Mónica Ojeda Roza tumba quema de Claudia Hernández Mujeres del alma mía de Isabel Allende. Huaco retrato de Gabriela Wiener Los pasos perdidos de Alejo Carpentier Tres enigmas para la organización de Eduardo Mendoza. Delirio de Laura Restrepo Cuentos completos de Marvel Moreno El ruido de las cosas al caer de Juan Gabriel Vásquez Feria de Ana Iris Simón Ficciones de Jorge Luis Borges Canto yo y la montaña baila de Irene Solà La isla de los hombres solos de José León Sánchez Historias de cronopios y de famas de Julio Cortázar La hija única de Guadalupe Nettel Cauterio de Lucía Lijtmaer Elena sabe de Elena Piñeiro Castigo divino de Sergio Ramírez El beso de la mujer araña de Manuel Puig Monsieur Pain de Roberto Bolaño. Cuentos completos (volumen I) de Julio Cortázar As usual for the first Saturday group, you may use both English and Spanish during the book discussion; you just need an acceptable level of oral comprehension of both languages to fully enjoy it. Participar cuesta 1€ (para cubrir el coste de la suscripción a MeetUp). Durante la conversación elegiremos el libro para el mes siguiente, podéis proponer cualquier libro que os apetezca leer o discutir. El número de participantes está limitado. Si no podéis participar, por favor, indicadlo actualizando el RSPV en MeetUp.

Let's meet to write ! Schedule : 11:00 - 11:30 am : Presentation tour. Share briefly with the group about your project and your "goal of the day". 11:30 - 13:30 : Let's write ! 13:30 : Conclusion tour. Did you achieve your goal of the day ? See you soon !

📚 Book Club Invitation: When the World Sleeps: Stories, Words, and Wounds of Palestine by Francesca Albanese For our next meeting, we’ll be discussing When the World Sleeps, a powerful and deeply human exploration of life under occupation, the role of language in shaping reality, and the personal stories often hidden behind headlines. Drawing on years of experience as a human rights expert and observer of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Francesca Albanese examines how narratives are formed, whose voices are heard, and what happens when suffering becomes invisible to much of the world. The book raises important questions about justice, memory, identity, international responsibility, and the power of words to both reveal and obscure reality. Whether you agree with the author’s perspective or not, the book offers an opportunity for thoughtful discussion about conflict, human rights, media narratives, and the human experiences behind political events. 📅 Date: Saturday, 4 July ⏰ Time: 11:30 📍 Venue: Carpe Diem, Avenue de Tervuren 13, 1040 Brussels Expect an open, respectful, and engaging discussion in a relaxed setting, with good coffee and good company. As always, you’re welcome whether you’ve finished the book, started reading it, or simply 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

Hallo Freunde der deutschen Sprache, wir laden alle, die gern ihr Deutsch üben wollen, zum nächsten Treffen ein! Bei schönen Wetter sitzen wir vielleicht sogar im Garten des James Joyce. Falls Ihr angemeldet seid, aber nicht kommen könnt, wären wir dankbar für Eure Abmeldung. Wir freuen uns auf den Austausch mit Euch!

We will be walking through the forest for a little over 1 1/2 hours, silently, just noticing the world around us and inside us. The idea is to experience the magic of a different type of walking, The invitation is to slow down and notice what is going on inside you and around you. Very often people experience a closer connection with nature and with self, with sometimes surprising insights. *Please make sure you are fit enough to go the 4.5 km distance. We will be walking slowly, but we will not take any breaks.* We will be meeting at the Hermann Debroux Metro at **14h**. (Exit straight ahead after leaving the platform--on the Loxam side). If you RSVP as coming, please be on time. We will be starting our walk from there 5 min. after the hour sharp. There is the renovated Maison de Prieur at the exit of the forest where we could gather for a drink or a meal after our walk, depending on what you feel like. Looking forward to an inward adventure? Come and join us on **Saturday, July 4, at 14h** My phone number is 0472 92 11 76, in case you need to communicate with me.

Making the new Friends after work or in your vacation.

Dear Folks!! Let’s swap our old books and connect with new friends. Contribution to Our Events Starting this year, we kindly ask participants to contribute in one of the following ways: €5 per event, or €40 annual membership fee If you feel like supporting us beyond this, to help people who can’t afford it, you are very welcome to do so 💛 If the contribution is a concern for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly 😉 These contributions will help us: Cover the annual Meetup platform fee Encourage everyone to respect RSVPs We will donate 10% collected fees to support Queer oriented organisations in the end of the year. Bank details: Yifei Yang BE79 6509 1524 4133 Communication: your name+ event/membership To make sure your spot is reserved, please complete your registration once you sign up. We will prioritize those who have completed the registration process. Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation. Cheers! 🥂 Brussels Sprouts 🇧🇪🥬💚 Cheers YF

Come join us to discuss our July pick "Tusk Love" by Thea Guanzon! Book description: A merchant’s daughter who yearns for adventure gets more than she bargained for when she falls for a broodingly handsome stranger in this saucy romantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Hurricane Wars. “A true delight of a book! Spicy and heartfelt—this one is a winner all around.”—Katee Robert, author of Neon Gods As the daughter of an ambitious merchant, Guinevere’s path has been predetermined: marry into a noble house of the Dwendalian Empire, raise her family’s station, and live quietly as a lordling’s obedient wife. But Guinevere longs for a life unbounded by expectations, for freedom and passion and adventure. Those distant dreams become a sudden reality when her caravan is beset by bandits, leaving her guards slain and Guinevere stranded alone on the dangerous Amber Road. Her only chance of survival is to travel alongside Oskar, the aloof half-orc who saved her during the attack. Unlike Guinevere, Oskar’s path is not so set in stone. With his mother dead and his apprenticeship abandoned, all that’s left is a long, lonely walk to a land he’s never seen to find family he’s never met. The last thing he needs is a spoiled waif like Guinevere slowing him down—even if the spark between them sizzles with promise. Despite his cold exterior, Oskar is brave and thoughtful and unlike anyone Guinevere has ever met. And while Guinevere may be sheltered, she brings out a softness in him that he has never dared to feel before. As the flames of their passion grow, they realize that soon they’ll need to choose between their expected destinations or their blossoming romance. Written by New York Times bestselling author Thea Guanzon at the behest of Critical Role’s Jester Lavorre, Tusk Love brings the most romantic story on Exandrian bookshelves to life.

**Our July novel is: *Listen for the Lie* by Amy Tintera** **This month’s novel was named one of the best books of 2024. It’s a domestic thriller with crime, mystery, and murder, told from women’s perspectives. The story includes a detective, an unreliable narrator, and plenty of suspense. The book is 352 pages in print and 9 hours and 18 minutes on audiobook.** What if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thought so too? And what if the truth doesn't matter? After Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood, everyone thinks she is a murderer. Lucy and Savvy were the golden girls of their small Texas town: pretty, smart, and enviable. Lucy married a dream guy with a big ring and an even bigger new home. Savvy was the social butterfly loved by all, and if you believe the rumors, especially popular with the men in town. It’s been years since that horrible night, a night Lucy can’t remember anything about, and she has since moved to LA and started a new life. But now the phenomenally huge hit true crime podcast "Listen for the Lie," and its too-good looking host Ben Owens, have decided to investigate Savvy’s murder for the show’s second season. Lucy is forced to return to the place she vowed never to set foot in again to solve her friend’s murder, even if she is the one that did it. The truth is out there, if we just listen.

This month we’ll be reading Masters of Death by Olivie Blake. Feel free to attend even if you don’t finish the book!

Let’s meet and discuss John Updike's Rabbit, Run, the first in his series of four novels following the life, hopes, and disappointments of former local basketball star, Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom, as he fitfully confronts and evades adulthood.

You might check out the [Columbus Book Festival](https://www.columbusbookfestival.org/) the weekend prior! Celebrating Pride Month and Juneteenth [Columbus library link to book](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3366564) We're going some place new! (to us) Location: [Tupelo Honey](https://tupelohoneycafe.com/) 1678 W. Lane Ave., · Columbus, US [Menu](https://tupelohoneycafe.com/columbus/menu/) Book summary: A singular and stunning debut novel about the forbidden union between two enslaved young men on a Deep South plantation, the refuge they find in each other, and a betrayal that threatens their existence