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New releases by Hawaii authors
"Lisa, The Brief Life of a Writer" by Lisa Malia McDonough (Xlibris/JimRizzuto.com, $24.99)
Lisa Malia McDonough lived longer than anyone suspected she would, but not nearly long enough. Gradually punched into the beyond by cystic fibrosis, McDonough's 34 years were marked by a love of the craft of writing. The former Honolulan moved to Florida and began a tentative career writing for the Palm Beach Post, although she was never strong enough to work full-time. She primarily reviewed books -- this posthumous collection of her works reveals as much about her glittering humanity as it does about the book being scrutinized -- as well as essays on the looming presence of CF, her spiritual interest in her Celtic roots and several stunningly mature poems of pain, hope and fading physicality. Although this collection was assembled by family friends, it speaks to all of us."An Ancient History of Waianae" by Ross Cordy (Mutual, $13.95)
Ex-state archaeologist and prolific essayist Cordy has assembled his notes on ancient sites of the left coast of Oahu. This is fairly dry stuff, and pretty textbooky. Since Cordy teaches archaeology, this will be right up his students' digs. For the rest of us, zzzzzzzz ..."Welcome to Fred" by Brad Whittington (Broadman & Holman, $12.99)
Honolulu writer Whittington's first novel is set in small-town Texas, where the bright and engaging teen hero learns to find himself. What could have been a routine coming-of-age tale is redeemed by Whittingtons's mastery of low-key details, his sleight-of-hand amusements and spiritual dialectics without being preachy. Whittington will sign copies at noon to 2 p.m. April 19 at Logos Bookstore."Okinawan Diaspora" edited Ronald Y. Nakasone (University of Hawaii Press, $19.95)
It wasn't that long ago that Okinawans were sort of lumped with the Japanese as an ethnic group, but that was before everyone sought uniqueness as an identity. This collection of essays and factoids establishes Okinawans as a specific group caught between East and West -- one essayist compares the plight of Okinawans to that of Palestinians -- and how that identity was shaped by their time abroad.
Reviewed by Burl Burlingame
bburlingame@starbulletin.com
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Send items at least two weeks in advance of publication to 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813; or fax 529-4750. Read all about it
AUTHOR SIGNINGS
"The Privilege of Parenting: How to Raise Great Kids in the 21st Century"By James Levine, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Bestsellers Bishop Square. Call 528-2378.
"The Money Dragon"
By Pam Chun, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Friday at Bestsellers Bishop Square. Call 528-2378.
"Hawaiian Lei in Crochet"
By Roberta Wong, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Ben Franklin Enchanted Lake. Call 735-4211.
READINGS
Lois-Ann Yamanaka2 p.m. today at Kumu Kahua Theatre, 46 Merchant St. Join Yamanaka and the Bamboo Ridge Press gang for a reading before the benefit performance of "Heads by Harry." Mature audiences. Tickets: $25. Call 536-4441.
Poetry Reading
6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Mililani Public Library. In celebration of Poetry Month, teenagers will read original works in the library's Young Adult section. Other original poems will be on display for viewing. Free. Call 627-7470.
"The Money Dragon"
By Pam Chun, 11 a.m. Saturday at the Pacific Beach Hotel. Presented by the Chinese Women's Club of Honolulu. Tickets: $18.50. Call 839-1421.
STORYTELLING
Hawaii State Library10:30 a.m. Saturdays at the library's Edna Allyn Room for Children. Keiki of all ages welcome. Call 586-3510.
Kaimuki Public Library
10:30 to 10:50 a.m. Thursdays at the library. For toddlers; led by children's librarian Sandra Hall. Call 733-8423.
WORKSHOPS/LECTURES
Horizon Sunrise Workshop9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays through April 26 at the Waialua Public Library. Learn how to use the new Horizon Sunrise online catalog system, used to search for library materials in the Hawaii State Public Library System. Free. Call 637-8286 for reservations.
SPECIAL
"Don Francisco de Paula Marin, A Biography"4 to 6 p.m. today at Palomino Honolulu. The Hawaiian Historical Society presents a program, pupu reception and wine tasting featuring editor Agnes Conrad, historian Bob Dye, archaeologist Tom Dye and a local wine expert. Tickets: $25. Call 537-6271.
Jim May
The Emmy Award-winning storyteller and author will visit local libraries as part of the 2003 National Library Week Celebration. Suitable for those ages 5 and up. Call 831-6877.
>> 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at the Kapolei Public Library
>> 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Waimanalo Public and School Library
>> 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Kailua Public Library
>> 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Pearl City Public Library
>> 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Salt Lake-Moanalua Public Library
Waimanalo Library Birthday Party
9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Waimanalo Public and School Library. Enjoy hula performances and birthday cake during the library's 25th-birthday celebration. Free. Call 259-2610.
CONTINUING
Bestsellers Reading GroupMeets at 7 p.m. every second Wednesday of the month at Borders Waikele; 676-6699.
Crafts and Stories: 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Barnes & Noble; call 737-3323.
Book Sale
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesdays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays at the Kaneohe Public Library. Call 233-5676.
Literature Readers Group
Meets at 7 p.m. every second Tuesday of the month at Borders Ward Centre; call 591-8995.
Moonlight Storytellers
7 to 9 p.m. every second Friday of the month. Novice and experienced storytellers are welcome to swap tales and develop storytelling skills. Call Vicky Dworkin at 262-2049.
Romance Readers Anonymous
6:30 p.m. every second Thursday of the month at Borders Waikele; call 676-6699.
Romantic Borders Readers Group
7 p.m. every second Thursday of the month at Borders Ward Centre; call 591-8995.
Spiritual Book Club
10 a.m. Thursdays in Hawaii Kai. Sponsored by Church of Keauhou. The club is currently studying Dr. Phil's book "Self Matters" during its meetings. Call Sue at 988-8618 for details.
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