In Part 2 of my ‘Featured Reader Series’ we’re talking to a few more attendees to find out what they love to read and why they’ve loved book·cation! My hope is that you’ll read this and not just find some books to add to your TBR, but also some commonality with these fellow readers. Book·cation is meant for everyone no matter who you are or how you like to read. 🙌
Tracy and I have been friends for over a decade and when in doubt, you can find us on a dance floor, having deep discussions while we sit on the floor, or eating an entire bag of Cool Ranch Doritos 💁♀️ She’s been to both of my unofficial book·cations so far and has thoroughly enjoyed each one!
What is your favorite genre?
My favorite is Historical Fiction, but Romance + Memoirs are up there, too! I love historical fiction because I love to connect the dots, making connections and putting timelines together, and I found that historical fiction does that for me. I also just love learning about history through stories; I love the creativity writers use when they’re writing about history.
What is your favorite book you’ve read so far in 2024?
‘Don’t Forget to Write‘ by Sarah Goodman Confino was my favorite Historical Fiction. It took me by surprise- she was a new author I found on GoodReads and I’m picky so if they don’t have great ratings, I don’t have the time for it! I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did; it found me at the right time!
My favorite Romance was ‘How To Read A Book‘ by Monica Wood. I loved the writing and found it so beautiful!
My favorite Memoir was ‘The Many Lives of Mama Love‘ by Lara Love Hardin. It highlights the flaws in our prison system and has great ratings.
I’m now realizing that all three of these have to do with female friendships so I guess that’s a big theme for me!
Why did you decide to come to book·cation?
I came to support you; I just know that anything you’re passionate about will be worth my time.* I love connecting with other people- both people I know and new people- but it’s easier to connect when you have something in common with someone. I also love any excuse to get away for a weekend, especially to a new place and with new people. I enjoy changing up my routine and trying new things!
*I did not tell her to say that 🤣
What is your favorite book·cation memory?
I’ve been to 2 and I love walking into the venue/location for the first time. I’m always so excited to see how beautiful the location is and scope out the different places to read. Reading in your cozy spots at home is great, but there’s something special about being in a new place.
And I love meal time with everyone because after solo time reading it’s nice to debrief about what everyone is reading and everyone is in such a good mood so we all come to dinner in a great mood and it’s a lot of fun!
Describe book·cation in 5 words.
There’s something for everyone, promise!
What’s your unpopular book opinion?
Mystery thrillers have to be really well written to be worth my time. I should not be able to guess what’s gonna happen by halfway thru (or before that).
Next up is Madison! Madison and I actually met at our second book·cation; she’s the cousin-in-law of my friend Dani and we became very fast friends 👯♀️ We now have multiple, individual + group IG chats and text threads where we’re constantly sending reels and memes to each other… most of which have to do with anything SJM or the random things our ‘For You’ page sends us. 😂 You can also find us bullying each other into reading more unfinished romantasy series, LOL!
What is your favorite genre?
Honestly, this is so hard now. I didn’t think it’d be a hard question before…before last year, it would’ve been psychological thriller. But now…it’s romantasy. Hands down!
What is your favorite book you’ve read so far in 2024?
An impossible question…it has to be a Throne of Glass book. Ask me to choose? No, I can’t. But maybe Kingdom of Ash? Queen of Shadows? Empire of Storms? I can’t do it; it’s too hard!
Why did you decide to come to book·cation?
First off, if anyone enjoys reading books and they hear about this, I can’t imagine anything sounding better which is how I was. But also I was lucky that my wonderful cousin-in-law Danielle introduced me to the experience and this amazing group of people. It was an easy yes! If you told me I could sit with a bunch of people who love nothing more than to read…that was all I needed. I was sold! Uninterrupted reading time is an immediate yes, always!
What is your favorite book·cation memory?
I’m rephrasing your question to be what was my most impactful memory of book·cation. I was going into the weekend not really knowing what to expect. Obviously there were people I knew of who were going and a lot of people I didn’t know, but there was a moment when I was sitting there and I looked around and every single person was nose deep in a book and so content with just that and it was beautiful. I thought okay, it’s not just me! It was very validating and it’s wonderful that people have this opportunity!
Describe book·cation in 5 words.
It’s the best, no notes.
What’s your unpopular book opinion?
I have a few, but I think the biggest one is that I love reading on my kindle; it’s my preferred way of reading and people think I’m inauthentic for not reading a ‘real book’. I love being able to whip out my kindle wherever I am and read it anywhere because yea, if I have 5 minutes to spare, I’m going to read!
Whether you love to read physical books, e-readers, or you prefer audiobooks, YOU are welcome at book·cation! I hope you’ll join us 🥰 As you can see from Tracy and Madison, book·cation is a place for you to feel comfortable being yourself… aka a person who is obsessed with reading and wants to do it more 😉
For more information about our next retreat, click here! It’ll be full of time for yourself, time with community, and fun reading goodies so basically the best weekend ever!
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