When we announced this a week ago, we didn’t have a time and place for our book discussion, but we do now.

August 23, Sunday, 4:30 to 6.
Aina Haina Public Library
In the meeting room.

We love our regular silent read-ups, but sometimes we go off-script for a field trip.

Gina is hosting a discussion about Daniel Immerwahr’s How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States (2019). If you want to jump into an engaging conversation about some of the lesser-discussed corners of history, this one is for you 🟥.

To help you track down a copy before the discussion, here is the current local recon on availability:

Hawaii State Library System: Ten physical copies exist, and the hold queue is 11 long. There are 36 of 40 audiobooks available. Only 2 ebooks, with 13 holds per copy. 🗄️

University of Hawaii System: If you have UH borrowing privileges, you are in luck. Three physical copies and one electronic copy are sitting there waiting for you right now 🏢.

Add your name to the update list here or at the QR in the graphic. 🚡

We’re coming to Kaneohe!

Join us for bookish, quiet companionship at the Kāneʻohe Public Library with our host, Gail the librarian!

Monday, July 13

5:00 to 5:15: 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: One solid, uninterrupted hour of beautiful, silent reading.

6:15 – 6:45: Share what you’re reading, trade recommendations, browse the stacks, and talk story.

The library closes at 7, so come a little early if you crave extra book time or just want to explore this long-awaited, newly renovated space.

The library’s official address is on Kamehameha Highway, don’t try to turn in from Kamehameha Hwy. Enter from Waikalua Road, drive past the police station, and you’ll see the library’s parking lot right behind the library. 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 on the library shelves.

Can’t wait to see you all on the Windward side!

📚✨ Save the Date — and save your seat! ✨📚

Silent Book Club Honolulu is heading back to the hidden speakeasy at Vintage Books on Sunday, August 2, from 4 to 6 with Nikki (@lifewithnikki24) as your host! 🍸📖

Join us for an afternoon of quiet reading, great company, and a cozy atmosphere! Whether you’re halfway through your current read or looking for an excuse to start a new one, we’d love to have you there!

We had soooo many people at our last gathering here, we have to put a cap on attendance for this one.

⚠️ RSVP by July 28 to ensure we can reserve a seat for you.

📍 RSVP on Meetup!

The event description on Meetup includes info on payment, parking, and of course the fabulous menu!

Tacos, shade trees, and zero-pressure reading. 🚡🟨

We are heading to Fort Ruger Park (Triangle Park) Saturday, July 11, from 11 to 1.

Baron is hosting this afternoon of dedicated quiet time. Show up with whatever you are currently reading. There are no assigned chapters, no discussion prompts, and no pop quizzes. We just gather and read.

The Dos Jefes taco truck will be parked nearby if you want to grab some yummies, or you can unpack your own snacks. 🕋

Fort Ruger Park, under the shade trees. Look for Baron on a blue blanket near the truck. 🚙

Free street parking along Kahala Ave, Diamond Head Rd, and Paikau St.

Bring a chair, towel, or blanket to sit on, plus your current read and some sunscreen.

The park has no restrooms! Plan for a quick five-minute drive to Kilauea Park or Kapiolani Community College if needed.

Come for the food, stay for the pages, or vice versa. See you Saturday. 🖤

Is it already the second Thursday of the month? YES!

Bring something to read. Kahala Mall, 6 to 8, at the big round table in front of Whole Foods Market. Look for two hippos perched atop a book (Emily Henry’s Book Lovers, appropriately!), and you’ll know you’ve found your people.

We’ll have a book exchange table. Bring a few, take a few. Whatever! We don’t have rules!

Free parking. Lots of food and drink options (I’m a big fan of Aloha Salads, just inside the mall doors), but no pressure to spend any money at all.

We’ll chat, then take a voluntary group photo, then read for an hour. Then call it a night, or stick around and chat, or keep reading.
Books in any format, books of any type, and readers of all kinds are welcome. We just want to read with you!

Text Mitchell at 830-255-7423 if you get lost, if you need a ride home, or if you’d just like a long joke with a terrible punchline!

What a month!

Thank you to our gracious host venues.

Thank you to our hosts.

And thank you to our fantastic bookdragons and nerdgeeks!

So many good vibes.

So many good reads.

So many nice people.

Here’s my list of Reader Stuff for July, plus a few things for August. Let me know if I’ve left anything off.

we’re exploring other possibilities! keep an eye open for updates!

Field trip!

We love our regular silent read-ups, but every so often we deviate from the script for a field trip.

Gina is hosting a meetup this August to talk story about Daniel Immerwahr’s How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States (2019). If you want to jump into an engaging conversation about some of the lesser-discussed corners of history, this one is for you 🟥.

To help you track down a copy before the discussion, here is the current local recon on availability:

Hawaii State Library System: Ten physical copies exist, and two are sitting on shelves available now. The digital options require some patience, as the audiobooks have 15 holds per copy and the ebooks have 11 holds per copy. 🗄️

University of Hawaii System: If you have UH borrowing privileges, you are in luck. Two physical copies and one electronic copy are sitting there waiting for you right now 🏢.

We are still pinning down the exact date and location for August. Head to the link in our bio to sign up for updates so you get the final details as soon as they drop: bit.ly/Empire-Aug2026 🚡

Two first-time thingies this weekend.

Saturday. The Hawaii State Library is celebrating the 250th birthday of our nation from 9 to 1 with games, live music, and a scavenger hunt.

From 11 to 1, Mitchell will be showing Revolutionary Youth, a set of clips from Ken Burns’s excellent documentary, The American Revolution. A short discussion of the video will follow.

Then, the bookish part. We’ll discuss any books you’ve read about the American Revolution. It will be a great chance to compare our own understanding with Ken Burns’s vision, and to pick up recommendations for new reads!

Sunday. We are very excited to have a Silent Book Club meetup at Vintage Books, a great speakeasy in Kaimuki, in the old 3660 on the Rise space.

We’ll start at 4 with (optional!) socializing and some (also optional!) photos. Then we’ll settle in with our drinks and bites, enjoying an hour or so of quiet reading.

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.

“Proudly cashless.” Major credit/debit cards and contactless payments accepted.

Don’t forget to bring something to read!

Parking info in the second slide.