5 literary retreats to keep an eye on this summer For those who love to read but sometimes prefer to do so with others

Literary retreats are travel experiences entirely dedicated to books and reading that have gained growing popularity in recent years, especially in the United States, but are increasingly being discussed in Europe as well. The phenomenon has become so widespread and appreciated that it has attracted the attention of publications such as the New York Times, which recently published a feature on one of these events.

The format of literary retreats is quite simple: for a few days, a group of people gathers in a quiet, secluded, and peaceful location where they can dedicate ample time to reading. Alongside individual moments spent with books, there are also opportunities for discussion and social interaction with others who share the same passion - something highly appreciated by participants, many of whom experience the loneliness often associated with reading a book.

So, let's take a look at 5 literary retreats to keep an eye on this summer.

Viaggiare coi libri

In Italy, one of the most popular retreats in this field is Viaggiare coi libri, a project that has been active for several years and was created by content creators Gaia Lapasini and Giulia Buzzoni, who focus on publishing and literary outreach on social media. The initiative organizes an average of a couple of literary retreats each month across Italy, and each participant is free to read whichever book they prefer. Individual reading sessions alternate with moments of discussion, during which participants share impressions, recommendations, and reflections on their chosen book.

Page Break

The retreats organized by Page Break, which hosts retreats throughout New York State, follow an alternative formula. All participants read the same book, while the program alternates read-aloud sessions with individual reading time, creating a more collective experience centered on the shared exploration of the selected text. In addition, the authors of the featured books often take part in the retreat themselves, a characteristic that undoubtedly adds another layer of appeal to the event.

Zibby Owens

The retreats organized by Zibby Owens, a publisher and literary entrepreneur from Santa Monica, California, follow the same model as Page Break: writers take part in the gatherings, discuss their works with attendees, and share informal moments with them. Novels are the genre most frequently chosen for these initiatives, partly because they lend themselves particularly well to shared reading and group discussion.

Bad Bitch Book Club

According to statistics, the majority of regular novel readers are women, so it is not surprising that some literary retreats are designed exclusively for a female audience. This is the case with the Bad Bitch Book Club, which organizes both online and offline stays and gatherings (in locations across the United States such as Vermont, Maine, Palm Springs, Savannah, and Harpers Ferry) reserved for women who are passionate about books, combining reading, recreational activities, and opportunities for socializing.

Ladies Who Lit

A similar approach to that of Bad Bitch Book Club is also adopted by Ladies Who Lit, which organizes retreats in and around Chicago and beyond, focused on reading and building a community of women readers, with the goal of fostering new friendships and cultural exchange in a relaxed and informal setting.