Novel Reading

Easter Monday still free? Come join us for a walk between two of Utrecht's most beautiful castles! 🏰 We start from the bus stop Haarzuilens, Kasteel de Haar and make our way through nature to Slot Zuylen, two stunning spots that are worth a visit any time of year. The walk is around 2,5-3 hours and there will be plenty of time to explore both castles and take a break in between. A nice way to spend a hopefully sunny day, get some fresh air, and meet some new people along the way.

If you are living in The Netherlands, by now, you may well have noticed the amount of open water. If you enjoy cycling in the city, you may wish to feel safer as you navigate the bridges and canals. And you may also want to get ready for visiting the beach, pools or the many lakes this summer. Learning how to swim takes approx 1 year and it all starts with the very first lesson. New comers enroll via our website and pay € 30,50, this is the first lesson and a goody bag. After the class you agree with the personal swim coach how to continue to obtain your final objectives. Enrolling is only possible via [www.your-personal-swim-coach.nl ](https://www.your-personal-swim-coach.nl/)hence a rvsp via meetup is not enough.

A great ride along the Vecht and Gein rivers. You will love this route. Please ride single file along the winding river as there can be cars around each corner. **Route:** https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/441606271 GPX: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17-T_pT_GH3QKSFcH1WWgfArvxSdAkVzO/view?usp=sharing **Afterwards:** Drinks at Polder https://maps.app.goo.gl/tbt5DDG7YLU3uWvaA **Rules:** \- Download the route to your cycling computer so you can always find your way home \- Make sure to arrive on time \- Before you ride\, decide as a group how you want to ride: you can split up in a fast and a slow group or stay together\, but make sure to discuss what pace you are going to ride and whether you are going to wait if someone is slower than the group\, or not\.

Samen sporten, gewoon voor de fun, elke week een divers programma, met allerlei verschillende sporten. Je hoeft niet de beste te zijn, maar wel zin hebben om samen te spelen en te leren. Tijdens een training doen we verschillende spelletjes, basketbal, voetbal. volleybal, spikebal, honkbal. Kom je ook, de bal ligt bij jou!! Eerste keer meedoen is altijd gratis, daarna kan je beslissen of dit voor jou is, of niet!! Dus kom een keer proberen. Kan je niet op deze dag, we sporten ook op andere dagen nl Zondag om 9:30 of Maandag om 20:30 Stuur mij een berichtje als je op die dagen een keer wil proberen! The amount of people rsvp'd to this game doesn't match the real number of people at the event, as Meetup is only used for promotion purposes.

New Year, New Sport! 🏐 ​Whether you've never played volleyball before or it’s been many years since you last hit the court, you are very welcome to join our Beginner Group! ​We train every Monday at 9 PM at Gymnasium Bibian Mentel in Zeeburgereiland. ​Come learn the basics, get moving, and meet new people in a fun, relaxed environment. ​Get more info here: ​WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EnPEK1bHLiTGdpqz6Vtbm4 ​Instagram: @brazucavolley

We’ll go for a relaxed 45-minute walk through Amstelpark, following the designated paths. With spring in full bloom, the park is looking especially beautiful—perfect for a refreshing stroll and good company. 🌸 🌷 🌹 🪻 🌿 After the walk, we can grab a drink at the mini golf & pancake restaurant, which is also the meeting point🥞🍹 Please bring comfortable shoes and only sign up if you are really joining. Looking forward to seeing you there!

In this session, we will analyse the Introduction (to the second edition) of Kant's Critique of Pure Reason. ### Book [Kant, Critique of Pure Reason](https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/u.osu.edu/dist/5/25851/files/2017/09/kant-first-critique-cambridge-1m89prv.pdf) Translated by Paul Guyer & Allen W. Wood (Cambridge University Press, 1998; revised edition 2000) #### Section - Introduction (to the second edition): pages 136-152 If you want to order a drink beforehand, please arrive 10 minutes early. See you!

'KAFKA ON THE SHORE' by Haruki Murakami 'The aging Nakata, tracker of lost cats, who never recovered from a bizarre childhood affliction, finds his pleasantly simplified life suddenly turned upside down. There is a savage killing, but the identity of both victim and killer is a riddle. Kafka on the Shore follows the fortunes of two remarkable characters. Kafka Tamura runs away from home at fifteen, under the shadow of his father's dark prophesy. The aging Nakata, tracker of lost cats, who never recovered from a bizarre childhood affliction, finds his pleasantly simplified life suddenly turned upside down. Their parallel odysseys are enriched throughout by vivid accomplices and mesmerising dramas. Cats converse with people; fish tumble from the sky; a ghostlike pimp deploys a Hegel-spouting girl of the night; a forest harbours soldiers apparently un-aged since WWII. There is a savage killing, but the identity of both victim and killer is a riddle. Murakami's new novel is at once a classic tale of quest, but it is also a bold exploration of mythic and contemporary taboos, of patricide, of mother-love, of sister-love. Above all it is an entertainment of a very high order.' ***Please read the book and join us for a lively discussion (in English) about the contents during our afternoon book club meeting.*** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **PLEASE NOTE:** This is an IN-PERSON event in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Please cancel your attendance in advance if you are unable to join, so that those on the waitlist can participate. Looking forward to seeing you all IN REAL LIFE then! Best regards, Sandra

Get your ticket for only 7,50! Click the link below to secure your spot via Eventbrite: [http://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981929859562/?discount=INT26](http://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981929859562/?discount=INT26 "http://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981929859562/?discount=INT26") **The main programme will take place from 20.00 - 21.30 in the Muzenzaal. It will be in English entirely and feature 6 speakers:** **Read hear for more information:** A.I. seems to be developing both at lightspeed and on a global scale - revolutionary breakthroughs make news headlines almost every day. Generative AI applications like Chat GPT and Midjourney have made the technology accessible for a worldwide audience. But even though these applications seem impressive, they are just the tip of the AI-iceberg. INNOVATE was wondering, how are the AI innovators in the Lifeport Arnhem-Nijmegen region doing? And what are they up to? Well, we did the research and it turns out our region holds some absolutely amazing innovations and stories we can't wait to share with you! So: bring your friends, colleagues, or fellow students and join us for this INNOVATE AI MEETUP - XL Edition and get inspired by the latest breakthrough innovations in AI. Learn how AI innovations from our region add to the development of A.I. as a technology, globally. Let entrepreneurs, designers and innovators in health + high tech + energy + creative demonstrate how they use AI to make impact on scale. **Speakers:** **1.Where is AI in it's development right now, and where is it going from here?** Prof. dr. **Pim Haselager** (Radboud University / Principal Investigator - Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour) mentioned during his previous presentation at INNOVATE a few years ago: ''Humanity and AI are somewhat like a child playing with a chainsaw'' ... How are we handling that right now, and where should we be going from here? **2.Can AI help save hundreds of lives per day?** Every day, around 700 women die from preventable pregnancy-related complications, most of them in low- and middle-income countries where access to ultrasound and trained sonographers is limited. To address these barriers to antenatal screening, **Delft Imaging**, in collaboration with **Radboudumc**, initiated the development of **BabyChecker**, an AI-enabled system that supports novice users in acquiring standardized ultrasound sweeps with a low-cost device and automatically identifying high-risk pregnancies. **Sofia Sappia** is researcher in AI for Medical Imaging at Radboudumc and one of the driving forces behind the Babychecker technology, she will tell us everything about her life saving application of AI. **3.Could an AI-powered app provide a new way to look at businesses?** Arnhem-based creative multi talent Sil van der Woerd (co-founder & creative director, [Studio Birthplace](https://www.studiobirthplace.com/ "https://www.studiobirthplace.com/")) pleads for *a revolution of kindness* with his work. His activistic short films and commercials for organisations like Woolmark and Greenpeace have reached audiences all over the world. Right now he is working on an AI powered app, *Reveal*, that could be a game changer in how we look at businesses worldwide. **4.How can AI turn a congested power grid into a flexible energy system?** Luc Nies (Principal Researcher Artificial Intelligence at Alliander) works at the forefront of the energy transition, where digitalisation is key to keeping the lights on. With the Dutch electricity grid under extreme pressure—long waiting times for new connections, growing risks of overload and blackouts—he explores how AI can help transform our 'old school powergrid' into a 'flexible energy system'. From smart forecasting and energy management systems to new tariff models, Luc shows how hospitals, schools and businesses can remain resilient in an increasingly electrified world. **5.How can AI radically accelerate software development?** Stefan Jansen (Lead, AI Experience Room at Avisi) shows how AI is transforming the way software is built. Where developing a software product once took a year, teams can now go from idea to market in a matter of weeks—or even days. Drawing on real-world projects, Stefan explores how AI-powered tooling reshapes the entire software lifecycle: from requirements and development to testing, deployment and cloud hosting. The result: faster innovation, shorter time-to-market, and a new reality where software teams must rethink what’s possible—and how fast they dare to move. **6.When AI leaves the cloud, what happens next?** As a global leader in semiconductors, NXP Semiconductors is enabling the next wave of AI—where intelligence moves from centralized data centers to *the edge*. From smart edge computing to AI running directly on devices, NXP builds the hardware that makes AI faster, safer and more energy-efficient. With change accelerating at unprecedented speed, this session explores the latest breakthroughs in edge AI—and the strategic choices companies must make now, as intelligence becomes embedded everywhere and waiting is no longer an option. **7.How can the Lifeport region help shape the future of AI in the European Union?** Alexandra van Huffelen, Chair of the Executive Board of Radboud Universiteit and Chair of The Economic Board Arnhem Nijmegen – Lifeport, brings together academic leadership, regional strategy and national policy experience. As former State Secretary for Digitalisation, she offers a unique perspective on how AI can drive innovation while safeguarding public values. In her closing remarks, she reflects on the role of AI in strengthening the Arnhem–Nijmegen region as a leading Lifeport ecosystem—and the choices we must make today to shape that future responsibly. The main programme will be moderated by **Eva Eikhout** (BNN/Vara)

Join this INNOVATE A.I. XL Meetup and learn about the latest groundbreaking innovations in A.I. in the Arnhem-Nijmegen region! More information and registration via: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tickets-innovate-ai-meetup-2026-xl-edition-1981929859562?aff=oddtdtcreator

It's time for a new Dutch PowerShell User Group in-person edition. This continues our community events, bringing people together around DevOps, PowerShell scripting, and automation in the Netherlands. Hosted at Rubicon in Leusden, the evening will be a chance not only to learn but also to reconnect with fellow community members. **Speakers** As part of this restart, we have opened a [Call for Papers](https://sessionize.com/dupsug/) to give both new and experienced speakers the opportunity to contribute. The full program will be announced soon. **Agenda** The event will take place on the 8th of April, 2026. All times are listed in CET. * 17:30 – 18:00 Arrival * 18:00 – 18:45 Dinner * 18:45 – 19:00 Welcome from Rubicon / Organizers * 19:00 – 19:45 First Session * 19:45 – 20:15 Break * 20:15 – 21:00 Second Session * 21:00 – 21:30 Networking **Speaker Information** With the restart of DuPSUG, we are opening the stage for both familiar names and new voices. The [CFP](https://sessionize.com/dupsug/) is currently live, and speakers will be announced shortly. **Sessions** As we restart our events, sessions will continue to focus on advanced topics in automation, scripting, and DevOps. ### 1\. Keep secrets away from AI Assistants: Secure Secrets Management with PowerShell \- Jev Suchoi *More often than not, today’s engineering happens inside AI-assisted development environments (IDE's). While this boosts productivity, it also introduces a new risk: secrets leaking into prompts, suggestions, logs, or chat history. This session shows how to set up a local engineering environment using PowerShell so secrets never end up in code, source control, or an IDE’s AI assistant.* *The session starts with pragmatic local engineering patterns: separating configuration from code, structuring local secret files, and using .gitignore correctly to prevent accidental exposure. From there, it moves to a secure-by-default approach using the PowerShell SecretManagement and SecretStore modules. Encrypted vault registration, safe unlocking, and runtime secret consumption are covered without leaking sensitive values into scripts, terminals, AI prompts or sharing them with AI Assistants lurking in your development environment.* *As a demo, secure authentication to Azure and Azure DevOps is demonstrated using PowerShell without exposing credentials to environment variables, clipboard history, or AI tooling. The focus remains on habits and patterns that scale from solo engineers to professional engineering teams.* ### 2\. Modern Powershell module development \- Marko Stanojevic *Demonstrate powershell module template with built in versioning, labeling, CI/CD, devcontainer, VS code settings, built in tasks, Github Copilot and agents instructions, pull request labeling and release notes automatic generation.* *[https://github.com/WarehouseFinds/PSScriptModule](https://github.com/WarehouseFinds/PSScriptModule)* **Location** We are in-person at: Rubicon Leusderend 36 3832 RC Leusden Participation is free, and you are encouraged to attend in person. **Tickets** We kindly ask you to register your attendance through Meetup. Our events are made possible through sponsorship, and accurate attendance numbers help us secure continued support. Please make sure to register if you plan to attend, and update your RSVP if your plans change.

Join us for lunch/tea at Asterisk Supper Club to discuss our May book "Under the Oak Tree" by Suji Kim Lady Maximilian is the daughter of the powerful Duke Croyso, but she is rarely allowed outside her family’s sprawling castle for fear that her stutter will tarnish their noble name. When she is forced to marry Sir Riftan, a lowborn knight caught in one of her father’s schemes, Maxi doesn’t dare hope for happiness, let alone love. Her stumbling communication and his gruff manner sour their relationship before it can begin, and Riftan leaves without a word the morning after their vows are exchanged. Now, three years after their disastrous wedding night, Riftan has returned as a war hero. To Maxi’s surprise, despite rumors that he was offered marriage to Princess Agnes, a beautiful and renowned sorceress, Riftan still wants Maxi for his wife. And when he comes to claim her, his longing becomes a desire that bewilders Maxi, even as she is overcome by the scorching heat that Riftan’s presence ignites within her. As she learns to navigate the intricacies of her new life, Maxi will find herself and her courage, and discover that she is anything but powerless.

**Our April novel is: *The Hong Kong Widow* by Kristen Loesch** **This month’s novel blends gothic atmosphere with historical fiction and chilling horror, set against the haunting backdrop of China. The book is 368 pages in print and 10 hours and 42 minutes on audiobook.** In 1950s Hong Kong, Mei is a young refugee of the Chinese Communist revolution struggling to put her past in Shanghai behind her. When she receives a shocking invitation—to take part in a competition in one of the city's most notorious haunted houses, pitting six spirit mediums against one another in a series of six séances over six nights, until a single winner emerges—she has every reason to refuse. Except that the hostess, a former Shanghainese silent film star, is none other than the wife of the man who once destroyed Mei’s entire life. It is promised the winner will receive a fortune, but there is only one prize Mei wants: revenge. Decades later, the final night of that competition has become an infamous urban legend: The police were called to the scene of a brutal massacre but found no evidence, dismissing it as a collective hallucination. Mei knows what she saw, but now someone else is convinced they know what she did. She must uncover the truth about the last night she ever spent in that house—even if the ghosts of her past are waiting for her there. . . .

Calling all founders, CEOs, lawyers, doctors, and entrepreneurs to join our special *Founder Edition* of Sip & Read meetup event. Let's sip on fine wine and discuss our first book **The 5AM Club- Own Your Morning Elevate Your Life, by Robin Sharma**. We will pair this book with our favorite wine at **Wine on High** and engage in thought-provoking discussions on startup businesses and entrepreneurship, and network with like-minded individuals in a cozy book club setting. Come prepared to discuss this month's book. At the end of each book club meeting, we will take next book and venue suggestions from the participants for the next meeting. Whether you are a book lover, women entrepreneur, or a content creator, this event is perfect for sharing ideas and insights with other funders and founders in the entrepreneurial world. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together. Sign up now to reserve your spot! *Fun fact! This meetup was established in 2015 and had over 1,000 members. I had to shut down operations while attending law school, but we're back!!*

We’ll be having a game night! Bring a game, snack, drink or just yourself!

* Second ever book club! April meet up. All are welcome. * The book will be Play Nice by Rachel Harrison (determined by votes from March Book Club. Let me know if you’d like a free digital copy of the book) * This event will be at the main library, meeting room 1B, the location will not be changed for this event due to the number of people attending, we will just add more chairs if needed! * Feel free to come whether or not you’ve started or finished the book ◡̈ * Small snacks will be provided. You’re welcome to bring your own snacks & drinks too! Starting in June I will try to keep future book clubs at the Dublin Library. Now that I understand their reservation system, I will be on top of it with booking that location as soon as the date is released for the month. Thanks for your understanding with the varying locations in the meantime.

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! 📖

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.