Everything Books: 5-12-17
Cookbook signing, recipe tasting this evening at Keauhou Store
Join Chef Natasha MacAller for the Hawaii Island debut of her new book, “SPICE Health Heroes” today at the Keauhou Store in Holualoa.
MacAller will be at the store from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. for a book signing and tastes from her new cookbook. A former professional ballerina, MacAller is known worldwide as the “Dancing Chef.” The event is hosted by the Keauhou Store and ACF Kona-Kohala Chefs Association.
With more than 80 recipes, including contributions from 20 internationally renowned chefs from around the world, the book takes the home cook on a journey through the spice cabinet and will inspire the reader to add a fragrant spice to every meal.
“SPICE Health Heroes” includes a detailed study of the history, myths and traditional uses of spices. The book examines the culinary, nutritional and medical applications of the everyday and more exotic spices found in your pantry. Medical and nutritional claims are backed by contributions from an impressive team of international medical professionals and institutions.
Info: Thea Brown at 322-5203, or email keauhoustore@gmail.com.
FOLK book sale Saturday is last until August
The Friends of the Libraries, Kona holds its next book sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday on the Kailua-Kona Public Library lanai.
Proceeds support the needs of the Kona libraries. Teachers will receive discounts with their school ID. This is the last sale before a summer hiatus. Sales will resume in August.
As always, volunteers are welcome and book donations are accepted at the library.
Info/volunteer: 322-0077.
Book club to discuss ‘In Paradise’
The Friends of the Libraries, Kona Book Club meets at 11 a.m. Tuesday on the Kailua-Kona Public Library lanai to discuss “In Paradise” by Peter Matthiessen.
“In Paradise” tells the story of a group of men and women who come together for a week-long meditation retreat at the site of a World War II concentration camp, and the grief, rage and upsetting revelations that surface during their time together.
In June, the club will meet to discuss “Path Between the Seas” by David McCullough.
Info: folk@folkhawaii.com.
Travel book club meets Tuesday at Kona Stories
Kona Stories hosts a travel book club on Tuesday discussing “Deep South” by Paul Theroux.
The group meets at 6:30 p.m. at the store. Book groups are free if books are purchased at Kona Stories, or a $5 donation is requested.
Theroux has spent the past 50 years roaming the globe, describing his encounters with remote people and far-flung places in 10 best-selling travel books. Now, for the first time, he explores a part of America — the Deep South. Setting out on a winding road trip, Theroux discovers a region of architectural and artistic wonders, incomparable music, mouth-watering cuisine—and also some of the worst schools, medical care, housing, and unemployment rates in the nation.
Info: Brenda or Joy, 324-0350, www.konastories.com.
‘Roller Girl’ is 2017 Nene Award winner
“Roller Girl” by Victoria Jamieson, a Newbery Honor Award Winner, has been chosen by the children of Hawaii as the winner of the 2017 Nene Award.
“Roller Girl” is a heartwarming graphic novel about friendship and surviving junior high through the power of roller derby.
The Nene Honor Book Award (runner-up) is “The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate.
The award is presented to the favorite fiction book based on a vote by the children of Hawaii in grades 4 through 6. This year, a total of 5,590 students from 62 public libraries and private and public schools statewide voted. Perma-Bound Books will donate a copy of the 2017 award-winning title to each participating public library and school.
The Nene Award is sponsored by the Hawaii Library Association’s Children and Youth Section, Hawaii Association of School Librarians, Department of Education, Hawaii State Public Library System, Friends of the Library of Hawaii, Scholastic Book Fairs, Perma-Bound Books, The Library Corporation, and the Hawaii Book and Music Festival.
Info: https://nene.k12.hi.us.
Oahu author announces debut novel
Oahu native Jen Angeli announces her debut novel “Kino and the King” expected to release this week.
“Kino and the King” is a novel filled with Hawaiian history, customs, language, and lore. Based on real people, places, and events, both historical and current, the story educates as it entertains. Written for middle school students, it’s an enjoyable read for kids and adults alike.
The book tells the story of Kino Kahele who hoped for a mobile device but instead received a shimmery rock as a present — given to her by her grandmother. She tells Kino the stone is filled with mana, the lifeblood of the islands. It was passed down for generations specifically for Kino on her 12th birthday — to help her find her destiny.
While hiding from bullies in the grass hut at Bishop Museum, Kino dropped her special stone into a conch shell. With a flash of bright light, she is transported to 1825, just five years after the missionaries arrived in Hawaii.
She meets an 11-year-old boy, weeks before he is crowned Kamehameha III. Together, they go on a journey around Oahu, gathering the four items a kahuna said she needed to fulfill her destiny and return home.
Angeli grew up on Oahu and graduated from St. Francis High School in the 1980s. She now lives in Pearl City.
Hilo author tells story of being trapped in Iran
Hilo author Patricia Panahi recently released her debut novel, “Veil of Walls.”
In Hilo author Patricia Panahi’s debut novel, “Veil of Walls,” we meet Anahita Sadeghi, a typical American 10-year-old girl whose one-month family visit to Iran turns into a nightmare when she is not allowed to return to the United States.
Panahi will share personal stories about the shock of being ripped from her East Coast home and taken to the walled-in courtyards of Tehran at Kona Stories in the Keauhou Shopping Center at 6 p.m. on June 6.
Born in Massachusetts, Panahi moved to Iran at the age of 9. She later returned to the states and completed her graduate work at San Diego State University. Panahi has taught English in Iran, California, and Hawaii, owned and operated The Light Spot Bookstore and Coffee House in San Diego, and directed English language programs for international students for the University of Hawaii.
Info: Patricia Panahi at ppanahi@aol.com, 987-4724. ■