It’s so incredible to live in a time where reading retreats are not only a thing, but there are lots to choose from! When I got this idea back in 2023, I didn’t know anyone who was doing it. On one hand, that was a little intimidating- who could I ask for advice or follow along to get ideas? On the other hand, it meant I got to create something entirely my own. Over the last 3.5 years I’ve molded book·cation into a reading retreat that I’m deeply proud of and here’s what makes it different.
#1- Location Sweet Spot
When designing book·cation, I thought about what I wanted in a retreat. Where would I want to go to feel relaxed? I definitely wanted to be somewhere a bit fancier than my house. 😂 I knew I didn’t want to have to cook for people or assume other people will bring food to prepare for themselves or others. No delegating! No food prep! To me, as a mom, I want to be in a space that’s not cluttered. I don’t want to clean up after people and I want my own bed and bathroom… maybe you can relate?
To be honest, I’ve only ever really pictured book·cation at resorts because I want it to be a treat. As women, we rarely put ourselves first and so if I’m going to leave my family for a weekend, I want to feel taken care of without taking care of anything. Resorts give us a beautiful location and amenities we don’t have at home (hello spa!) while also ‘secluding’ us in a way that gives us time to focus on books which is what we want 🙌🏼
Basically, I’m giving you resort-level experience without the resort-level price tag.
#2- The Local Connection
Supporting small businesses is very important to me which is why supporting the local community- especially businesses that are female owned- is always a priority at my retreats. You’ll find goodies in your swag bag and treats at your seat from local spots 🎁 and every Friday night we spotlight incredible indie authors from the area with a local author giveaway. We have 3-4 genres represented and some copies are even signed. We also partner with a local bookstore- sometimes a mobile shop, sometimes a brick and mortar- to host a pop-up book fair just for our attendees. (Because obviously we need MORE books… 😉)
In addition to featuring authors in our giveaway, we also try to find a local author for our book discussion. At book·cation, you can read whatever you want, but you have the opportunity to participate in a book club if you’d like. You’d just read the book beforehand and then at book·cation we’ll have an opportunity to meet and chat with the author. I typically run it as a Q&A where I ask questions and then open it to everyone else. We typically end it with a book signing.
#3- The Swag Bag Philosophy
When curating the swag bags, I’m extremely intentional about what goes in them. I always try to secure goodies from female owned businesses whenever possible. In fact, I have two local girlfriends who help execute my vision for shirts, totes, and other goodies. It will have a little bit of everything a reader could want- treats, reading accessories and apparel, and of course BOOKS! 📚
I’ve been so blessed to be able to create relationships with publishers. It’s truly something I never saw coming when I started book·cation! At almost all of our retreats, we’ve had at least 3 books donated by publishers for our swag bags. It’s important to me that we keep that number more exclusive in order to spotlight these publishers and give you an opportunity to read and talk about them.
#4- The Community
The heart of book·cation isn’t the swag bag. I was longing for not just uninterrupted time to read, but also connection with other readers! The retreat is designed to give you your space to read when and where you want with optional bookish activities and community dinners to foster connection and conversation.
Our retreats are intentionally kept more intimate than a big conference. I wanted it small enough that you’ll actually get to know the people in the room, not just be in the same room as them. It also gives you opportunities to talk to lots of different people with different backgrounds from different places. But don’t take my word for it…
What I really like is that no one is saying, “What do you do?” and “What does your husband do?” There’s no hollowness. It’s just about books and people take you at face value; people are just themselves. No one is trying to pretend to be someone they’re not and I find it so refreshing. – Maryann M.
You start with these people who are new friends, but then you get to skip to the good part where you already have so much in common. They’re new friends who feel like old friends! -Nikki P.
Want to see what a Book·cation weekend actually looks like? Check out one of our retreat recaps here!
Building book·cation has been one of the greatest joys of my life- I’m so honored that you trust me to create this experience! If any part of this post made you think that sounds like me, I’d love to have you join us 🙌🏼 We have a few retreats a year and everyone is welcome! Solo traveler? Come anyway. Romance reader? Fantasy fan? Thriller devotee? There’s a seat for you. You deserve a weekend that’s entirely, unapologetically yours.
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