Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before you show up and get lost in your story.

THE BASICS

  • No — and that's kind of the point. There's no assigned title, no discussion questions, and no obligation to have an opinion ready. Bring whatever you're currently obsessed with, whether that's a thriller, a slow-burn romance, or a memoir you've been chipping away at for months. You read at your own pace, in your own way.

  • A silent book club is typically free, casual, and run by volunteers in whatever space is available. What we offer is a curated, hosted experience — a beautiful setting, a thoughtfully chosen menu, and details taken care of so you don't have to lift a finger. Think of it as the difference between meeting up with friends versus being treated to a night out. You're not just paying for reading time; you're paying for the room, the ambiance, and the ease of having it all handled for you.

  • Your ticket covers the setting, hosting, and food or beverage for that event, including gratuity and tax—a Tasting typically runs $35–$55, depending on the venue and menu offered. We keep margins minimal by design; this is about creating an experience worth showing up for, not about profiting off your reading time.

  • Short version: you show up, we set the scene, you read. Longer version depends on the format — a Tasting is an hour or two with a wine flight and quiet reading time; an Overnight adds a shared meal, a place to sleep, and extras like live music or a book swap; an Escape stretches all of that into a few days somewhere beautiful. Every format shares the same core of real, uninterrupted reading time — we just handle the setting, the snacks, and the ambiance.

  • Yes — bring whatever you're currently reading or excited to start. There's no required title and no genre restrictions. Physical book, e-reader, audiobook with headphones — whatever gets you into your story works.

  • There's no pressure to finish anything, and no pace requirement. Read a page or read a hundred. This is about the experience of shared quiet time, not a reading race.

WHO IT'S FOR

  • Not at all — plenty of our members come solo, and it's genuinely one of the best ways to experience it. You can also bring a friend, a partner, or a small group. Everyone's welcome to read something completely different and still enjoy the same room together.

  • It's less "introvert only" and more "anyone who wants a night out that isn't loud." The reading portions are quiet by design, but there's usually a warm-up window — getting a drink, settling in — where a little conversation is normal. Think library hush, not silent retreat.

  • Come as you are — comfortable and yourself. Most members dress like they would for a relaxed dinner out. If a specific retreat has a theme or dress suggestion (say, an Overnight with live music), we'll spell it out in the event details.

FORMATS & BOOKING

    • The Tasting — At least an hour (maybe two), a wine flight, tea, or coffee, and quiet reading time. The lowest-lift way to try us out.

    • The Dinner — A few hours in the evening built around a shared, intimate meal plus quiet reading time.

    • The Overnight — The full local experience: an overnight stay, meals (dinner and breakfast), quiet reading time, and extras like live music, a book swap, or an author appearance.

    • The Escape — 2 to 3 days at a luxury destination property, with curated meals, downtime, and plenty of room to make a dent in your TBR.

  • Check our Events page for anything currently open, or join our email list — that's where you'll hear first, before things go public.

  • Our retreats are intentionally small, so spots move quickly — especially for Overnights and Escapes. We'd recommend booking as soon as a date works for your schedule.

  • It's open to anyone who enjoys reading and appreciates a more elevated vibe. Events built around alcohol require guests to be 21 or older; all other events are open to guests 18 and older.

  • It varies by format, but generally, it includes your seat, the reading environment, and the food/beverage described for that specific retreat (a wine flight, a shared meal, breakfast, etc.). Anything beyond that — like additional food or beverages or buying a bottle to take home — will always be optional and called out separately.

  • All ticket sales are final and non-refundable.

    ​Transfers to a friend are welcome — just email us at hello@readandretreatsociety.com with the new guest's name before the event starts.

    ​If we need to cancel or reschedule an event, all guests will receive a full refund, including the processing fee.

LOGISTICS

  • We're starting in Seattle, with partner venues chosen for exactly the kind of warm, lived-in space this experience calls for — think wood, wool, and lamplight rather than a sterile event hall. Escapes take place at destination properties outside the city. Exact locations are shared with your ticket confirmation.

  • Not at all. Some Tastings are based around tea or coffee, or some may be served alongside wine. We're happy to accommodate as best we can with venues — just let us know when you book.

  • Yes, food is part of most formats (see above for what's included in each). Let us know about any dietary restrictions when you book, and we'll do our best to accommodate.

  • All ticket sales are final and non-refundable.

    ​Transfers to a friend are welcome — just email us at hello@readandretreatsociety.com with the new guest's name before the event starts.

    ​If we need to cancel or reschedule an event, all guests will receive a full refund, including the processing fee.

EXPANSION & COMMUNITY

  • For now, yes — but we're expanding soon. Join the email list to be the first to know when we land in a new city.

  • Join our email list at the bottom of the homepage, or follow along on Instagram. We don't sell or share your info — no plot twists here, just the occasional good reason to open our emails.

  • Yes! We'd love to hear from you — send us an email with your proposal at hello@readandretreatsociety.com and let's talk.

  • We'd love to help — reach out anytime at hello@readandretreatsociety.com.