Maine Reading Retreat

Pack Your Books—WE’RE GOING TO Maine!

Join us for new books and new friends at Book Huddle’s fall retreat in Maine from October 25-27, 2024! With book discussions, cozy amenities, nature walks, and a private book fair, it will be the perfect East Coast weekend.

a reading retreat IN MAINE from OCT 25-27, 2024.

Gear up for an unforgettable fall retreat with Book Huddle in the adorable seaside town of Kennebunkport, Maine!

For our fifth retreat, I wanted something that felt very East Coast casual, almost like a motel vibe where people could spend much time in comfy clothes and nature. That’s why I was so thrilled to find this spot in a seaside town about 30 minutes from Portland, ME's airport. It’s about 20-minute walk away from the main Kennebunkport town, so it’s the most pedestrian-friendly reading retreat yet!

Our retreat venue is The Lodge on the Cove, a charming hotel nestled on a wooded cove. With multiple buildings, spacious rooms, an onsite restaurant, and a games clubhouse, this location is the perfect blend between outdoorsy and modern.

The best part? We’ll have the entire venue to ourselves for the weekend!

  • "I booked the next retreat when I got home."

    “The retreat was the perfect mixture of activities and relaxing. Many of us have different book preferences, but we all shared a love of reading. I had such a great time I booked the next retreat when I got home.”

    Katie F. from Silverdale, WA

  • "I can't wait to attend more."

    “New friends, good books, and a weekend of relaxation? Yes, please! I had a blast at the reading retreat and I can’t wait to attend more. I found myself in a room full of strangers talking like we’d known each other our entire lives. It was warm and welcoming and the most fun I’ve ever had. Bookworms make the best friends and no one will convince me otherwise. 10/10 would recommend!”

    Kat C. from Tacoma, WA

  • "A weekend I will remember."

    "It’s hard to explain the magic of what the book huddle weekend was! From walks in the woods to in-depth discussions about our favorite books, it is a weekend I will remember for quite some time. It’s hard to believe we all started the huddle as strangers; I walked away from the weekend having made connections I will treasure for a long time."

    Erica L. from Seattle, WA

  • "I'M SO GLAD TO HAVE CONNECTED WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER."

    This Book Huddle event was such a joyful time to be a part of! As a former agoraphobe, it was an extremely comfortable, yet exciting weekend. The activities were well thought out and the food was amazing, but the best part was easily the company! I’m so glad to have been able to connect with people from all over, share our thoughts on books, and add an excessive number of titles to my ever growing tbr.

    Hannah N. from Phoenix, AZ

  • "Every single person i met was exceptional and kind."

    "The connections made on this trip were truly wonderful and every single person I met was exceptional and kind!"

    Jacqueline G. from Austin, TX

Your ticket includes:

SELECTED BOOK

Get your chosen book mailed in advance, setting the stage for a weekend of book chats!

COMFORTABLE LODGING

Choose from single or shared rooms, each with a full bathroom.

BOOK FAIR

Browse the best (and most underrated) books in a private curated book fair!

designated HUDDLE

Get matched up with a designated group for engaging book discussions.

welcome bag

Get a gift bag full of reader-friendly goodies and exclusive merch on arrival.

FALL WALKS

Unwind in a group outdoor walk in perfect autumnal weather.

LOBSTER BAKE

Experience a Maine staple with our own private lobster bake!

exclusive access

Enjoy private access to the entire property, reserved solely for our group.

GAMES ROOM

Play fun games like ping pong and checkers in the property’s onsite clubhouse!

OFFSITE LUNCH

Venture into town with an offsite lunch, prepared special for our group!

ALL MEALS

Savor all meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages during the retreat.

cash bar AVAILABILITY

Complement the fresh fall air with a drink from our private cash bar!

Note: Air and car transportation to/from the retreat is not included in the fee.

With a 99% satisfaction rating across our retreats, you can expect deep connections, immersive reads, and unforgettable moments with fellow book enthusiasts.

  • Exclusive Access

  • BOOKISH MERCH

  • Fireside S'mores

  • COZY NOOKS

  • SPACIOUS ROOMS

  • Ample Reading time

  • Onsite Restaurant

  • Book Discussions

  • Adorable amenities

  • GAMES CLUBHOUSE

  • PRIVATE BOOK FAIR

EACH ROOM IS A COMFORTABLE COASTAL ESCAPE.

I’m a bit high-maintenance when it comes to sleeping, and I’m so excited about The Lodge on the Cove’s adorable rooms. You'll have the choice of either a single (king bed) or a shared room (two queen beds). The property has multiple buildings, and every building has a unique colour palette, so your room will be delightfully unique. All guest rooms have a full bathroom with shower/tub, soothing bath amenities, hair dryers, flat-screen TVs with DVD players and HD cable, mini refrigerator, coffee maker, and microwave, air conditioning, and wifi.

If you’re going for a shared room option, you can pre-select a roommate or be paired with a fellow attendee after you get your ticket!

option one

Solo Room

Want privacy? Then you might like your own room with a king-sized bed. (And don’t worry, there will be plenty of opportunities to make friends this weekend!)

$1849 USD upfront or
$304 USD/mo for 7 months

option two

Shared Room

Looking for a roomie? Select a shared room and get your own queen-sized bed. You can put in a request for your roommate, meet one in Discord, or be matched up!

$1449 USD upfront or
$238 USD/mo for 7 months

THE IDEAL AUTUMN WEEKEND!

Here’s what makes this retreat location special:

  • Tucked away in the charming town of Kennebunkport, this venue combines New England charm with modern comforts.

  • Our hotel is within walking distance of downtown Kennebunkport and only a 25-min drive from Portland International Jetport (PWM)

  • Inclusive and welcoming, with ADA-compliant rooms to ensure a comfortable experience for every attendee.

  • We’ve secured the entire hotel just for us!

  • The hotel grounds offer numerous peaceful nooks and rooms, perfect for losing yourself in a book or relaxing amidst nature.

  • We prioritize your safety and well-being, and you can rest assured that you will be safe here—physically and emotionally.

Oh, and did I mention we’re doing a lobster bake?

Once you’re in, you’ll vote on your weekend book track!

For the weekend’s books, we’ll focus on recently published works. This way, we’ll all read the books together for the first time!

All attendees can vote on the weekend’s fiction, fantasy, mystery, or romance book, and then you’ll pick your genre book track for the weekend. Book options will prioritize women and BIPOC authors and LGBTQ+ storylines.

Based on your book track, you’ll be assigned to a group of people who also chose that book, and you’ll meet throughout the weekend to discuss your book.

It’s encouraged to read your book in full before the retreat starts for maximum discussion opportunities. And, rest assured, our book will be shipped to you before the weekend begins! Our past retreat books have included…

  • Honey by Isabel Banta

  • Learned by Heart by Emma Donoghue

  • A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

  • Hot Mess Summer by Melissa Foster

  • A True Account by Katherine Howe

  • What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez

  • Island Witch by Amanda Jayatissa

  • The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok

  • Say You'll Be Mine by Naina Kumar

  • A shot in the dark by victoria lee

  • The Fury by Alex Michaelides

  • Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle

At every Book Huddle retreat, the weekend is whatever you want to be. All activities are encouraged, but nothing is mandatory, so you can make this weekend exactly as you’d like it.

Looking for a tranquil space to lose yourself in a good book? Find your comfort. Keen on a calming walk to reflect and unwind? The paths are yours to wander. Want a friendly book discussion? Warm up with your new friends near the fire!

The itinerary will be shaped by the desires of attendees, but in the meantime, here’s what I have in mind:

    • Afternoon check-in, complete with a special welcome bag from us.

    • First meeting with your book huddle!

    • A delicious lobster bake, accommodating all dietary needs.

    • Night of reading at many of the venue’s nooks

    • Start the day with a filling breakfast.

    • Enjoy reading time in our private area, outfitted with comfortable seating.

    • Morning book huddle for further literary exploration.

    • Venture to town with the group for an offsite lunch

    • Afternoon relaxation time

    • Private book fair with curated titles by a local bookstore partner.

    • Enjoy dinner at the venue’s onsite restaurant

    • End the night playing games in the clubhouse or relaxing by the fire

    • Engage in a morning fall walk with the grop

    • A scrumptious brunch

    • A final meeting your book huddle, sharing final insights.

    • Enjoy the location until our retreat ends at 4pm.

01

COMFORTABLE LODGING

02

ADA-ACCESSIBLE ROOM OPTIONS

03

EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY USE

04

OFFSITE ACTIVITIES IN THE TOWN

05

AMPLE READING AREAS

06

RIVER VIEWS & NATURE

AN IDYLLIC GETAWAY FOR ALL READERS.

Books open doors to a world of diverse experiences and understanding. Looking back on our retreats, I'm touched by the enduring connections made and the remarkable compassion of our community. Ensuring an inclusive and secure environment is my top priority, promising a retreat where every guest feels embraced and secure.

  • "I felt so included."

    "You never know what kind of people you're going to meet at an event you found via TikTok...but I found my kind of people at Book Huddle. Lauren and Jake made us all feel so welcome, included, and gave us the means to make friends and connections with people all over the country. I was worried I was going to end up with a bunch of nerds, and I did - book nerds! My kind of nerds! Getting to interact with people who've read and loved the same books as you makes you feel seen.”

    Sam E. from Portland, WA

  • "I'm so glad I went."

    "I really enjoyed the retreat! I’m so glad I went and it was very enjoyable. Thank you for putting it together!! I will definitely be joining more retreats and wish I was going to New Mexico!"

    Natalie D. from New York, NY

  • "Everything I'd hoped for."

    "The Book Huddle retreat was everything I'd hoped for and more! Every detail was perfect, from the location to the types of activities to the food. It was clear that so much thoughtfulness was given to our happiness. It was such a joy to spend a weekend chatting and laughing with people who love reading as much as I do. My TBR list just grew exponentially! I can't wait to attend another retreat."

    Angela D. from Los Angeles, CA

  • "Thoughtful, well executed, and a joy to attend."

    "The Book Huddle retreat was thoughtful, well executed, and a joy to attend. I would highly recommend joining the next retreat to meet the sweetest group of people, while also knowing you are in good hands."

    Amanda M. from Wake Forest, NC

choose your ticket

The solo room ticket

  • Your own room with a king-sized bed and modern bathroom*

  • All meals, snacks, tea, and non-alcoholic beverages from Friday at 4pm through Sunday at 4pm

  • Private access to the entire venue, reserved just for our retreat

  • Your weekend book of choice mailed to you in advance of the retreat

  • Activities such as book discussions, lobster bake, s’mores, an off-site lunch, games night, and a private book fair.

  • A welcome gift bag with reader-friendly goodies

$1849 upfront. Payment plan sold out.

Pay in Full

The shared room ticket

  • A shared room with your own queen-sized bed and an en-suite modern bathroom*

  • All meals, snacks, tea, and non-alcoholic beverages from Friday at 4pm through Sunday at 4pm

  • Private access to the entire venue, reserved just for our retreat

  • Your weekend book of choice mailed to you in advance of the retreat

  • Activities such as book discussions, lobster bake, s’mores, an off-site lunch, games night, and a private book fair.

  • A welcome gift bag with reader-friendly goodies

Payment plan sold out.

*Note: All rooms are unique at Lodge on the Cove; this image reflects the typical room’s size and quality!

save the date for aN UNFORGETTABLE WEEKEND.

Organizing these reading retreats has been a dream come true. The demand for these events have been nothing short of mindblowing, and I am endlessly grateful for your interest. I want this to be a life-changing getaway that helps you relax, recharge, and make bookish friends.

Thanks so much, as always, for helping this come to life. I looking forward to meeting you!