Texas Reading Retreat

Pack Your Books—WE’RE GOING TO TEXAS, Y’ALL!

Join us for new books and friends at Book Huddle’s first-ever summer retreat in the enchanting Texas Hill Country! From June 21-23, 2024, at the beautiful Hillside Boutique Hotel, you'll find the ideal mix of rustic charm and luxury amenities for a perfect reading and relaxing experience. Every activity is optional, so you can make this weekend whatever you want it to be!

a reading retreat JUST OUTSIDE SAN ANTONIO, from JUN 21-23, 2024.

Prepare for an unforgettable retreat at our first-ever summertime Book Huddle retreat in the heart of Texas Hill Country. Taking place at the Hillside Boutique Hotel in Castroville, TX, this cherished destination is known for its picturesque setting and thoughtful amenities, making it the perfect backdrop for our June gathering.

Nestled on 13 acres of stunning landscapes, the hotel seamlessly blends the natural beauty of Texas with comfortable, high-end amenities. It's the quintessential spot for losing yourself in great books and meeting new friends, offering a peaceful retreat that combines the serene charm of the countryside with the convenience and comfort of thoughtful hospitality.

Get ready for a weekend brimming with relaxation, inspiration, and unparalleled reading experiences!

  • "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 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

  • "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

  • "I'M SO GLAD TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONNECT 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

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 renovated bathrooms.

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.

YOGA CLASS

Unwind in a relaxing outdoor yoga session, surrounded by the property's scenic beauty.

POOL TIME

Lounge in the summer sun at the pool, complete with cabanas and outdoor seats!

exclusive access

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

LAWN GAMES

Play fun games, like horseshoes, on the property’s expansive lawn.

TEXAN CUISINE

Enjoy delicious Texan food in the on-site bistro or eat under the covered deck area.

ALL MEALS

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

cash bar AVAILABILITY

Complement the fresh country 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

  • Ample Reading time

  • Texan Cuisine

  • Plenty of Pool Time!

  • Outdoor Yoga

  • Character-filled rooms

  • Upgraded Bathrooms

  • Book Discussions

  • Outdoor Reading Nooks

EACH ROOM IS A UNIQUE SANCTUARY OF COUNTRYSIDE LIVING.

With king and double queen options, every room at Hillside Boutique Hotel is meticulously crafted for a serene retreat. The rooms feature custom furniture, hand-woven rugs, and blankets, complemented by private balconies that afford stunning views of the Medina River Valley. Farmhouse-inspired touches like shiplap walls, elegant crown molding, and sliding barn doors add to the charm, while modern conveniences such as 4K Ultra Smart TVs, charging stations, complimentary internet, in-room security safes, mini-fridges, microwaves, and luxurious Malin & Goetz bath products ensure your stay is comfortable and connected. Whether you're looking to unwind at the edge of San Antonio or seeking a peaceful reading nook, our accommodations are designed to enhance your experience.

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 upfront or
$425/mo for 5 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 upfront or
$333/mo for 5 months

THE PERFECT SUMMER GETAWAY!

Here’s what makes this retreat location special:

  • Nestled in the heart of Texas Hill Country, just a short 30-minute drive from San Antonio Airport, this venue marries rustic elegance with contemporary amenities.

  • Spanning 13 acres, the Hillside Boutique Hotel boasts breathtaking views, private balconies for tranquil reading, and spaces ideal for leisurely exploration.

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

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

  • The hotel grounds offer numerous peaceful nooks, 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 there will be plenty of A/C pumping throughout the venue too!

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…

PAST RETREAT BOOKS

  • Learned by Heart by Emma Donoghue

  • Hot Mess Summer by Melissa Foster

  • A True Account by Katherine Howe

  • What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez

  • The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok

  • Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle

  • A shot in the dark by victoria lee

  • The Fury by Alex Michaelides

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.

Longing for leisurely poolside reading? Immerse yourself. Ready to stretch and relax with outdoor yoga? Unroll your mat. Dream of unwinding with a book on the deck, surrounded by scenic views? Find your perfect spot.

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 Tex-Mex buffet dinner, 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.

    • Enjoy lunch on the covered outdoor deck

    • Afternoon pool time

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

    • Enjoy a Texas BBQ dinner with a cash bar.

    • End the night with lawn games and hang-out time with your new friends

    • Engage in a morning outdoor yoga class, sparking inspiration in the serene setting.

    • A scrumptious brunch

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

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

01

Luxury bedding and bathrooms

02

ADA-ACCESSIBLE ROOM OPTIONS

03

MALIN + GOETZ BATH PRODUCTS

04

BALCONIES FOR EACH ROOM

05

AMPLE READING AREAS

06

RIVER AND HILL COUNTRY VIEWS

AN IDYLLIC ESCAPE 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.

  • "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

  • "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

  • "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

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, a private book fair, pool time, lawn games, and outdoor yoga class

  • A welcome gift bag with reader-friendly goodies

PAYMENT OPTIONS

$1,849 USD upfront. Payment plan is 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, a private book fair, pool time, lawn games, and outdoor yoga class

  • A welcome gift bag with reader-friendly goodies

  • Ticket is per person

PAYMENT OPTIONS

$1,449 USD upfront. Payment plan is sold out.

Pay in full

*Note: All rooms are unique at Hillside Boutique Hotel; this image reflects the typical room’s size and quality!

save the date for a memorable 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!