Browsers Bookshop’s 'Reading Retreat'
Originally published on The JOLT News on April 2, 2026
On Thursday morning, March 26, I checked my email to find exciting news: Browsers Bookshop will be hosting its first ever “Reading Retreat” in May. The more I read, the more I became enveloped in what felt like a quintessential cinematic plotline.
Browsers Bookshop invites you to join readers in the first week of May. The retreat is dedicated to “reading the weekend away on the Washington Coast with fellow readers at historic Tokeland Hotel, the oldest hotel in Washington State.”
The Tokeland Hotel was built in 1885 and continues to honor its heritage, and at the same time maintain high hospitality standards. The unique charm of the Tokeland Hotel will add whimsy and an additional layer of enchantment to the retreat.
Experience the magic of reading, community and Washington History, and be sure to get your ticket before the retreat sells out.
To learn more about this new adventure, I had the chance to speak with Browsers Bookshop owner Andrea Griffith, who co-created and will be co-hosting the retreat with Kelli Samson, co-host of the popular Browsers Cookbook Club.
About the retreat
Chatting with Griffith allowed me to see just how intentionally and beautifully the event was created.
“I think people are hungry for in-person events, and this combines reading, a very solo activity, in a very cool place,” Griffith said. “Kelli and I have done cookbook club for almost 10 years, and we find that there is great power in sitting around a table, eating and enjoying discussion together.”
The sort of schedule for this event is very clever in the way it accommodates all personality types. People can choose to engage with the activities with others as much as they want, or they can stay in their rooms, and then come down for dinner.
“I’m a complete introvert,” Griffith added. “I understand how people might want time to recharge, and I might read for part of the day in my room too.”
Here are some activities retreat attendees can choose to join:
Group dinners at The Wandering Goose (the Tokeland Hotel’s restaurant) with book club discussion
Letter writing table
Puzzle table
Wood-fired hot tub and cold plunge
Group walk or recommendations for a solo walk
Mostly, read all day in the lobby, in your room, or outside if the weather allows.
These activities combined with the picturesque scenery makes for an ideal getaway. Each retreat attendee will receive the following:
An exclusive Browsers Reading Retreat tote bag
The Book Club book
Other “Readerly Delights”
Friday welcome party sips and snacks
Two nights at the Tokeland Hotel
Coffee service in the morning
Access to the optional Saturday afternoon activities
The book club book is being kept under wraps from the general public until after the retreat. Around 130 pages, the book will be a short but delightful read with no homework assigned before, during or after the retreat.
Attendees will receive and read the book prior to the retreat so that they can enjoy the book club discussion during dinnertime.
All of this is in the spirit of wanting to create something of special value for all retreat attendees. To me, this is reminiscent of the “mystery date with a book” concept.
During our conversation, Griffith shared a wonderful story and sentiment with me.
“I have owned the bookstore for almost 12 years now, and so many people have told me that they have made very good friends from attending one of our events (like cookbook club) or meandering the bookstore," Griffith said.
"I have seen people exchange phone numbers, and then I’ve seen people meet at Owl’s Nest across the street from the bookstore. Incredible things will just happen organically and naturally as people open themselves up to it.”
The retreat sounds like the perfect chef’s kiss to all the amazing opportunities Browser Bookshop has created over the years. I would hate for you to miss out on this.
Other opportunities
Unable to make the retreat? I invite you to subscribe to the Browsers Bookshop newsletter to learn about opportunities as they arise.
Speaking of newsletter content, there is exciting news on the horizon: The Nearly Silent Writing Club host, Star Wuerdemann, will be opening “Oly Pages” writing studio and center launching this fall. Stay tuned to this column for future articles surrounding this new adventure.
Regular events held at Browsers Bookshop include but are not limited to:
Cookbook Club
Nearly Silent Writing Club
Local and traveling author talks
Browsers Storytime
Browsers Book Club
Explore the Browsers Event calendar for more details.
https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/browsers-bookshops-reading-retreat,28691