If you’ve been in book clubs you know how stressful and maddening they can be. People don’t read. Or they don’t read well. Or you hurry to get the reading done and don’t get to enjoy the book. Or someone always picks that super-long book about the economic history of some country you’ve never heard of.
Silent book clubs take this bother away: just show up, say hi (or not!), have a drink (or not!), and read whatever you brought!
We’re indebted to articles we’ve read about the original Silent Book Club, which inspires us and provides the model.
Follow us in any of these places!
I maintain an updated-monthly list of events, groups, and other stuff of interest to readers. Here’s the July list, with some August stuff too. Opens in Google Docs.
Wednesday, October 28, from 6 to whenever at Proof Social Club.
Proof Social Club is a bar in Downtown Honolulu where Chaplain Lane meets Fort Street Mall.
There is usually no program. Just show up, get something to drink, read, and (if you like!) meet other book-lovers. There will be no food service, but you are encouraged to support area businesses and bring something to the bar to munch on!
This month, however, we’re having a costume contest! Wear a book-inspired costume, or dress as whatever. Our friend DJ is emceeing the audience-judged contest, for which there are prizes, including one for best non-book-themed costume. It’s going to be a blast, with judging to begin at 6:30!
We’ll have the book exchange table again, so bring a book or two if you’d like to make room on your bookshelf. The kitty lamps will also be there.
Text Mitchell at 830-255-7423 if you’d like a ride there, a ride home, company walking to or from your car or bus stop, or an arbitrary quote from a good YA novel!
Thursday, November 5, from 5 to 6:50 at Hawaii State Library.
Emily (a librarian!) is our host. Meet in the Language, Literature, and History section — first floor, left wing as you enter, straight back.
Parking. There’s metered parking all around. Street parking is free after 6. The nearest lot is at Iolani Palace (metered, free after 6), which is also secure, because the palace locks the gate at 6. If you wish to leave before the library closes at 7, just let a security guard know and they’ll open the gate for you.
We’ll spend the first half hour chatting and taking voluntary photos. Then we’ll read for an hour, and then call it a night, or chat a little more. The library closes at 7.\
Sunday, November 8, from 4 to 6 at Vintage Books
Vintage Books is a speakeasy in Kaimuki, all antiquarian books in the front and classy bookish cocktails and food in the back.
Deb is your host!
Due to such a great turnout from the last two events, we are requiring RSVPs for this event! Please RSVP through MeetUp!
📖 Bring whatever you’re currently reading
💬 Time to mingle and chat with fellow book lovers before and after reading—or simply enjoy the company without the conversation.
🤫 Dedicated silent reading time in one of Honolulu’s unique and atmospheric book spaces.
🍸 Delicious craft cocktails, spirit-free beverages, and food available for purchase throughout the event.
We’ll gathering in the Vintage Books Lounge and Main Restaurant!
Here is a quick overview of menu prices:
🍹 Craft cocktails ($16-18)
🥂 Spirit-free cocktails ($14-15)
🍺Beer ($9)
🍷Wine glass ($13-16)
🍽️ Cold plates ($14-24)
🔥 Hot plates ($23-42)
🍙 Rice cakes + rice dishes ($4-24)
🥗 Salads ($16-18)
🌮 ʻUlu Taco Flight ($27)
🍰Desserts ($10-14)
In addition, the Lounge offers special half apps/bar bites:
✨ Half Apps ($8–14)
✨ Bar Bites ($6–10)
Curious about the menu? You can browse the full food and beverage offerings on the Vintage Books website before the event.
This event is all about enjoying books at your own pace—no assigned reading, no required discussion, and no pressure. Read quietly, chat with fellow readers, or simply soak in the atmosphere. This is your time to enjoy books however you like.
📍 Vintage Books Lounge, Kaimukī
📅 November 8
⏰ 4:00–6:00 PM
Other info
- Parking: Validated parking inside 3660 Waialae Building. Ask the book clerk to validate.
- Payments: “Proudly cashless.” Major credit/debit cards and contactless payments accepted.
Invite some book-lover friends and join us for an afternoon of books, good company, and a little literary escape! See you there!
Monday, November 9, from 5 to 6:30 at Kaneohe Public Library
Join us for quiet companionship at the Kāneʻohe Public Library with our host, Gail the librarian!
Something like this, but be flexible!
5:00 – 5:15 PM: Arrive, settle in, and chat (if you want to—but no pressure!). We’ll take a group photo of the books!
5:15 – 6:15 PM: The main event. One solid, uninterrupted hour of beautiful, silent reading.
6:15 – 6:45 PM: Share what you’re reading, trade recommendations, browse the stacks, and talk story.
The library closes at 7:00, so definitely feel free to slide in a little early if you crave extra book time or just want to explore this long-awaited, newly renovated space. The new floors are beautiful!
How to Find Us
The library’s official address is on Kamehameha Highway, but navigating there can be a little tricky.
- Don’t try to turn in from Kamehameha Hwy. Instead, enter from Waikalua Road.
- It is going to look like you’re driving into the police station, but don’t panic, unless you’re a fugitive! Just go right past it.
- The parking lot is located directly behind the library, which sits right behind the police station. There’s also parking on the hill. You’ll see what we mean.
- Please drop a note if you have accessibility questions or would like accommodation!
Bring whatever you are currently reading—or show up early and discover something brand new right off the library shelves.
Can’t wait to see you all on the Windward side!
Thursday, November 12, from 6 to 8 at Kahala Mall.
Meet at the enormous round table outside Whole Foods Market, if it’s available. Look for two hippos perched atop a book on the table, and you’ll know you found us. We’ll have the book exchange table again, so bring a book or two if you’d like to make room on your bookshelf.
We’ll follow roughly this schedule:
- 6:00 say hi (or not!), get something to eat or drink (or not!)
- 6:30 optional group photo, read whatever you’ve brought
- 7:30 chat or keep reading
We’re not rigid about time, so these are just approximations. 🙂
It can get a bit noisy, so if you’re sensitive to the sounds of yelling kids, beeping trucks, and loud engines, bring some noise-canceling ear things if you have them. Baron donated a box of foam earplugs, and Mitchell will bring them if he can find them.
RAIN PLAN: We’ll try to get the tables right by the Whole Foods door, beneath the eaves, and take a few tables inside the mall. If you usually come early and the weather is yucko, maybe we can try to claim tables inside early. I haaaaate to forgo the introductions and stuff so somebody think of how we might do it in the mall without drawing mall security’s attention.
Again, if you’d like a ride home, just ask. Please. Text Mitchell at 830-255-7423!
Wednesday, November 26, from 6 to whenever at Proof Social Club
Same details as for October above, but without the costume contest, although if you want to come as a monster, we’ll all appreciate it!