Books by the Sea Weekend Retreat
A Reading Retreat on Cape Cod
Escape to Cape Cod September 18th - 20th, 2026 for a weekend where great stories meet ocean breezes. Books by the Sea is a unique reading retreat that invites you to slow down, reconnect, and savor the simple pleasures of September on the Cape with beachside reading, thoughtful conversations, delicious dining, and time to unwind at Blue Water Resort. Whether you’re soaking up the last days of summer by the pool, finding the perfect spot on the beach with a good book, or enjoying an intimate dinner and Q&A panel with featured authors, it’s a weekend designed to inspire, recharge, and celebrate the joy of getting lost in a great story.
Book by August 13, 2026 and save up to 15% off your room.
September 18 - 20, 2026
Featured Authors
Hannah Selinger
During the weekend, guests will enjoy an intimate conversation with Hannah, followed by an audience Q&A, book signing, and opportunities to connect throughout the event.
Hannah Selinger is a James Beard Award-nominated lifestyle writer and mother of two based in Boxford, MA, and the author of the memoir Cellar Rat: My Life in the Restaurant Underbelly. Her print and digital work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, the Boston Globe, the Washington Post, Eater, Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and elsewhere. Her 2021 Bon Appétit essay, “In My Childhood Kitchen, I Learned Both Fear and Love,” is anthologized in the 2022 Best American Food Writing collection.
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Featured Authors
Jeanette Settembre
Jeanette Settembre covers culture, entertainment, celebrity news, lifestyle and food for The New York Post and Page Six. Her work has been published in The Wall Street Journal, WSJ Magazine, Architectural Digest and MarketWatch among many other publications. Throughout her career, Jeanette has brokered exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in Hollywood and business. Jeanette started her journalism career at The New York Daily News, where she worked as a features reporter, food columnist and entertainment editor. She graduated from Manhattan College. Little Red Flags is her debut novel.
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Featured Authors
Meg Mitchell Moore
Meg Mitchell Moore began writing as soon as she figured out how the cursive 'T' and 'F' were different and hasn’t stopped since. She worked for many years as a copyeditor, editor, and writer for a variety of nonfiction publications before turning to fiction, publishing her first novel in 2011. She has since published eight more novels, all but one set in New England. (The Admissions is set in Northern California., where her family moved for exactly one year before returning to the east coast.) Among her novels are national bestsellers, Indie Next picks, and a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers pick. She has a B.A. in English from Providence College and a master’s degree in English Literature from New York University. She lives in the beautiful coastal town of Newburyport, Massachusetts (home of the amazing Newburyport Literary Festival, for which she is a member of the steering committee). Her busy household includes one husband, a rotating cast of three teen and young adult daughters, and two exuberantly shedding golden retrievers.
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Featured Books
Valley of the Moms
STEPFORD WIVES meets BIG LITTLE LIES in this twisty thriller that uncovers the untruths, petty grievances, and local school politics underneath a seemingly quaint small town.
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Little Red Flags
Sex. Crime. Obsession. Free fall. A thrilling summer romance in the Hamptons takes a harrowing turn when an New York City food writer lets chemistry eclipse her judgment.
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Down with the Shipmans
A delicious summer read that explores the enduring power of family and sister connections, Down with the Shipmans is a humorous, heartfelt reminder that home is not a place, but the people who love you, no matter how imperfectly.
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What people are saying
Little Red Flags
“An urgently told story of a woman’s hope and self-deception in the midst of a destructive relationship. Jeanette Settembre writes about the blissful yet agonizing experience of first love with startling sensitivity and keen observation.”Hanna Halperin, author of I Could Live Here Forever
Valley of the Moms
““[An] engrossing suburban thriller…Selinger uses dueling timelines to brilliant effect. How Anna’s battle with her neighborhood parents’ group and Denny navigating the aftermath of her death are tethered doesn’t fully compute until a staggering third-act reveal that had our jaw dropping. ”Apple Books 2
Down with the Shipmans
“Meg Mitchell Moore is my own go-to for beach reading, and Down With the Shipmans is a pure delight. It’s a family drama with three sisters, some very charismatic dogs, and a glorious setting. I promise you will LOVE this—and all of Meg’s other books as well.” —Elin Hilderbrand “Moore is a dependable ingredient in any summer reading soufflé. Her airy novels accomplish what they came to do: entertain and transport. The stakes are high, the drama is juicy and the views are sublime.”The New York Times
Little Red Flags
“In Little Red Flags, Jeanette Settembre offers a heartfelt exploration of what it means to fall deeply in love with a deeply flawed man and lose yourself in the process. It will leave readers asking themselves what they would do every step of the way.”Jill Santopolo, author of The Light We Lost and The Love We Found
Valley of the Moms
““[An] engrossing suburban thriller…Selinger uses dueling timelines to brilliant effect. How Anna’s battle with her neighborhood parents’ group and Denny navigating the aftermath of her death are tethered doesn’t fully compute until a staggering third-act reveal that had our jaw dropping. The deceit baked into the couple’s picturesque surroundings becomes more pronounced as the story unfolds. Valley of the Moms holds no illusions about how middle-class suburbia really works―and that makes it indelibly unsettling.””Apple Books
Little Red Flags
“An emotionally gripping debut about love, sacrifice and finding the strength to choose yourself. Jeanette Settembre writes with a terrific sense of tension and suspense.”Jo Piazza, author of Everyone Is Lying To You
Choose Your Reading Retreat
The Hardcover Experience:
Make the most of your Books by the Sea weekend with our complete retreat package. Enjoy two nights at Blue Water Resort, breakfast each morning, dinner on both evenings, a curated welcome gift, and exclusive access to an intimate dinner and Q&A with featured author Hannah Selinger.
Perfect for: Guests who love an all-inclusive feel, with more time to relax and less time planning the details.
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The Paperback Experience
Enjoy the signature moments of Books by the Sea with two nights at Blue Water Resort, a curated welcome gift, and access to the exclusive dinner and author Q&A. Spend the rest of your weekend exploring Cape Cod, relaxing by the beach, or getting lost in a great book at your own pace.
Perfect for: Guests who want a little more flexibility during their stay.
Book NowYour Books by the Sea Weekend
Slow down, settle in, and enjoy a thoughtfully curated weekend of great books, meaningful conversations, delicious dining, and coastal relaxation. From beachside reading to exclusive author events, every moment is designed to help you unwind, reconnect, and celebrate the joy of reading.
A Weekend Designed for Book Lovers
Whether you’re planning a girls’ getaway, travelling with your book club, or simply looking for a peaceful weekend to yourself, Books by the Sea offers the perfect balance of relaxation and inspiration. Spend your days reading by the beach, discovering Cape Cod, and connecting with fellow readers before gathering for unforgettable conversations with Hannah Selinger.
Book NowFAQS
Books by the Sea is an annual reading retreat at Blue Water Resort on Cape Cod, bringing together book lovers for a weekend of beachfront relaxation, author conversations, dining, and literary experiences.
No, while book clubs are welcome, Books by the Sea is open to everyone. Many guests attend independently to meet fellow readers, discover new books, and enjoy a unique weekend by the coast.
The event is perfect for avid readers, book clubs, friends planning a weekend getaway, and anyone looking to enjoy a relaxing reading retreat on Cape Cod. Whether you're attending solo or with a group, the weekend is designed to encourage conversation, connection, and time to unwind.
Package inclusions vary depending on your selected experience. Both packages include a two-night stay at Blue Water Resort and exclusive author programming, while the Hardcover Experience also includes breakfast and dinner throughout the weekend.
Yes, guests will enjoy an intimate author conversation, audience Q&A, and book signing with featured authors, with opportunities to have books signed and take photos during the event.
Absolutely. Books by the Sea is ideal for friends, book clubs, and small groups. Blue Water Resort offers spacious guest rooms, suites, and adjoining room options, making it easy to enjoy the weekend together.
In addition to the scheduled author events, guests can relax on the beach, enjoy the resort amenities, explore local shops and bookstores, discover nearby Cape Cod attractions, or simply settle in with a good book by the water.
Books by the Sea will be hosted at Blue Water Resort in South Yarmouth, Cape Cod. The resort's beachfront location provides the perfect setting for a relaxing weekend of reading, conversation, and coastal escapes.
Terms & Conditions: Refundable deposit and prepayment of 1st night's rate due at time of booking and will be charged to credit card provided . 10 Day Cancellation Policy - Must cancel 10 days prior to arrival by 3pm for refund of deposit less a $25 admin fee. Minimum 2 night stay required to book this package. Meal inclusions are based on which package is booked. Meal credits do not include taxes or gratuity. Early bird pricing is available through August 13, 2026 only.