If you’ve ever wondered if you’re ‘bookish enough’ or ‘social enough’ for a reading retreat, let the Featured Reader Series be your answer! Book·cation is a choose-your-own-adventure experience designed for every type of reader. My prayer in sharing these stories is so you can see that no matter how you show up, you already belong here 🥰 These two fabulous women came to our retreat solo, but in interviewing them I realized they have so much in common from their favorite memory to their unpopular book opinions. I think you’ll find that whether you’re a quiet observer or the life of the book club, there is always a seat, and a kindred spirit, waiting for you at the table.
Mari started following book·cation on Instagram a while ago and actually won a giveaway I did (now she has TWO bookish luggage tags from me 😂) which is how we first ‘met’. She works at a bookstore in Alabama and is so knowledgable on all things books. She’s also met so many incredible authors so I’m not too surprised to learn about her favorite memory from the weekend. 😏
What is your favorite genre?
My favorite genre is romance though I’ll read just about anything.
What is your favorite book you’ve read so far in 2026?
My favorite book so far this year is ‘This Book Made Me Think of You‘ by Libby Page. I read it in early February and I have no idea how anything else will top it. There are lots of books coming out this year I’m looking forward to reading, but that’s been my favorite so far!
Why did you come to book·cation?
I’ve been following book·cation on Instagram for a while now and I’ve always wanted to go. I love the idea of escaping for a long weekend and the only thing on the agenda is to just relax and read with other book lovers. But I wanted to wait until there was one within drivable distance to me so as soon as the North Carolina one popped up I was all in and set aside the dates and was ready to register!
What is your favorite book·cation memory?
I have two favorite memories. The first is when we lined up on the stairs for the group picture and I ended up standing next to someone that was reading the same book as I was that weekend! That was really cool. And second was hands down meeting Sarah McCoy and listening to her inspiration behind her book and her relationship with Mother Dolores. It felt so intimate even though we were in a room with 25 people. I just loved listening to her and her writing style and I just adored the book. That was such a big highlight!
Describe book·cation in 5 words:
I WANT TO GO BACK! Seriously though, I want to go back. But it’s also: Relaxing, Cozy, Fun, Restful, and Pampered- I felt so spoiled with the yummy food and swag.
What’s your unpopular book opinion?
Okay I have two. The first being that I absolutely despised Verity. I think Colleen Hoover has so many other great books, but I just despised this one. It’s my least fav and I’ve read almost all of her books. My second unpopoular opinon is that I cannot get into the romantasy genre. I love romance, but if I’m building worlds and having to keep that straight and who’s who and who has wings and who doesn’t… I’ve tried, but can’t. I did really like the Knight and the Moth which might go into that category, but I just can’t get into world building.
Jennifer was one of the first people to register for Book·cation and her excitement was contagious! She was the ultimate gatherer—rallying her table for group pictures each night and sharing that joy with our Facebook group. Getting to dive deeper with her through our messages after the retreat was a highlight for me, and I’m so excited to share her perspective with you all.
What is your favorite genre?
Psychological thrillers, however, my answer for #2 isn’t going to reflect that at all!
What is your favorite book you’ve read so far in 2026?
‘The Last Letter‘ by Rebecca Yarros; I’m very excited for her to see this book get a new life. It was closely followed by our book club book, ‘Whatever Happened to Lori Lovely?‘
Why did you come to book·cation?
Last year I went through all the treatments for breast cancer; I had 2 surgeries, I went through chemo and radiation, and so 2026 is my year of YES! I’m an introverted person so deciding to do this on my own was definitely a step outside my comfort zone, but I’m so happy I did it and am so excited to attend another some day!
What is your favorite book·cation memory?
Definitely the book club with Sarah McCoy. It was so wonderful to see her talk about the book and the history of it and your questions to her were just fabulous.
Describe book·cation in 5 words:
It far exceeded my exceptions! If you’re looking for 5 individual words, I’d say community, encouraging, peaceful, meticulous (Mallory thought of everything!), and surpassing. Surpassing because the info that’s out there about book·cation is wonderful and informative and so you think you know what to expect, but when you get there it’s so much more than you expected!
What’s your unpopular book opinion?
I’m not a fan of Rebecca Yarros’ other works. I started Fourth Wing and got thru Iron Flame and decided it wasn’t for me.
If you’re sitting here reading this and thinking to yourself, ‘I love a good book club, meeting authors, and sharing my unpopular book opinions,‘ then maybe it’s time to come to a book·cation! We have 2 more retreats open for 2026 and many more in the future. Our community keeps growing and you deserve to be a part of it 😘
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