Spending over $1,000 to 'read books with strangers'

Many people are spending around $1,000 to travel and read books with strangers, a trend that is booming in the US and the UK.

According to Bloomberg , in previous centuries, reading was a communal activity that fostered communication and discussion. However, today this habit has become more individualized. According to a survey on time usage, sponsored by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, only 16% of respondents maintain a daily reading habit.

This change stems in part from modern living conditions. The invention of electricity and widespread literacy have allowed people to read anywhere, no longer needing a shared space as before. According to Abigail Williams, a professor of English at King's College London (UK), focusing intently on a phone screen is now considered more normal than opening a book.

Participants in a reading holiday organized by the Silent Book Club in Costa Rica. Photo: Guinevere de la Mare

In this context, "reading retreats" offer a new experience. In February, Bloomberg writer Alice Robb participated in the "Rest + Read" program, costing £1,250 (nearly $1,700), in West Wales (UK). While there were many activities such as walking along the coast, journaling, and sauna use, the main focus revolved around reading. Participants could sit together, each reading a book in silence without needing to communicate.

This model is rapidly growing in the US and UK. Programs organized by groups like Ladies Who Lit and Page Break are often fully booked months in advance. Costs range from around $950 to over $4,000, depending on location and duration.

The surge in this activity is linked to the wave of book-related content on social media, especially BookTok – a community of book-loving users on TikTok. Additionally, online book clubs led by celebrities such as Dua Lipa, Emma Watson, and Reese Witherspoon have their own unique appeal. Nowadays, readers can participate in quiet "reading parties," along with international travel experiences inspired by the works of Daphne du Maurier, Sarah J. Maas, and J.K. Rowling. Experts believe these programs contribute to making reading a more communal experience.

A book tour organized by Page Break in the Catskill Mountains, New York (USA). Photo: Max Pittman/Page Break

The element of connection is what makes book holidays so appealing. The majority of participants are women, reflecting a trend toward feminization in the publishing and consumption of books, and also indicating that the programs are often positioned towards wellness. They participate in shared meals, book-themed games, or read aloud together. For many young people with busy lives, this is an alternative to traditional book clubs.

Some programs, like Page Break, use a lottery system to select participants due to high demand. For example, a trip to Joshua Tree, California, once received 50 applications for 15 spots. Other programs incorporate yoga, bookstore visits, or local sightseeing. Their common goal is to create a community of book lovers where participants can exchange ideas, suggest reading experiences, and share their reading habits. Mikey Friedman, founder of Page Break, stated, "The most important thing is that participants make at least one new friend."

Those participating in the book holiday hope to connect with like-minded individuals. Photo: Amber Rose Smith Photography

Author and publishing consultant Leigh Stein suggests that holidays help spread the idea that focused reading can be as relaxing as beauty treatments or massages. At one holiday in Wales, each participant received a gift bag containing scented candles, chocolates, a quiet space decorated with seashells, and bath salts.

Professor Leah Price, an English professor at Rutgers University (USA), believes the greatest value of the "reading retreat" model lies in creating time away from work and digital devices. Previously, work consumed reading time, but now short-form digital content dominates this habit. These retreats help participants escape their daily routines, limit screen time, and rediscover their focus. In a world dominated by technology, reading together is becoming a new necessity.

According to Bloomberg

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