Trip Journal: Hawaii Reading Retreat 2026
"I came back from this retreat so fulfilled! It was a dream to be able to meet other readers and talk about books for days in paradise." — Brianna A.
Nine women. Dozens of books. Eighty degrees. Endless fun. Zero regrets.
Hi! I’m Kate, the new Community Manager for SBC. When co-founder Guinevere invited me to be a guest on this retreat just a few weeks into my position, I knew I was about to have the time of my life. I just didn’t realize how much of a salve for the soul it would be. Here’s my unfiltered and unfettered experience.
I’ll admit that I’ve long fantasized about attending a reading retreat. The idea of spending days in far-off places, splitting my time between giving my brain a much-needed break and my TBR a much-needed workout seemed like pure bliss. And to do so amongst other introverted and like-minded readers? Say less.
It seemed like a dream—but maybe one not meant for me. The excuses always came fast and furious. Busy work schedules, monthly bills, adult responsibilities, I-won’t-even-know-anyone worries. Always a reason why not.
Until I was given an excellent reason why.
In her novel The Astral Library, Kate Quinn introduces us to a fantastical library rife with bookish quirks, including the ghosts of readers who met their maker before finishing their to-be-read piles—and are now doomed to spend eternity catching up. We can giggle at the familiar trope of our bookish ambitions outliving us, so much so that it’s practically become reader canon. The moral of this tongue-in-cheek storyline?
Life is short. Book the trip.
And so I invite you to come along with me on what ended up being one of my best adventures yet—Silent Book Club’s incomparable Hawai’i Reading Retreat.
Pictured: Former strangers, newfound friends. We’ve all kept a low-key group chat going since our trip—and now we have book buddies all over the country! PS. I’m taking the photo ;)
DAY ONE - Arrival, Welcome Happy Hour & Dinner & Swimming Under the Stars
Upon arrival in Honolulu, I met up with another retreat attendee, Rachel, to split an Uber to our hotel. I was introduced to Rachel during our pre-trip Meet & Greet video chat that our fabulous Retreat Host (and SBC Co-founder) Guinevere set up. Fifteen minutes into my vacation, I was already swapping book recommendations with a fellow introvert who felt like an old friend.
I soon discovered that heaven really is a place on earth, and it’s called the Wayfinder Waikiki. This four-star luxury resort would be our accommodations for the duration of the retreat. I checked in and decompressed on my private balcony, taking in the sweet Hawaiian breeze and a view of the canal. No rush, no agenda—just comfortable alone time in paradise.
Pictured: The view from one of my TWO balconies at the Wayfinder; my new home-away-from-home, and the stellar hotel restaurant. Still dreaming about the poke!
I then headed down to the pool to meet my fellow travelers, enjoy a welcome drink, and read by the water. It was immediately apparent that we attendees all had the same desire in mind—chat, mingle, and read without guilt. Jackpot!
My love language? Friends who read quietly next to each other.
Before long, I found myself at our Welcome Happy Hour & Dinner, led by Guinevere, who gifted us with welcome bags of goodies and excellent conversation. Plates were passed, belly laughs were had, books were swapped, and suddenly three hours had flown by in a blip.
Pictured: All-around awesome person, expert trip planner/host, & Silent Book Club Co-Founder, Guinevere. We all agreed we want to be her when we grow up. Oh, and she knows Oprah!
Some attendees retreated to their beds to ward off the impending jet lag, but a few of us took to the Waikiki streets in search of the beach. We closed out the night frolicking and giggling in the Pacific Ocean like school girls, taking in the sights and starry skies. Day One of my adventure was officially in the books (terrible pun intended)!
Pictured: The spoils of our Battle Royale book swap at the Welcome Dinner; a few silly gals who jumped in the ocean at 10 pm.
DAY TWO - Pool Time, Lei Making, A Bookstore Crawl, and an SBC Meetup
The bonus of westward jet lag is waking up with the sun, and I spent a lazy morning reading in bed before heading down to enjoy my complimentary breakfast (did I mention just about every meal was included?).
One relaxing dip in the pool later, it was time for our Lei Making workshop with Eco Mindful Lei. It was immediately apparent that every activity and excursion on this trip would be extremely organized, well-planned, and just plain fun. We all loved chatting about books and crafting gorgeous works of floral art that lasted our entire stay.
Pictured: Eco Mindful Lei owner Gina taught us so much about traditional lei making.
We then headed to Honolulu’s Chinatown for a Bookstore & Curiosities Crawl, including adorable boutiques, quirky antique stores, and, of course, books! After an afternoon of shopping, we rewarded ourselves with some epic tiki drinks at the legendary Skull & Crown Tiki Bar. Members of Silent Book Club Honolulu joined us for a meetup, and it was such a lovely experience to read with other SBC members despite being 6,000+ miles away from home.
I ordered the most over-the-top drink on the menu (spoiler: it was lit on fire), and snuggled into bed that night with the fullest heart, the sounds of Waikiki lulling me to sleep.
Pictured: Three members of Silent Book Club Honolulu who joined us for our crawl; apps, books, and drinks at Skull & Crown Trading Co.
DAY THREE - Audiobook Walk, Beach Time, Whale Watching, a Cocoa Farm, Massages, a Mahjong Lesson, Dinner & Hula Dancers at a Waterfront Restaurant, and a Mai Tai Bar!
After another relaxing morning of reading alongside the rising sun, I donned my bathing suit and headphones for our audiobook walk through downtown Waikiki. Guinevere led us to a quiet spot on the beach where we were ceremoniously greeted by a tent, snacks, and snorkeling gear all set up for us. A few of the gals and I tested our snorkeling prowess while spotting coral reefs, puffers, angel fish, and even eels in the crystalline waters.
Pictured: Retreat attendee Patty catches us in our element—with audiobooks in our ears; snorkelers in the wild.
After more beach reading, we split into three groups—Bri, Patty, and I went whale watching on a beautiful yacht out on the Pacific; Guinevere, Deja, and Kristen traveled to a cocoa farm and sampled local-grown chocolate, and Rachel, Kat, and Teresa enjoyed relaxing massages. Each excursion was so unique and perfectly tailored to ensure everyone experienced something they loved. Bravo, Guinevere!
Pictured: My view of Diamond Head from our whale watching excursion; Kristen and Deja wander the Kamananui Cocoa Farm.
The next item on the agenda was a big crowd pleaser—a Mahjong lesson with Hale Mahj! One hour in, we found ourselves positively obsessed with Craks, Bams, and Dragons. Instructor Wyatt may just have created a few new Mahjong monsters. ;)
Pictured: Instructor Wyatt and their adoring fans; a few new Mahjong sharks in game mode.
It was perhaps later at our final dinner that I looked around the table at my new friends, breathed in the salty air from the ocean mere steps from us, and listened to the soothing, live hula music at the restaurant that I took a moment to thank myself for saying yes.
Here I was, surrounded by love, beauty, and wonderful people, and it all felt like a dream.
Hi, I’m never leaving.
A few of us opted to explore the legendary Royal Hawaiian Hotel nearby before visiting the beach bar, sipping cocktails and sharing our life’s journeys. How had I truly only met these fellow travelers three days ago?
My book (and the mai tais, let’s be real) lulled me into my last sleep in Waikiki.
DAY FOUR - Pool Time, Pro Photos, Sampling Musubi, and Goodbyes
When I wandered down into the hotel restaurant for breakfast, I was enthusiastically greeted by my new book buddies who invited me to join them. We reminisced about our favorite moments, theorized about the next retreat, and promised we’d all text when we safely returned home.
Before my flight, I flexed my pro photographer muscles poolside on my gorgeous new model pals, then Guinevere took us on a walk downtown to try a Hawaiian staple—spam musubi. Our meals were consistently phenomenal for the duration of the trip, but my eel & egg musubi will go down as one of the best bites I’ve ever eaten. It haunts me that 6,000 miles divides me from my newfound love. I wonder if the musubi is still thinking about me.
Pictured: Gorgeous, gorgeous girls!!!
Pictured: The eel & egg spam musubi I would leave my husband for.
After one last poke, I bid my fellow travelers Aloha and thanked Guinevere for providing me with rest and joy I didn’t know I needed. Mahalo, Guinevere, for creating such a welcoming space for us solo female travelers. The world is our oyster now that SBC Retreats exist.. :)
BUT DON’T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT…
"Above and beyond! This trip filled my bookish heart! The setting was ideal, the people were smart and interesting, and I left feeling relaxed and energized to read more!" — Rachel M.
"If you are considering this reading retreat…. Do it! Book now! You will love the experience! The new friends you will meet, the activities, the food all exceptional! Thank you so much Guinevere and Kate! Appreciate you!" — Kristen K.
"This trip was sooo well organized, and every aspect of the day was planned perfectly! I haven't been on a trip where there were no worries, in a long time!" — Déjà
"I had a great time. I loved everything on the itinerary, and appreciated Guinevere taking us around her island. Good memories!" — Patty L.
Our Iceland Reading Retreat (November 8-14, 2026) is currently booking here.