Book club: a space for inspiration at the KINK coffee shop
People come here for a cup of their favorite coffee and conversations about the extraordinary world of books. Every Sunday, the Uzhhorod coffee shop “KINK” hosts book club in a cozy and relaxed atmosphere with the aroma of coffee.
The organizer of the book club, Karina Uhryn, notes that this is truly a place where not only readers meet, but also those who are looking for a lively dialogue and new acquaintances. The atmosphere and feeling of home comfort are created by soft light, blankets, a specially selected playlist for reading and the smell of freshly roasted coffee.
It is this combination that makes the club so attractive to people of all ages and tastes, says Karina. As a true book guru, she decided to gather like-minded people around her to unite people who love books and sincere conversations.
Actually, that’s how the idea of a book club in a cafe came about.
“I wanted to have a place where you can share your impressions, discover new stories, and simply enjoy your favorite books with other people. We don’t limit ourselves to a certain genre — we read what resonates. The very essence of my club is that everyone reads their own book, shares their impressions, and discovers something new for others. Often, it’s modern prose, books with deep meaning, or those that evoke strong emotions. The most pleasant thing to hear is when, after the meetings, participants say that thanks to the discussion. They discovered a book in a completely new way. It always reminds us why we gathered — to look at the world through different prisms. It’s also valuable to know that people are waiting for the club and asking when the next one will be. In the future, we plan to have themed evenings, but I won’t tell all the secrets. I want the club to develop, but at the same time remain a place of inspiration and comfort for each of the participants. The comfort in a book club is created by people. Their sincerity, openness and willingness to listen to each other is what makes the atmosphere truly warm and pleasant.”
There are no restrictions in the book club — everyone reads whatever they want. And this allows you to immerse yourself even more in the world of writing. And see the full diversity of genres. First, everyone reads their chosen book, and only then the most interesting part begins.
Communication, discussion of impressions and book discoveries. A lot of regular visitors have already gathered, and the club seeks to expand the circle of like-minded people. Regular visitor of the club Kristina shared her thoughts.
“I was invited to the book club at “KinK” after reading at the “Vivat” bookstore. The institution is very cozy and calm, we gather every week to read and discuss books with delicious coffee and tea. And one of the club members even brings her own pastries — and they are very tasty. You should try these sinabons! Conversations, jokes and treats create an incredibly comfortable atmosphere, where you want to return again and again, every Sunday. It was also nice that at the bookcrossing I found the Ukrainian version of my favorite trilogy by Leigh Bardugo and exchanged it, leaving behind my “Bunny”, “Drowning Research” and another book that I can no longer remember. Usually, such cozy places are scary to share, because you are afraid that they will lose their atmosphere, so I tear it from my heart – come to us! ”
The owner of the cafe Valentina said that she wanted it to be a place not only for coffee.
“Personally, I really like reading books. However, not every bookstore offers you a place to sit with a drink on soft chairs. And the decision to combine these things came naturally. We want our guests to leave here not only cheerful, but also inspired – and literature gives us this effect. The book club has added intellectual depth and warm intimacy to the atmosphere. Visitors are no longer just sitting on their phones; they are engaged, they argue, they think out loud. The book club has turned guests into a community – a team united by a love of stories, delicious coffee and good arguments. And I am very happy about this. In addition, we are constantly replenishing our reading resources. I am extremely pleased to see how many young people are interested in reading – from eternal classics to hot new releases. I believe that every book has value and deserves its chance to be read. That is why our bookshelves are always open to visitors: from Ukrainian classics to world bestsellers. Here you will find humor, romance and even drama! Read what feeds your imagination and inspires you to take bold steps – this is the only way to find out that you do not just exist, but truly live.”
The café has a bookcrossing service. You can bring in a book you’ve read and take another one in return. It’s a kind of small exchange of trust between visitors, notes Ms. Valentina.
“Bookcrossing is almost a spy game for us. Books come, leave an emotional mark on our space, and then quietly travel to new hands. Visitors exchange very actively! They look for books that we talked about at meetings so they can continue reading at home. I really love this tradition, because readers leave books in the café almost every week. Thanks to bookcrossing, our shelves are becoming more diverse. And I am grateful to everyone for their contribution.”
We would like to remind you that book club are held every Sunday. New members are always welcome.
