Wednesday, 10th March, from 7 pm*
Book discussion on
Miss Chopsticks is a delightful novel about Chinese history and culture written by Xinran (pronounced Schingren). The Li sisters don't have much education, but one thing has been drummed into them: their mother is a failure because she hasn't managed to produce a son, and they themselves only merit a number as a name. Yet when circumstances lead the sisters to seek work in distant Nanjing, the shocking new urban environment opens their eyes.
Xiaomo Wu (pronounced Schaumoi Woo), a Chinese member of our Book Discussion Group, will be leading the discussion.
*We recommend that you read the book in advance of the discussion group.
Two worlds and two different lives divided by hate and violence thrown together by chance.
*For teenagers only. We recommend that you read the book in advance of the discussion group.
This is a fictionalzed story of two well-born, educated, affluent but very eccentric New York brothers whose bodies were discovered in 1947 amid more than a hundred tons of trash in their family brownstone. Doctorow matches the accumulation of junk within the brothers' home with the accumulation of epochal events that took place in the world outside their walls.
The discussion will be led by Mary Hogan.
Whn Alexia Tarbotti, a soulless spinster with the ability to negate supernatural power, accidently kills a vampire, her life goes from bad to worse when the appalling Lord Maccon, a gorgeous werewolf, is sent by Queen Vistoria to investigate.
*For teenagers only. We recommend that you read the book in advance of the discussion group.
If you came to live here because you accompanied your spouse on an international assignment, you will want to mark this event with five stars on your calendar. Do you need help to structure and organize your life abroad? Are you looking for a new professional challenge?
Jeanne A. Heinzer, the author of Living Your Best Life Abroad - resources, tips & tools for women accompanying their partners on an international move will be our special guest at this Talk Party. Come and enjoy meeting this global life(style) and career coach for women and men on the move.
Free entrance. RSVP info@bergli.ch.
How to find the perfect job, the perfect man - and the perfect chocolate cake.
*For teenagers only. We recommend that you read the book in advance of the discussion group.
Our special guest at this Talk Party is a dealer of antique books, documents and autographs that are sold at auctions. Alain Moirandat deals with these exquisite objects at his office in Basel and holds auctions for their sale. His Beethoven's last will recently broke a world record in selling for CHF 500,000 - yes, that's not a typo, it sold for one-half million Swiss francs at an auction held across the square in the beautiful guild hall on Rümelinsplatz. If history, old books and rare documents fascinate you, join us to learn how he finds and determines the authencity of his objects and hear some exciting stories about some objects he buys and sells and about his highly respected business.
Free entrance, RSVP info@bergli.ch.
London artist Denisa Nenova will demonstrate different types of drawing and ways to awaken children's creative talens by using interactive exercises, drawing games, music, rhythm, silence and body movements. Children will experience the act of drawing as never before. Bring along a sketch pad, pencils will be provided. Limited number of tickets available, reserve yours soon. Cost: CHF 7.00 per child. RSVP info@bergli.ch.
Last year Denica Nenova, our guest artist from London, painted our bookshop windows and what she depicted outside during the ART Basel. Her drawing was so appealing that we could not bring ourselves to remove it for a long time. Again, during the ART BASEL, she is returning to the Bergli Bookshop to draw the scene and people at Rümelinsplatz.
Our special guest, Denisa Nenova, will talk about what it means to become an artist and to explore the different art media. Paul Cezanne once claimed "The day is coming when a single carrot, freshly observed, will set off a revolution." This day is coming toBergli. We will explore with this accomplished artist how art can alter our consciousness in powerful ways. It will put you in the best frame of mind to enjoy the ART BASEL.
Limited number of tickets for CHF 10.00. RSVP to info@bergli.ch.
Last year Denica Nenova painted our bookshop windows and what she depicted outside on Rümelinsplatz during the ART Basel. Her drawing was so appealing that we could not bring ourselves to remove it for a long time. Again, during the ART BASEL, she is returning to the Bergli Bookshop to draw the scene and people at Rümelinsplatz.
Usually we have Talk Parties at the Bergli Bookshop but in July Bergli is organizing a WALK Party with Peter Habicht guiding us to historically interesting spots in Basel. This time we will learn all about the St. Alban area and how important it was back then that you were on the right side of that gate at sundown.
This event will be of interest to newcomers to Basel as well as long-time residents.
Peter Habicht is a historian and Basel tour guide and the author of several successful books (Basel - a Center at the Fringe and Lifting the Mask - your guide to Basel Fasnacht). That's all well and good, but quite frankly, what we all like most about him is that he has a delightful sense of humour and a skillful way of telling fascinating facts about this city we live in.
Tickets are available immediately at Bergli Bookshop, CHF 10.00 each. RSVP to info@bergli.ch. There will be a maximum of 40 tickets so get yours soon. (If we receive more than 40 reservations we will consider repeating the Walk Party on Wednesday, 21st July. This would be announced here.)
Diccon Bewes' eagerly awaited new book about the Swiss is being launched in England this summer and we look forward to celebrating it with him at this Talk Party.
Swiss Watching is a light-hearted yet revealing journey around Switzerland. From seeking Heidi and finding the best chocolate to reliving a bloody past and exploring an uncertain future, Swiss Watching proves that there's more to Switzerland than most newcomers realize.
Diccon Bewes worked for many years as a travel writer for Lonely Planet and Holiday Which? Magazine in the UK before coming a few years ago to live in Berne where he is manager of the Stauffacher English Bookshop - another reason why the Bergli team is looking forward to welcoming him to Basel.
Free entrance, RSVP info@bergli.ch
What is a Talk Party?
Usually we have invited a special guest to discuss a particular topic. People attending are invited to join in the discussion if they like. It's a great opportunity to meet new, interesting people from the international and Swiss community and have a drink together. Depending on the guest there may be a CHF 10.00 entrance charge however most of the Talk Parties are free. Usually about 30 to 50 people attend so if you want to be sure there is room for you, get your ticket early or let us know at info@bergli.ch that you are planning to attend.
What is a Book Discussion?
These are informal exchanges between participants about their opinions, experiences, rewards or disappointments when reading the selected book. Usually people in the book discussion group decide together what work of contemporary fiction or non-fiction will be read in the next few months and who will lead the discussion. People attending often say that they discovered books (and viewpoints) they would never have come to otherwise and that often the discussions are even more enjoyable than the book. Usually about 10 to 25 people attend. There is no charge, no membership. We recommend that you have read the book before attending. The book focused on is always announced well in advance.