Honolulu Silent Book Club

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!

6 to 8 p.m. 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 me.

This will be our regular spot and our regular time, second Thursday of the month, until we decide on something else.

Say hi (or not) at 6.
Get something to eat or drink (or not).

Start reading at 6:30.

Keep reading at 7:30, or call it a night, or stick around and chat!

We will have a book exchange table. Drop a couple, take a couple or whatever. There are no rules. I'd rather you take unclaimed books back, but if you don't, I'll be happy to drop them off at the Little Free Library at Makiki District Park.

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.

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: 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: The main event. 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 7:00, 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—whether it’s a thick historical biography, a quick graphic novel, a bestselling audiobook, or an old favorite—or show up early and discover something brand new right off the library shelves.

Ambient noise: It's a library, and libraries are exciting places. If you're sensitive to the sounds of joyful young readers, please bring some noise-canceling ear thingies so you can tune them out.

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