Surely, a holiday is nothing without a riveting book in hand? As well as giving us space to read with abandon, travel is also driving our passion for the written world with a whole new tier of ‘travel x literary’ experiences. Here, are three of the best ‘meet the author’ experiences to seek out, all while you are on holiday.
Found on the Delaware River in New Hope, Pennsylvania, River House at Odette’s is a luxury, boutique hotel which merges urban-inspired design with reclaimed architectural features. Launching this autumn, it is hosting an author series (from October 2022 – March 2023) which not only showcases a variety of published writers, but also delves into the property’s history through literature.
Meet a best-selling author at River House at Odette’s.
Taking place each month, celebrated fiction and non-fiction writers, including multiple New York Times’ best-selling authors, will descend upon the property to host book signings, ‘meet and greets’ and to give private readings during their stay at the historic hotel.
A curated reading list will be provided for guests, and locals alike, so they can dive into the literary works prior to each event, with many stories selected inspired by the site’s historic past as Chez Odette, a boisterous cabaret in the 1960s, founded by French-American actress, Odette Myrtil.
Be inspired with evocative literary events at River House at Odette’s.
Confirmed authors include Julian Sancton, Jean Hanff Korelitz, Hank Phillipi Ryan and Julie Carrick Dalton. Kicking off the series on 26 October 2022, with a book signing event, is Jason Rekulak, author of Hidden Pictures and The Impossible Fortresswhich was translated into 12 languages and was nominated for the Edgar Award. What’s more, River House is partnering with Doylestown Bookshop to assist with book sales for the series.
Miraval Arizona.
Meanwhile, taking place across three Miraval wellness resorts – in Arizona, Austin and in the Berkshires – is the brand’s What We Are Reading series.
Each of the resorts will feature writers and books that inspire us all to live our best, most mindful lives with ‘meet & greets’ with writers, book signings and author-led workshops in intimate group settings.
Live your best life at Miraval Austin.
Miraval Austin Wellness Resort & Spa kicks off the series next month (19-20 September) with What We’re Reading with Diana Raab, MFA, Ph.D.
Diana Raab, a noted memoirist, poet and the best-selling author of Writing for Blisswill host a workshop to inspire guests to begin the journey of writing a memoir. The aim is to provide the tools and techniques to empower and support guests to give a voice to their feelings as a path to healing and transformation. The event aims to explore how writing can be a powerful spiritual practice.
Learn how to be the best you can be at Miraval Arizona.
In November, meanwhile, Miraval Arizona Resort & Spain Tucson, will host What We’re Reading with Terri Cole.
The relationship expert and author of Boundary Boss will host a workshop to help guests navigate the festive season – helping all to ‘thrive’ instead of simply ‘survive’ the holidays. The event will help with setting personal boundaries and confidence-building to express what works best for you.
The Reeds at Shelter Haven is also host of a renowned book club.
Encouraging everyone to pick up a book, meanwhile, is luxury resort The Reeds at Shelter Havenlocated in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. The resort is renowned for its upscale dining and cheerful beachside vibe and has also garnered a reputation for its on-site book club. It is curated by Stone Harbor local and book club expert Jennifer Genesmer, to provide the ultimate in year-round reading for guests and locals alike.
Dip into a new page-turner at Reeds at Shelter Haven.
The book club was devised by Jennifer, who has been involved with book clubs for over 25 years, to bring together guests and the local community through literature. She has led the club for the past 10 years, bringing best-selling authors to Stone Harbor for a variety of inspiring reader events. The Reeds’ summer reading list for this year included The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hildebrand, The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley, Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson, with the Autumn list to be released soon.
Finally, with Avalon Waterways’ Storyteller Seriestravellers can meet famous raconteurs in legendary landscapes. The European river cruise specialist offers hosted cruises with celebrity writers, with past trips having included ‘Sail the Storied Seine River’ with Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and The City and ‘Wild and Whimsy on the Water’, along the Danube, with Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild.
Upcoming for next month is ‘Run away to the Danube River’, an eight day cruise from Budapest to Deggendorf, with Gillian Glynn, author of Gone Girl and Sharp Objects. Travellers can hear more about her twisted narratives, as you wind your way past craggy cliffs, terraced vineyards and culture-rich villages from Budapest to Vienna and beyond.
