Book and Pie is a simple, warm meet-up that links what we already like doing with a useful action. Instead of letting books sleep on a shelf, we put them back into circulation. Instead of making solidarity feel heavy, we make it natural, friendly, and accessible.

The event works indoors and outdoors alike. Some evenings we gather in a café, a rooftop, a community space, or a cultural venue. In summer, Book and Pie can move outside, to a park or a lawn, or as part of an open-air meet-up. Whatever the setting, the spirit stays the same: a calm, open, pleasant moment.

The principle is intentionally simple. You come with one or several books in good condition that you no longer read—novels, essays, children’s books, manuals, anything that can still be useful. On site, a collection corner is ready, discreet but visible, with boxes and small signs. You drop off your books, then enjoy the evening however you like.

Then comes the pleasure. A hot or cold drink, a slice of pie, a brownie, a cake of the day, sometimes even a homemade recipe inspired by childhood memories. Book and Pie is not a fixed event, it adapts to the places that host it and to the people who take part. The goal is to create an atmosphere where people feel good without pressure.

Everyone lives the evening in their own way. Some come to read quietly, others to chat and meet people, others alternate between a few pages and a conversation. This mix is exactly what makes Book and Pie enjoyable: we can be together without doing the same thing, and we can chat without feeling obliged.

Behind this simplicity lies real impact. The books collected during Book and Pie support BookEducation, the Betfrika initiative that puts books and educational resources back into circulation where they are lacking. As Nikoué’s story shows, a donated book becomes a tool for work, an open door, sometimes even a spark. What you pass on does not disappear; it keeps traveling.

When Book and Pie happens outdoors, the vibe becomes livelier but the idea stays the same, like during our Flowmarkt meet-ups in Berlin. A small stand, decorated crates, a few pastries to share, volunteers ready to explain the project, and visitors who stop by to drop off a book, chat for two minutes, then head on. Even a quick stop can make a difference.

Book and Pie does not try to impress; it aims to last. These are regular evenings, easy to join, easy to understand, and easy to recommend. You come once, then you come back, or you tell a friend, or you finally empty that box of books that has been waiting for months.

If the idea speaks to you, keep a book aside now. The day a Book and Pie evening arrives near you, you will know what to do: slip that book into your bag, choose a table, grab a slice of pie, and turn a relaxing moment into a gesture of solidarity.

The first dates and partner venues will be announced very soon. Stay tuned, and get ready to join Book and Pie—a meet-up that does good for you and for others.