This might be one of my favorites of this series so far because it’s my first JOINT interview with 2 besties who flew from both ends of the country to be at book·cation and it literally makes my heart burst with joy every time I think about it! 🥰 Read on to meet Katy and Victoria, two of my new fav people, as they share about their friendship, what they’re reading, and why they loved their book·cation experience!
My introduction to Katy + Victoria started when I got emails in late December that two people had just signed up for book·cation. When I looked to see who had signed up (and at the same time no less), I saw that one person lived in New York and the other in California. My immediate thought was that I was being punked, LOL! 😂 I couldn’t believe people from across the freakin’ country were coming to my event! Fast forward, they were the very first people I saw on Friday afternoon as I was starting to get things set up for book·cation. Giving them hugs totally relaxed me and reminded me how excited I was for what was to come in the next 40 hours! So thanks for that, ladies 😘
These inseparable besties initially met at an interest event for Columbia University in California where they’re both from. They connected on FB after that and basically never stopped talking! Even though they didn’t end up living together when they got to school, they were always attached at the hip. 👯♀️ They’re seriously the cutest duo and I’m so glad I get to call them friends now. Keep reading to learn more about them!
What is your favorite genre?
VICTORIA: I am a reader of many genres, but definitely my favorite is romance. But I don’t know if I’m the most standard romance reader…I love historical romance and paranormal romance. I want romance with a little bit of a twist, not a modern day romcom. I want something a little bit more removed from reality because I just love the guarantee of a happy ending and the set formula of knowing what to expect, but with new characters to explore.
KATY: My favorite is probably fantasy in general. I really pick books based on whether they are character focused. I don’t like biographies, but I just love delving into a characters mind and seeing them grow in different ways. So I read a lot of different genres, but I love anything that delves into characters and how they interact.
What is your favorite book you’ve read so far in 2025?
VICTORIA: So far, my favorite has been the book I bought at the bookmobile at book·cation- ‘Swordheart‘ by T. Kingfisher. I’ve never read any of hers before; it had such a beautiful cover! It was really fun and silly, historical romantasy that highlighted and normalized queer relationships and it was such an accepting world more so than other fantasy series we often see. Its just so cute and I was upset to find out it was the first book of an unfinished trilogy! Fun characters, great world building, in a relatively light package.
KATY: ‘The Tainted Cup‘ by Robert Jackson Bennett. It was a mystery, but set in this super intriguing world. It felt so natural, the focus was the mystery, but there was this cool world behind it. Sherlock Holmes-esque with a brilliant, quirky detective and you’re following her assistant as they investigate a murder. The characters and world were so interesting and it checked all my boxes.
Why did you come to book·cation?
VICTORIA: This is definitely something I had been wanting to do for a long time. I love reading and I’ve been trying to find new ways to find joy in activities I already love. Thought it could be fun to do one of these reader retreats and I saw yours and sent it to Katy and said, “OMG! I know we’ve been trying to plan a girls trip and haven’t been able to figure it out, we should go to this!” And Katy responded by saying, “if only this existed, that’d be so fun!” And I said, “no, it’s REAL!” Then I was visiting back home for the holidays and I was spending the day with Katy and we decided to just book it so we could finally go on our girls trip in a cute package!
KATY: I think Victoria covered it. It was lovely, it was great, 10/10 would do it again. We’re already so excited to come to another one and bummed we can’t make the October one.
What is your favorite book·cation memory?
KATY: Probably my favorite part was dinner the second night. We knew people better and it was even more comfortable to talk to everyone. I was so relaxed and ready to dive in and talk about books and get to know people. The whole weekend was great, but the second night was 10/10!
VICTORIA: I agree, the second night was so fun. But if I’m being so honest, I think my favorite thing was when we walked into the hotel and we saw you and you were like, “OMG! Are you the two from NY and CA? I’ve been dying to meet you!” You were just so warm and kind and I thought to myself, okay, no matter, what this is gonna be a nice time. This person is so nice and I instantly felt at ease when you welcomed us and it set the tone for the whole weekend. I really appreciated that. You were lovely.
*I did not tell her to say this, LOL! But I can agree that it was the best moment filled with so much genuine joy and excitement for what was in store. And after this comment we talked about all the happy tears that were shed (by me) and how Victoria is also a crier so it made me feel a bit better.
Describe book·cation in 5 words:
VICTORIA: Community-building, welcoming, restorative, comfy, and fun!
KATY: Surprising, fulfilling, rejuvenating, comfortable, full-of-heart!
What’s your unpopular book opinion?
VICTORIA: Listening to audiobooks counts as reading!
KATY: Good characters can save a bad plot, but a good plot can’t save bad characters!
The highlight of book·cation for me has been getting to meet so many new people! I love connecting with others, especially if we have a common hobby, and this group of women from our last retreat will always hold a special place in my heart. If you’d love to meet new book-loving friends, come to our next book·cation! You’ll be glad you did 😉
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