Bringing bookish people together. In real life and online.
Self-care isnβt just doing yoga, drinking healthy smoothies or journaling.
Sometimes, itβs about making time for yourself to get stuck into a book, surrounded by people just like you.
AS SEEN IN
A reading retreat is a getaway for book lovers, like you and me.
Weβre all juggling a million things and secretly wishing we had more time to read instead ofβ¦ folding laundry.
A reading retreat is an escape from all that: A weekend to slow down in a stunning setting, chat about your favourite reads with fellow book nerds, and indulge in authentic Italian foodβright here in New Zealand.
For a whole weekend, there are no obligations and you can keep yourself busy with books (see what I did there? π) .
What is a reading retreat?
Most people pack their holidays full of sightseeing, activities, and alarms.
Us readers? Weβre dreaming of slow mornings, long chapters, belly-laugh conversations with fellow book lovers, and food so good it deserves a paragraph of its own.
Take a peek inside our last retreat!
Upcoming retreats
MARTINBOROUGH
FEB 20-22, 2026
MORE INFO COMING SOON
When most of your life revolves around looking after others, let us look after you.
Hi, Iβm Hanna!
Originally from the north of Italy, I now live on the beautiful KΔpiti Coast of New Zealand.
Busy With Books was born out of a simple idea: what if reading could be the centrepiece of connection, self-care, and joy?
Through in-person reading retreats and a cosy online book club, Iβm creating spaces where book lovers can slow down, switch off, and finally read without interruption - or guilt.
And because I grew up in an Italian family where food was love, youβll always find a good meal (or a delicious recipe) as part of the experience β€οΈ
What our guests are saying:
When was the last time you did something just because it made you feel good?
Not because it was productive. Not because it ticked a box.
But simply because you wanted to curl up with a book, dream of fictional crushes, and feel completely at ease in your own skin?
βIL DOLCE FAR NIENTEβ
[/ΛdΙltΚeΙͺ ΛfΙΛ nΙͺΛΙnteΙͺ/]
(Italian saying & life philosophy). Literally translated: βthe sweetness of doing nothingβ.
An opportunity to absentmindedly exist without the need to do anything because your time is your own and you deserve control over it.
FAQs
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You're free to read WHATEVER books you want, we don't discriminate.
While I don't dictate which books you read, I will be bringing along some of my favourites in case you don't want to decide or run out of books to read.
We'll also have our own little book fair, so bring any old books you want to swap with others!
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No, you will need to make your own travel arrangements. Wellington airport is a 1.5h drive from our accommodation and offers flights from all over New Zealand.
We'll also have plenty of parking available if you choose to travel by car.
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Nope, and that's fully on purpose. This is a time (and space) for you to do whatever you want. If that means staying in your room in your PJs all day, go for it!
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While I do my best to accommodate dietary needs, I canβt guarantee an allergen-free environment, as the kitchen isnβt exclusively under my control. I am not able to cater for a gluten-free diet at this stage.
If you have specific dietary requirements, please email me at hello@busywithbooks.com before booking. -
Not much, really!
Comfy clothes, books (obviously), maybe a water bottle to stay hydrated? The rest will be provided by me, including main meals, snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, linen, and towels.
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Absolutely not.
This is a weekend for you to relax and unwind without distractions: no stopping to prepare meals, cleaning up after other people or taking care of other everyday chores.
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This retreat is designed for women and anyone who identifies as female or non-binary. We welcome LGBTQ+ guests and aim to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive space for everyone.
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We welcome all book lovers aged 18 and above.
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This retreat is a solo adventure! We donβt allow couples because we want to create a relaxed, social space where you can fully unwind, meet fellow book lovers, and maybe even make a new bookish bestie. Itβs a weekend just for you!
Canβt come to a retreat?
Join our online book club instead!
Each month, we meet on Zoom for a fun, relaxed book discussion, and you get access to a private Slack community where the bookish chat never stops.
Oh, and because books and food just belong together, you also get a curated Italian recipe each month to pair with your read - easy, delicious, no weird speciality ingredients required.
LETβS TALK BOOKS OVER ON INSTA!
