I first heard of a reader’s retreat on What Should I Read Next #11, when Meredith mentioned she stayed at a hotel every time a new Louise Penny novel released. I thought to myself, “well, that must be nice.” Then I began to hear about readers’ retreats being hosted in different places, all of which were too expensive for me. The inaugural MMD Book Club retreat in 2019 was the first I attended and I enjoyed it so much. [Editor’s note: Shannan is being modest here: she was instrumental in planning this entire glorious experience!] When COVID began, Book Club pivoted to the Stay at Home Book Club Retreat and we’ve hosted an annual virtual retreat ever since.
In late 2022, still unable to afford a “real” retreat, I thought, “I can have my own personal reader’s retreat pretty easily.” I have done so over the past couple of years. When I shared this with the MMD team, Brigid had some questions so we recorded our conversation for a Patreon bonus episode. Today I’m sharing my observations and what I have learned over the years.
First, let’s define our terms. What is a reader’s retreat? In my book, it is any significant amount of time devoted to reading or the reading life. Retreats can be as short or as long as you like. My shortest retreat lasted 12 hours, starting on Friday night when I went to bed early through noon on Saturday. The key is a “significant” amount of time, whatever that means for you.
It’s always challenging for me to go on these retreats. It feels selfish—but if I can’t devote a few hours to something I enjoy, am I really enjoying my life?
Here are seven tips to plan a personal reader’s retreat:
1. Complete all your chores prior to the retreat.
Do the laundry, clean the house, water your plants; do any chores that you would normally do during the weekend before the retreat begins. This is especially important when you are having a stay-at-home retreat. You do not want those things calling your name incessantly while you are trying to retreat.
2. Factor your circumstances (budget, work and home responsibilities, etc.) into your planning.
Retreating alone or with a reader friend: that’s the dream, right? But if you can’t, be realistic about your needs. For example, if your family will be around, decide how you are going to manage the presence of others. Communicate your plans to them. Let them know you are having a special weekend and include them (or not) in your planning.
3. Plan your meals and snacks in advance.
What are you going to eat? Make this easy and fun for yourself. Can a partner handle meals? Can you prepare in advance? Perhaps takeout is an option? I love Trader Joe’s frozen meals for quick budget-friendly options. Unless, of course, cooking is your thing, in which case it might be fun to pair your meals with what you’re reading.
4. Decide what you’re going to read.
At the very least, narrow your selections down to one or two options. This is the time to pick up that particular book you’ve been saving for a special occasion.
5. Decide where you are going to read.
This is particularly important when you are homebound. Maybe you don’t have to clean your entire house before the retreat—but if you plan on reading in a particular space, make sure that space is just the way you like it. Anything within your line of sight when you look up from your book should be in a place you’re comfortable with.
6. Be intentional about your reading breaks.
This is a great time to watch an author talk from a bookstore, BookTube, or an event from the MMD Book Club. You could also watch a literary movie or adaptation. Additionally, this might be a good time to visit a local bookstore, your library, or any Little Free Libraries in your area. And of course, you can always catch up on “reading admin”: completing reviews, updating your book journal, etc. Or just take a walk for a nice break.
7. Combine your personal reader’s retreat with other readers’ community activity.
This can be particularly helpful if you, like me, tend to struggle with devoting this much time to your wants and needs and/or making that clear to members of your family. You let your family know that your book club is watching a movie together and you want to participate with them. Combining it with other people’s agendas gives you a welcome “appointment” and a great reason to make things happen. This may also keep you from feeling like you are being “selfish.” If you need this type of “excuse,” I hope that you will consider joining the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club community for a virtual Readers’ Retreat on July 18-20.
What are your tips for planning a personal reader’s retreat? Please share in the comments! I am always working to make mine a bit better and welcome your ideas and suggestions.
P.S. Book journaling tools for every reader and 7 steps to read “hard” books.
About the author
Shannan Malone is our MMD Cohost and What Should I Read Next? Patreon Community Manager. Her go-to genre depends on her mood! You can find Shannan on Instagram @shannanenjoyslife.
25 comments
I recently loaded a new book on my Kindle the night before a European flight home. I was enjoying it so much just waiting at the airport that I decided not to watch any movies and just keep reading. I even attempted to sleep but just kept reading, I was able to finish it before we landed. I will definitely plan this reading retreat for my next long flight.
What did you read?
That’s a great way to have a retreat Ana!
Ana, you have totally captured my ideal reading retreat. No responsibilities and no guilt if you are reading on the plane. I too join in asking what you were reading. Inquiring minds want to know! 🙂
The book I read was:
The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley
https://amzn.to/4bB6JIr
I just did what Ana did! I was flying back to Florida from Washington state and had just downloaded Sandwich to my Kindle. I read the whole thing on those two flights and layover! It was great!
My friend organizes and plans an annual READtreat where she rents an AirBNB for a group for a weekend devoted to reading. She keeps the cost as low as possible and no activities are planned, just reading to your heart’s content with no responsibility or expectations of socializing. It is my favorite weekend of the whole year!
My favorite reading retreat is to pair and audio book with something that occupies my hands (paper crafting, jigsaw puzzles, and cooking are my favorites). Yesterday I intentionally spent the day making cards and listening to a book that was due back at the library (Woman on the Ledge – good book!). I ended the day feeling refreshed, rested, and accomplished.
That’s lovely, Maria. I need to do something like that more in my every day life and just call it a Sunday. LOL
Wow I never planned one like that but twice I got so into an audiobook that I just kept listening, sometimes doing chores or cooking or even just stretched out on the couch because I could NOT stop. Also several times I started a HB and wound up reading all night until I finished it. But I never planned one… I think I will give that a try
This is so timely!! I’m going on my first reading retreat today. I’ll be staying in an Airbnb about an hour away from my house for 4 nights — I’m bringing a couple of books from my TBR plus my Kindle, but there’s also a very cute independent bookstore nearby so I figured I would go there and buy a staff pick or two!
OMG – I love this for you!!! Have a great time. 🙂
Have a great time Sue! Thanks for commenting.
This is my dream!
With a busy household full of kids at home, I try to make time to go to my mom’s house every time they are traveling. Sometimes it’s just for the day, sometimes it’s a few days….. whatever I feel like I need for a retreat to refresh and refill.
That’s a lovely idea, Jessica. Thank you for reading.
Our libraries here have rooms you can reserve for free. A wonderful retreat is to reserve one of the rooms for all day or part of the day. Then, take your book, your water or other beverage (most of our libraries allow you to bring in coffee for example), your phone for quiet music and you are all set. AND bonus – you are in the library a place full of books. I have done that for the MMD reading retreats and it worked great.
That’s a great idea. I never thought of that. My library has a room with a fireplace and I am going to do that this winter.
My book club has had 2 reading retreats and they have been so great! Both times it was just me and one friend, but it was so wonderful and relaxing. We rent an Airbnb about an hour away and bring food and drinks. We talk and laugh and read, of course! I plan on it being a yearly tradition.
Sounds lovely. Thanks for sharing.
This is so timely for me too- as I am on my cabin in the woods reading retreat right now. Every year, I rent a cabin in the woods for about 4-5 days to just read, drink wine, and sit in nature. Highly recommend! I leave feeling recharged and fulfilled.
I loved Sue’s previous comment about buying books from the independent bookstore nearby her stay. I might have to start doing that too.
I am planning a reading retreat with some friends. A (different) friend is loaning her house in the foothills with a creek in the back, complete with fire pit lounge, picnic tables and ducks. Oh, and gourmet kitchen. For three nights!
We plan to bring in groceries and the guidelines are thus:
1. DIY breakfast, company optional. Solo DIY lunches.
2. Quiet time from 10 am to 6pm each day. Minimal conversation. Read, roam, reveries at will.
3. Two nights shared dinner, pot luck and catch up. Post dinner activities (movies and smores) optional.
4. Third night out to dinner where we discuss our books and celebrate each other.
I’m hoping for a good balance of social and hermit here!
This sounds fabulous!
I’ve planned a retreat/beach excursion for our bookclub. We read the book Hotel Laguna by Nicola Harrison. This week we are going to travel to Laguna Beach which is a 1 1/2 hrs drive away from us out here in the desert heat. Breakfast we will take in Crystal Cove where the movie, Beaches, was filmed. Then on to the Hotel Laguna for a French 75 with our lunch and a walk down the beach. A shopping spree at the Sawdust Festival for some arts and craft fun then to our hotel to rest and get ready for the Pageant of the Masters.
My favorite reading retreat is to drive to one of the state park lodges and grab a chair by the fireplace. I read until lunch at the lodge restaurant. Return to my place in front of the fire until evening when I return home. For the cost of gas and lunch I spend 8 hours reading and relaxing. The nature views out the window provide a welcome sight during each season.
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