Her Traveling Book Club: A Palm Springs Reading Retreat for Women Who Love Books & Travel

If there’s one thing I’ve mastered over the years, it’s traveling with a book in my bag—and usually five more shoved somewhere they don’t belong. I’ve been traveling since I was in diapers (thanks, Mom), and reading just as long. So, combining the two into a full-blown reading retreat for women? Kind of feels like I’ve been preparing for this my whole life.

This May, I’m hosting and attending Her Traveling Book Club’s first official Palm Springs Reading Retreat—a weekend away with eight incredible book-loving women, no real agenda beyond relaxing, talking about stories, and pretending we don’t have inboxes waiting for us back home. In other words: paradise.

Wait, What Even Is a Reading Retreat?

Books & Travel! Picture this: No deadlines, no pressure, just an excuse to pack that TBR stack you’ve been pretending isn’t slowly burying your nightstand. Add in a dreamy resort, a group of funny, brilliant women, and a book club that doesn’t care if you read the assigned chapters or got distracted by a new Rebecca Yarros release.

That’s Her Traveling Book Club. I created it for women who love to read and love to travel—but also love an afternoon nap and wine with dinner. It’s part book club, part girls’ trip, part reset-for-your-soul. The kind of women’s travel experience that makes you wonder why you’ve been spending your weekends cleaning out junk drawers instead of reading by a pool with friends.

Palm Springs, Here We Come

We’ll be staying at Desert Breezes Resort in Palm Desert, which, honestly, sounds like a name from a romance novel—but I promise it’s real, and it’s beautiful. Picture palm trees, desert sunsets, mountain views, and enough quiet to finally finish that book you keep rereading the first 30 pages of.

There will be wine. There will be cozy clothes. There will be the kind of conversations that start with, “Did you like the ending?” and end with someone crying (in a good way). There may or may not be someone sneaking in a few chapters during dinner.

Why This Isn’t Just a Cute Idea

This isn’t just a cutesy book club getaway where we all show up in matching pajamas and pretend life is perfect. (Though, no judgment if anyone does bring matching PJs—I love a theme.)

This retreat is personal. For me, books have always been a lifeline—a way to dream, to travel when I can't leave the continent, and to believe in a little magic. Travel has has always fed my very soul. And I know I’m not the only one who needs a little of both right now—who’s craving depth, connection, laughter, and a damn good story.

I’ve hosted plenty of events, but this one feels different. It’s stripped down. Soulful. Real. It’s about being around other women who love stories, who want to slow down, and who aren't afraid to turn a weekend in the desert into a full-on reset.

Come Along for the Ride

If you’re not joining us in person, don’t worry—I’ll be sharing the magic (and the mayhem) over on Instagram at @sweet.p.and.sky and @hertravelingbookclub. You’ll see our favorite reads, best snacks, unexpected revelations, and maybe even a group selfie that took 27 tries.

This is the first of many retreats for book lovers, and I hope it inspires you to plan your own, even if it’s just a Saturday in your backyard with a paperback and a friend.

We’re heading to the desert—with packed bags, full hearts, and slightly overambitious reading goals. Let’s see what kind of story unfolds.