I Spent a Weekend at the Grownup Bookworm Summer Camp in Vermont with Riley Sager, Sarah Strohmeyer, and 35 readers!
Picture this – Dozens of cozy cabins scattered through the misty green mountains of Vermont. It’s drizzling, adding a cozy, quiet effect to the property. Readers are arriving from around the country, picking up their book bundles and heading to their cabins. I’ve already cracked open my first book of the weekend and have seven more to choose from at my side. I haven’t even met Riley Sager yet, and I’m already having the best weekend of my life.
Friday Evening at the Vermont Reading Retreat
After we all checked in, collected our book bundles, and found our cabins; we met up at the Mansfield House. Canapés were served, the campfire was lit, and conversation bubbled. I was amazed at how quickly everyone got to know each other, easy conversations flowing about books and travel and the young calves who grazed just outside the window.
After we met the other readers, our hosts talked us through the program. We knew what to expect from our author events, trivia the next evening, got dinner recommendations, and prepared for a weekend of literary bliss. As the night wound down, many of us snuck a few more pages in before returning to our cabins and tucking in for a cozy night of sleep, the rain pattering against our windows.
Saturday Morning at Sterling Ridge Resort
Saturday was Riley Sager day. I woke up, took a peek out my window to watch the cows, and then made myself a cup of coffee. Some of the other guests who were sharing the farmhouse with me had brought coffee creamer for everyone to share. Sterling Ridge had some, of course, but it was sweet to feel the group getting to know one another in such a simple, domestic way.
I took my coffee onto the porch, opened my book, and was truly in awe of my day. The views of Mount Mansfield were spectacular and the daffodils were freshly blooming. I could see other readers in the distance, reading their own books on their own porches. It was one of those “pinch me” moments where I just felt an overwhelming sense of peace and joy.
Some explored Vermont, others booked appointments at the Sterling Ridge Spa, many wandered the grounds, and other took advance of the pond to paddle around in the morning mist.
Lunch With New York Times Bestselling Author Riley Sager
The caterers bustled in the kitchen and before we knew it, everyone had gathered and lunch was served. As we enjoyed soups and delicious desserts, I found myself on the couch with Riley Sager. Chatting about Taylor Swift, Madonna, and even checking the tag of his sweater, I couldn’t believe how casual the whole thing felt. Author events with someone of his caliber usually look more like a graduation speaker, all of us in chairs while he speaks from a stage.
When it was time, he took his seat at the edge of our shared living room and dove in. We all volleyed questions and comments, learning more about the origins of his pen name, the inspiration behind his most beloved characters, and which horror movies he loved. We heard about his next projects, his writing style, and the tough love his agent had given that saved his writing career.
Little did we know, Riley Sager had a surprise for all of us. After holding up a single advanced copy of his not-yet-released book, With A Vengeance, he asked the big questions, “Who wants it?” As hands raised and excited gasps echoed around the room, he directed our attention to the other side of the room where an entire box of advanced copies was waiting for us. Literal cheers erupted. Then, it was time for a group photo and book signing. What an absolute blast!
Bookworm Trivia at the Vermont Reading Retreat
We wrapped up our night with a bit of bookworm trivia, hosted by Bridgeside Books. Splitting up into teams, we solved riddles, matched 1 star reviews to beloved classics, guessed the book based on a partially blacked-out cover, and even faced down a tie-breaker. The winning teams got to select even more Advanced Reader copies!
Author Brunch at Sterling Ridge Resort
For our final morning, we all gathered once again in our farmhouse for a catered breakfast and coffee. We talked books, looked out at the cows some more, and got ready for our next author chat, this time with Vermont-author Sarah Strohmeyer. When it was Sarah’s turn, she told us hilarious story after hilarious story. From her days as journalist to the mix-up that landed her on a TSA watch-list, she had the whole room laughing.
She also brought along some advanced copies of her next book, A Mother Always Knows. With a cultish theme and a murder mystery set in Vermont, it was the perfect fit for our summer-camp experience.
After a final book swap where we all got to pick and choose from each other’s pre-read books, it was time to say goodbye.
My Experience at the Vermont Bookworm Summer Camp
It truly was a book-lover’s dream to attend the Sterling Ridge reading retreat. Attending alone, I made friends, saw familiar faces, and devoured book after book. The regular stresses of life melted away and it was nothing but books and relaxation. Taking a pretty solitary activity like reading and sprinkling in just enough socialization made it the weekend of my dreams.
This won’t be my last Sterling Ridge Reading Retreat! New authors come every Spring and Fall for the experience I described above. But if it doesn’t fit with my plans, I know those cozy cabins are waiting for me all year long. There’s nothing stopping me from grabbing a pile of books, booking a cabin, and heading to the mountains of Vermont for a weekend of peace, quiet, and reading.
To learn more about Upcoming Reading Retreats at Sterling Ridge Resort, visit their Reading Retreat Page and sign up for the dedicated email newsletter.
