Hale 'aina
Welcome to the Hale Aina Women's Book Club, a space inspired by the Hawaiian tradition of gathering, storytelling, and sharing knowledge. In ancient Hawai'i, the Hale Aina was the women's eating house, a sacred place of nourishment, learning, and connection. Rooted in this legacy, our club celebrates books that explore identity, culture, and the joy of reading. Join us as we dive into thoughtful selections and share our favorite reads!
Favorite stand alone The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean The Book Eaters is a hauntingly original, genre-bending novel that blends dark fantasy, motherhood, and identity with razor-sharp commentary. Dean crafts a world where stories are literally consumed—and so are people. It's gritty, thought-provoking, and emotionally charged in all the best ways. As a stand-alone, it hits that rare sweet spot: fully immersive, deeply satisfying, and impossible to forget. This one lives rent-free in our heads and hearts. We highly recommend it to anyone craving something different—especially women reclaiming their own narratives.
Sleeper Hit Himself by Jess Kidd Himself is a wild, lyrical ride through a small Irish village haunted by secrets—and ghosts. Jess Kidd blends rich folklore, dark humor, and a murder mystery wrapped in the mist of the supernatural. The writing is lush and cinematic, full of characters you can almost smell the tea and turf off of. But beneath the fun of spectral whispers and levitating teacups is a deeper, aching love for Irish culture: its resilience, its silence, its stories both told and buried. It’s a ghost story, yes—but also a story about memory, belonging, and the way trauma lingers like smoke in old walls. Equal parts hilarious, heartbreaking, and haunting. A house favorite.
Snuck up and stole our hearts The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab We went in expecting a clever twist on immortality. What we got was a lyrical, aching love letter to memory, art, freedom—and the cost of being forgotten. Addie LaRue’s story unfolds like a slow spell, quietly wrapping itself around you until you're utterly undone. Schwab’s writing is luminous, and the world she builds is both magical and painfully human. It’s about making a mark, even when no one remembers your name. This one lingers. It whispered its way into our hearts—and stayed. We’ve officially fallen in love with V.E. Schwab, so don’t be surprised if she shows up again (and again) in our book club picks. She's that good.
Didn't see it coming Sourdough by Robin Sloan We picked this up thinking it was just about bread. What we got? A quirky, whimsical journey through tech, fermentation, and finding purpose when you least expect it. Sourdough is quietly brilliant—equal parts cozy and surreal, with a touch of magical realism that sneaks up on you like a wild yeast starter. This book fed our souls and made us laugh out loud. Perfect for anyone who’s ever felt stuck and needed a little rise. A warm, weird, wonderful surprise.