In the near corner, wearing cloth binding in a faux leather cover and sprayed edges, Honolulu’s own page-turning, time-burning, knowledge-earning, questionably discerning SILENT BOOK CLUB!
In the far corner, wearing the noise of daily existence and a sense of impending doom, THE WORLD.
It promises to be a heck of a showdown in front of Whole Foods Market at Kahala Mall, from 6 to 8. Lots of free parking. Many options for food and drink, but no pressure to spend money.
Look for us at the big round table. If you spot two hippos perched atop a book, you’re found your people.
Bring something to read! Bring anything to read!
We’ll say hi, take an optional group photo, and read quietly for an hour. Then stick around and chat, keep reading, or call it a night. Socializing is always optional!
Bring a book for the book exchange table, or just pick a few up for later.
If it rains, we’ll try to get the covered tables under the eave, or perhaps find space inside the mall.
Text Mitchell at 830-255-7423 if you would like a ride home, if you get lost, or whatever!
Two bookish meetups Saturday the 5th! Scroll down to our August 24 post for all the details, including parking, or check out the events at meetup.com/honolulu-silent-book-club.
9:45 to 10:45 Friends’ Books & Music hosted by Mitchell
Check out the lovely new space at 610 Ward Avenue (corner of Ward and Waimanu, behind the Kapiolani Ave Jack in the Box).
Your purchases and donations help 51 public libraries AND THEIR COMMUNITIES across the Aloha State!
11 to 1 Aloha Bakehouse & Cafe Hosted by Nikki
A total vibe of a cafe with lots of reading space. Order downstairs; read upstairs.
Thursday, September 3 5:00 to 6:45 The Hawaii State Library Language, Literature, and History section
Come read with us!
Enter the building, go to the left wing and head straight back. You’ll find Emily and your book-loving friends.
We’ll do some quick voluntary photos to show off what everyone is reading, we’ll chat a while, and then we’ll read quietly for a blissful hour.
The library closes at 7, so come a little early if you’d like to browse and borrow.
Parking: Metered street parking is all around the library. Street parking’s free at 6:00.
The Iolani Palace lot is super close and secure. It also becomes free at 6:00, when they shut the gate. If you need to bail before 7:00, just flag down a security guard and they’ll let you out.
Your assigned reading is—just kidding! There’s no assigned reading! Read anything you want!
Kawaikui Beach Park, on the far edge of Āina Haina going east, just before Niu Valley.
Shady trees, public restrooms, and free parking!
If the main lot is full, give it a few minutes to see if a spot opens up. Otherwise, the closest neighborhood parking is on Kirkwood, which is a lovely 7-to-10-minute stroll (yes, I said stroll) to the park.
Gina is hosting! Look for her in a shady spot on the Waimanalo side of the park (that’s the left side as you’re facing the ocean).
Bring your current read. Physical books, e-readers, audiobooks, manga, textbooks—all formats and genres are welcome!
Get comfy. A beach chair or towel, sunscreen, and your favorite snacks or drinks.
We’ll chat for a bit, snap a quick (and completely voluntary!) group photo, and then dive into one full hour of quiet reading. We’ll wrap up with optional socializing.
See you by the water! Don’t forget to add your name to our email list if you haven’t already!
Back-to-back meetups! Friends’ Books & Music plus Aloha Bakehouse and Café!
The old Village Books & Music at Ward Centre is the new Friends’ Books & Music on Ward, and we are checking it out together! Mitchell is hosting.
Staffed by volunteers with Friends of the Library of Hawaii, the new store opened in mid-July and features thousands of (mostly pre-loved) books, CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, games, works of art, comic books, and even 8-track tapes (ask your parents) to raise funds for Hawaii’s 51 public libraries.
You don’t want to let 51 public libraries down, do you?
Our hosts will give us a quick tour of the new space and tell us about Friends of the Library of Hawaii.
The bookstore is on the ground floor of the building once known as the Galliher Building, right behind the Jack-in-the-Box on the corner of Ward and Kapiolani. A mural depicting a certain former U.S. President from Hawaii is painted on its side.
📚📖🧁🌯☕️
A hidden gem in Kakaako, Aloha Bakehouse & Cafe is a total vibe with excellent drinks and food, and an airy upstairs seating area with big tables and wifi.
It’s a great spot for reading and caffeinating!
We’ll spend the first half hour or so getting our orders in, chatting, and showing off our purchases from the Friends’ Books & Music field trip immediately before. Then we’ll settle in for a solid hour (or more!) of silent reading. Nikki is hosting.
Assigned reading? Ha! We laugh at assigned reading! Read whatever you want!
After the reading, you can stick around and keep reading, chat some more, or head home with your stash.
A heads-up: The upstairs seating area is not wheelchair accessible, and I don’t think the restroom is either. If you have questions or would like to talk about accommodations, please message us.
A second heads-up: It can get a little warm upstairs, so dress comfortably.
For the bookstore, there’s a small parking lot (enter from Waimanu St. please), but you can also find street parking nearby, or park at Ward Villages and walk a couple of blocks.
These other options might be a good idea if you’re attending our reading sesh right after at Aloha Bakehouse and Cafe. Then you can just leave your car wherever you parked it, and walk to the cafe, which is half a block down Waimanu Street from the bookstore.
Parking for the cafe is on the streets nearby, but if you’re going to the bookshop with us, you’re allowed to park in Ward Villages.
For a slightly shorter walk, you can probably get away with parking in the Whole Foods garage. Don’t park in the parking lot right next to the cafe!
Message Mitchell at 830-255-7423 if you get lost or need help!
Our monthly drop-in for drinks, pasta, books, and easygoing company is back.
Unlike our standard quiet-reading sessions, this one has no agenda. Show up whenever, grab a mocktail or a cocktail, dig into some food, and read at your own speed. Want to chat about what you’re currently reading instead? That works too.
Book exchange table: Bring a title or two you’re ready to pass along, or grab something new off the stack.
Wednesday, August 26 | 6:00 until whenever.
Proof Social Club (Fort Street Mall at Chaplain Lane) 🏢
Come hang out and unwind. 🖤
Need directions or a walking buddy to or from your car or bus stop? Text Mitchell at 830-255-7423 and we’ll work it out! 🚙
Gina is feeling unwell, so we have to move this to sometime in September.
Please renew your library loans and hang on to your notations and annotations! We look forward to having this conversation when Gina’s feeling well and we can book the room again.
If this means you may be able to join us (more reading time, a better date, or whatever), join Gina’s email list at the link.
