Hi, my bookish friend!
Springtime always brings out the travel bug in me, probably due to being cooped up all winter! So, as I was researching fun bookish topics to share with you, I came across “Reading Retreats” and thought it sounded like an awesome idea!
This type of getaway or “readaway” is the ideal vacation or weekend escape for book lovers who dream of endless, uninterrupted reading time. Instead of packing your days with sightseeing, you settle in, slow down, and sink into a good book.
So, today I’ve partnered with VRBO to bring you ten reading retreats you can book today! (Or just click on them and dream about planning your own reading retreat!)
Plus …
What I’d read at each of these readaways!
5 Tips for planning a reading retreat: with friends, solo, or staycation-style!
And Bookish News Updates: April Book Club Picks!
Happy Reading!
Your friend,
Audry
P.S. To help you find your books faster and easier, I’ll provide links to Amazon on the book’s title, plus a link to Bookshop.org to shop the books on today’s list!
With a library full of rare books, it’s made for getting lost in a good story! You can spend your mornings reading on the back deck with coffee, then take breaks in the cedar hot tub, hammock, or sauna. And since it’s walking distance to South Congress, you can easily pair your reading time with great food and live music. Learn more about staying here!
What I’d read here: Smart, character-driven fiction. Or books set in Austin!
Book Pick: The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave is a fast-paced mystery that pulls you into the streets of Austin as a stepmother and stepdaughter chase down the truth behind a man’s hidden past.
Listed as “the perfect place for those who want to follow the trails left behind by famous authors, such as Torquato Tasso, Keats, Ibsen, Shelley …” Mix quiet reading time with little walks to the beach and the main square. Enjoy sunny terraces, gorgeous views of the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius, plus a cozy bookcase in one of the bedrooms. Learn more about staying here!
What I’d read here: Books set along the Amalfi Coast or classic literature.
Book Pick: Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter is a smart, funny, and romantic read that feels made for a dreamy Italian getaway. Set between the Ligurian coast and Hollywood, it gives you all the sun-soaked charm, glamour, and escapist vibes you want while lounging by the water.
You get 120 acres of peaceful farmland to wander, plus a front-row seat to adorable farm animals (basically the perfect reset!). And because it’s close to Albany, Troy, and a bunch of restaurants and shops, you can have that quiet, nature-filled escape without feeling completely cut off from the real world. Learn more about staying here!
What I’d read here: Obviously, I’d bring a copy of The Hobbit! But any cozy fantasy will do!
Book Pick: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune is a whimsical, cozy, feel-good fantasy about leaving an ordinary life behind for a magical, secluded place. The story reminds you that “family” can be found in the most unexpected places (like a Hobbit House!).
You’ll feel as if you’re leaving your life behind on the ferry ride to Orcas Island! The peaceful setting with water views is perfect for getting lost in a good book. Plus, the cozy wood interiors, round rooms, and large deck spaces make your reading time a little adventure of its own! Learn more about staying here!
What I’d read here: Page-turning novels, literary fiction, or dreamy essays or poetry books.
Book Pick: The Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah is the perfect pick because it drops you right into the moody, misty beauty of the Pacific Northwest. With its story of a wild child found in the Washington woods, this book feels like it was made to be read somewhere cozy, hidden away, and surrounded by trees.
This house, filled with books, beautiful details, and old-library charm, creates an atmosphere that makes reading feel extra special. It’s a great place to stay with friends or solo, for quiet reading time plus little escapes to the nearby German Village section of the city. Learn more about staying here!
What I’d read here: Atmospheric and immersive literary fiction, mysteries, or cozy fantasies
Book Pick: Buckeye by Patrick Ryan is a sweeping, emotional family saga set in small-town Ohio. With decades of secrets, love, and local history woven through the story, it’s the kind of page-turner that feels right at home at The Book House!
Stay right above a bookstore and a juice bar in downtown Nantucket! With comfy seating, an impressive wall of books, and no need for a car, it’s easy to settle in, slow down, and spend your days fully in your reading bubble. Learn more about staying here!
What I’d read here: Elin Hilderbrand! Or any beach read. Memoirs would match the vibe, too!
Book Pick: The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand is the perfect book for a Nantucket escape, especially if you’re on a book retreat with friends! With island details, delicious food, and entertaining social drama, it’s a cozy, reflective story that’ll keep you turning pages at the Loft or on the beach!
If your dream reading retreat comes with ocean views, this place is hard to beat! Settle into one of several cozy reading spots, curl up by the fire, and browse a seriously impressive private collection of New Zealand literature while the sound of the waves does its thing in the background. Learn more about staying here!
What I’d read here: Literary fiction, books by New Zealand authors, or poetry
Book Pick: The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton is a rich, sweeping mystery set during New Zealand’s 1860s gold rush. It has all the moody atmosphere, danger, and old-world detail you could want while soaking up the rugged beauty of your surroundings.
Step into a storybook world before you even crack open your book! The cozy, magical decor makes it easy to enjoy uninterrupted reading time. Plus, it’s tucked into a quiet setting but still close to the Smoky Mountains and other attractions. Learn more about staying here!
What I’d read here: Obviously, your entire Harry Potter collection! Plus, fantasy, romantasy, or mysteries. Book Pick:
Head north for ocean views, a quiet beach just a short walk away, and plenty of cozy spots to curl up with a book. The screened-in porch, hot tub, and peaceful bedrooms make it easy to settle in, slow down, and actually finish a few chapters. And it’s close to pretty coastal towns and great restaurants! Learn more about staying here!
What I’d read here: Atmospheric, beachy mystery/thrillers, or a sweeping novel.
Book Pick: The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters is a tender, haunting novel partially set in Nova Scotia that follows a Mi’kmaq family through loss, memory, and the long shadow of a missing child. It’s a deeply emotional and quietly powerful story that feels made for a reflective reading retreat by the Atlantic Ocean.
Big windows, forest views, and a quiet pond make it easy to settle in with a book and forget about your to-do list for a while. Enjoy cozy spots, beautiful natural light, and an inviting hot tub! Learn more about staying here!
What I’d read here: Whimsical fiction with magical realism and nature-inspired settings would be perfect!
Book Pick: Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson is a cozy, whimsical fantasy …and it matches the “emerald” theme! This light, magical escape has clever narration, pirates, and a wildly imaginative sea-filled world!
1. Pick the kind of retreat you want:
With friends: Choose a place big enough for everyone to relax together. (Watch these friends as an example!)
Solo: Pick a quiet spot where you can truly unwind.
Staycation: If travel isn’t in the budget right now, create your own retreat at home.
2. Look for a place that feels calm and cozy, with good lighting, comfy furniture, and maybe a nice view. If you’re staying home, you can still create that feeling with soft blankets, candles, snacks, and a little background music.
3. Build your book stack to match the mood of your retreat (just like I did above!). And don’t forget audiobooks are perfect for walks, driving, or quiet downtime.
4. Pack like a book lover! In addition to the books/e-readers, also bring a blanket and cozy socks. Select fun snacks plus coffee, tea, or your favorite drink. And bring a notebook or journal, if you like to jot down thoughts.
5. Ditch the packed itinerary! Only plan time for reading, napping, snacking, taking walks, having discussions over a relaxed dinner, and, perhaps, going on a trip to a nearby bookstore.
Note: If you want the planning done for you, organized reading retreats such as the Silent Book Club offer book club chats, themed treats, fun activities, and plenty of time to read!
READ WITH JENNA: Upward Bound by Woody Brown is a heartfelt story set in a Los Angeles adult daycare center for disabled people. (Amazon | Bookshop.org)
SARAH SELECTS: This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum is a love story, a mystery, and a thriller about best friends. One goes missing. One is a suspect. (Amazon | Bookshop.org)
GMA BOOK CLUB: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke is one of the most talked-about books this spring! A “tradwife” influencer wakes up one morning in 1855. (Amazon | Bookshop.org)
KATIE COURIC BOOK CLUB (KCBC): James by Percival Everett is a book I feel everyone should read! The Pulitzer Prize-winning novel reimagines Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. (Amazon | Bookshop.org)
“The thing I love best about reading fiction is that it gives you a way to connect the experiences of your own life to the larger world.”
― Elin Hilderbrand, The Five-Star Weekend
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Page-Turners to Pack on a Trip
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June 25, 2025
Hi, my bookish friend! My summer has a few trips planned, including an extended family cruise to Alaska and a trip to the nearby Delaware Seashore. So, I’ve been prepping which books I’ll bring with me to read. (Because priorities, right?!)
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