Our 15th Anniversary Celebration July 26, 2018

***UPDATE 9/19/2018***

Book selections for November, January & February

What a wonderful evening!

We opened by welcoming all with this beautiful poem written by Julia Donaldson.

Cortney, McKinley, Jamie, Moana, Joy, Maria, Lauren

Welcome to McKinley and Maria!

Thank you both for sharing a little about books you love.

I think we all received excellent suggestions.

Moana was our winner of the pencil balance/toss/catch game. 11 pencils! Way to go! 😄

Welcome McKinley!

~*~*~*~ bookmarks and pens ~*~*~*~

For the rest of the year:

August ~

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

September ~

Beauty by Robin McKinley

October ~

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

November ~

Tisha The story of a young teacher in the Alaskan Wilderness by Robert Specht

December ~

The Mistletoe Secret by Richard Paul Evans

January~

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

February ~

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans

Thank you for hosting in your festive home Cortney!

In attendance:

Cortney, Jamie, Lille, Lauren, Joy, and welcome Maria Nakata

Our fabulous December book with a sweet Christmas theme was written by Richard Paul Evans. Hallmark Channel has a movie made from this book. However, while the movie was entertaining there were a few deviations from the book that made the movie comparably less fantastic.

Richard Paul Evans has a way of making 300 pages fly by. The Mistletoe Promise has this effect as well. Perfect.

The Land Uncharted by Keely Brooke Keith

The Land Uncharted by Keely Brook Keith

Lydia Colburn is a young physician dedicated to serving her village in the Land, an undetectable island in the South Atlantic Ocean. When Lt. Connor Bradshaw’s parachute carries him from the world war to Lydia's hidden land, his mission could expose her simple society. As Connor searches for a way to return to his squadron, his fascination with life in the Land makes him protective of Lydia and her peaceful homeland, and Lydia’s attraction to Connor stirs desires she never anticipated. But will they be able to keep the Land hidden?(goodreads.com)

In attendance: Joy, Jamie, Cortney, Moana, Amalie and welcome to Lauren Snow!

We got together at Joy's home. This book was available for download online and not at the Hawaii Public Library. Those who chose to read it found it on Amazon or using their Kindle store.

Usually we like to find a book with a reader's guide or discussion questions. There were none available online so this time we tried our best to make our own questions. Here's a sample from our discussion:

• The author suggests that "The Land Uncharted" was an "unusual mix of science fiction, historical fiction, and romance." Do you feel this is a good description? What would you change or add to the description?
• Connor Bradshaw became the first person to arrive to "The Land" since the colonists' arrival. What did he do -or- what actions did he take to become accepted by the Colburn family and the community?
• "The Land Uncharted" is a place where seemingly time has stopped. Modern conveniences haven't been invented. What would it be like to have the knowledge of modern conveniences and no longer have them? Would you try to possibly improve the lives of those around you or make the most of what is offered from the time of mid-1850s America?
• "The Land Uncharted" may have had a satisfying ending for some. There are sequels. Would you read a continuation of this book? What direction would you like the story to take? Who should the next book be about?

Then everyone was asked to rate the book based on a stand alone novel and not part of a series. The ratings were varied. We all thought this was the bones for a really great story.  (***possible spoiler***) And we all wanted more conflict and resolution with the outside world. No closure or resolution came for Connor, (or his bewildered co-pilot) or with all he could be reunited with in the modern age.(***end of spoiler***)

Because of the book's main focus being the ins-and-outs of this new unheard of community, it was aptly titled: The Land Uncharted.
Here's a link to carry forward to book 2: Uncharted Redemption

The book for next month, May 24th Book Club:
Ready Player One by Earnest Cline suggested by Amalei.

In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the  OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. When Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win—and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape(goodreads.com).

 
Our June Book is The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker suggested by Cortney

 A poignant and inspirational love story set in Burma, The Art of Hearing Heartbeats spans the decades between the 1950s and the present.  When a successful New York lawyer suddenly disappears without a trace, neither his wife nor his daughter Julia has any idea where he might be…until they find a love letter he wrote many years ago, to a Burmese woman they have never heard of. Intent on solving the mystery and coming to terms with her father’s past, Julia decides to travel to the village where the woman lived. There she uncovers a tale of unimaginable hardship, resilience, and passion that will reaffirm the reader’s belief in the power of love to move mountains(goodreads.com).

Other books we talked about tonight:
Kat mentioned The Last Girl by Joe Hart  and A Miracle of Hope by Ruth Reid
Moana mentioned Stung by Bethany Wiggins
Joy mentioned Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Lauren mentioned her favorite classic authors are Jane Austin, and the Bronte Sisters. She also recommended The Secret Life of Bees and The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd

Blackmoore by Julianna Donaldson

We really enjoy this author. Julianna Donaldson really knows how to write a proper, clean, fantastic romance. Blackmoore by Julianna Donaldson was genuine entertainment. Our book club group had a great time discussing the story and grateful for the reader's guide at the back off the book.

In attendance, Jamie, Cortney, Joy and welcome to Kat Johnston and Cloe.

March Book Club pick:

 Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde

The Gift by Richard Paul Evans

Cookies, Cookies, Cookies!!

I just love our December Book Club and Cookie Exchange. This year was super yummy. Thank you everyone!

This month our book pick was The Gift by Richard Paul Evans.
In Attendance,

Digna, Peggy, Cortney, Amalie, Virginia, Joy, Jamie, and Krystal

 Welcome to book club Peggy and Digna.

suggestions made for future reading:
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Blackmoore by Julianna Donaldson

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Our September Selection:
 The Maze Runner by James Dashner​
​
"If you ain't scared, you ain't human."

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He's surrounded by strangers--boys whose memories are also gone.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It's the only way out--and no one's ever made it through alive.

Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying​.

Movie Night!!! September 23, 2014 at the Kapolei Theaters' 7:15PM showing. What fun!!

We had great time! Krystal, and her friend Peggy, Kanoe, Jamie, Cortney, and Val.

Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans

It was such a fun Christmas Book Club. We had a really great turnout and lots of cookies for our Christmas Cookie Exchange.

Our book for the month was Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans
This story brought up great opportunity for discussion.

Attendance was really great with three new to the group:
Kainui Nihipali, Alofa Faamausili, and Kamailie Heide (wow, that was a lot of vowels, ha!)
Welcome Welcome!
Also in attendance:
Joy, Cortney, Jamie, Keri, Krystal, Alana, Amalie, Monica and her fun Mother-in-Law Carrie.

In addition to a cookie exchange....
We also collectively congratulate Alana Yates on her upcoming baby due next month.
Our January Book Club pick is Don't Go by Lisa Scottoline:

A suggestion for February: The Rent Collector by Camron Wright

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman 5/29/2013

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
 
This book was fraught with moral dilemmas. We went rounds of  "what would you do?" And in each scenario realized there were good merits in each decision. Which only validates The Light Between Oceans as on of our more fascinating Book Club Picks. Thanks Cortney! And thank you for Hosting our meeting in your home.

In attendance: Cortney, Joy, Ashley, Jamie and welcome to Lathena!

June we will be reading:
The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker

Safe Haven 2/16/2013 *MOVIE*

Our February Book Club was a fun meeting to be sure!

We had a great read this month. 

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks.

On Saturday, February 16, we saw a matinee showing of Safe Haven at Kapolei Consolidated Theaters. After the movie we had dinner at Pho One across the street. Yum!

In attendance:
Cortney Nadig, Krystal Ava, Ashley Mafi, Ann Toilolo, DeAnna Dotson (welcome back!), Virginia Afoa (welcome to book club!!), Pamela Swenson, Jamie Dugay, Kanoe Aken and Joy Paet.

As always we are looking for book suggestions and hope ideas will pour in!

Upcoming
For March:

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson (I LOVED THIS BOOK)


We'll meet at my home March 27, 2013, 7 PM.






~Joy

Lost December 12/12/12

What a fun Christmas inspired Book Club Evening! Everyone enjoyed this month's choice,

Lost December by Richard Paul Evans.

I thought it was a great story in true Richard Paul Evans style. Something we've come to depend on from one of our favorite go-to authors.

As in December's past, we had a cookie exchange that was yummy!
(** totally scrumptious **).
Everyone brought 2 dozen cookies to swap. Cortney brought a variety of delicious treats.

We met at my house and in attendance:
Joy, Moana, Cortney, Ashley, Kanoe, and welcome to Krystal!

Everyone went home with a gift, the book "The Merchant from Bethlehem" by Johan Christian.

Book Brainstorming 11/14/2012

Thanks Cortney for hosting our November Book Club! And a big welcome to Ashley Mafi!
Also in attendance: Jamie, Kanoe, Joy and Moana

We didn't have a book selected for the month. So we had an evening of book brainstorming and tasty treats.
We've missed a few months meeting this year. We've also missed selecting any books for us to read.And so the quote of the night by Kanoe was very fitting:
"Our intentions are perfect"

We had all kinds of books brought up for discussion and most importantly we have a December book club choice: 
Lost December by Richard Paul Evans



A little of the discussion tonight:
Cortney: The Walk series by Richard Paul Evans, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner, Friday Night Knitting Club & Knit Two by Kate Jacobs
Ashley: Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Kanoe and Ashley and Moana: The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling which we loved to read for book club, too.
Ashley mentioned a book we all thought sounded really interesting but just don't know the name of it or the author. So we have a challenge. What middle grade book was about a boy that would travel to other planets?
Jamie: Sweet Valley High by Francine Pascal
I made mention about one of my favorite book club book that we've read and would love for us to re-read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Our Next Meeting will be held at Joy's Home 7 PM, December 12, 2012....that's right 12/12/12!

~joy

Mockingbird by Kathryn Eskine

We had a nice discussion and a great time at our January Book Club meeting. Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine was a really great book and highly recommended. Thanks Rachel for hosting!

In attendance were Rachel, Cortney, Joy and a big welcome to Kanoe Aken and Jana Hazelette!

Rachel recommended an uplifting book I'm currently reading: The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews 

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt - 8/30/2011

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman came highly recommended by Molly Koch and Sarah Ohki!

~ from goodreads.com:

Steel Magnolias meets The Help in this Southern debut novel

sparkling with humor, heart, and feminine wisdom.

Our August meeting was at Joy's home where we had a fun time going through reading group discussion questions.

In attendance:

Lety, Sarah, Cortney, Jamie, Sally, Joy, Rachel and a BIG WELCOME to Jennifer Aiton!
There was such a wonderful spread of delicious foods. I made my great-grandmother, MaMaw's Peach Cobbler and my grandmother, Nannie's Summer Slaw. We also had mini chicken salad sandwiches, a seafood dip from Lety, Sarah made Chocolate Chip Cookie Pecan Pie and a savory dip to spread on sour dough bread and Cortney made Mint Julips for us all to drink! It was all so yummy!

~*~*~*~some favorite quotes~*~*~*~

“That's what friends should do. cherish the good and pretend not to notice the harmless rest.”

“Don't grow up too fast, Darling. Age is inevitable, but if you nurture a childlike heart, you'll never, ever grow old.”

  “But if you have so much fun, then why don't you get together more than once a month?'
She looked at me like a wise old owl and winked. 'Do something too often and it stops being special.”

 wouldn't be complete for discussion without post-it-notes


It turned out to be a really fun month, too! On Friday, August 12, 2011, nine of us attended a 7:30pm showing of "The Help".
The Help by Kathryn Stockett was our April 2010 pick.

 

 Tori, Rachel, Jamie, Sarah, Joy, Cortney, Barbie, Kainui, 

and not pictured - Sally(made a quick get-away!)

We also have a list of our books for the remainder of the year!

 
September & October:

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

Meeting: October 25
Where: Cortney Nadig's Home

November:

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Meeting: November 29
Where: Sarah Ohki's home

December:

The Christmas Train by David Baldacci
Meeting: December 27
Where: Joy Paet's home











January: 
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

Meeting:

Where: to be announced

If you are interested in hosting please let me know.

Much love and aloha! ~Joy

The Hunger Games Trilogy - 1/25/11

Such a fun book club evening. We had a terrific turnout at the Paet Home.
Cortney Nadig, Dee Boswell, Jamie(and Tristen) Dugay, Moana(and Mahealani) Piena, Wendi(and Emry) Phillips, Joy Paet, Veronica Peterson, Rachel McGovern, Lynn Lambert and a big welcome to Julie Seminavage.

Tonight we talked about The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, AND Mockingjay. All three books in the Hunger Games series.



(that's right all THREE! The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay)
So many fun resources are available online for discussion questions and trivia.


Our Next Meeting, Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 7PM.

if you'd like to get started reading RIGHT NOW many classics like The Count of Monte Cristo are available online. Once you find a classic at Goodreads.com just click on the READ button below the summary.
Other eclassics are available at:
http://freeclassicebooks.com/index.htm

Cutting for Stone 9/22/2010

Whether you read the Hardback at 541 pages:

Or the Paperback at 667 pages:

Cutting for Stone was a sweeping novel of culture and introspection. An unforgettable journey into one man’s remarkable life, and an epic story about the power, intimacy, and curious beauty of the work of healing others.

We had a wonderful Book Club this month! Sarah, thank you for all your monumental efforts. The table was set with Ethiopian delicious dishes and ponder-inducing proverbs.























In attendance:
Sarah, Laura, Lynn, Leticia, Rhona, Veronica, Wendi, Joy, Jamie, as well as a warm welcome to Rachel McGovern!

Upcoming our October Book is:
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
We will be meeting Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at Lynn Lambert's Home. Please bring a Halloween Treat!

***UPDATE***
Congratulations to each of your families!

Moana Piena, daughter Mahealani Hilia'ikeakua Piena, 8lbs. 8oz. and 20 1/2 inches on 10/12/2010


Jamie Dugay, son Tristan Yoshio Nagato Dugay, 9lbs. 8oz. and 22inches on 10/13/2010


Wendi Phillips, daughter Emry Claire Phillips, 8lbs. 3oz. and 21 1/2inches on 10/19/2010.


Amy Cook, son Landen Nubi Keali'ikoa Cook, 8lbs. 4oz. and 20 inches on 10/25/2010.


Kehau Samuelu, daughter Simalua "La'akea" Samuelu 7lbs. 1oz. 20 1/2inches on 11/4/2010.