Johnson’s Literary Depot Presents:
The Storybook Retreat
An all-inclusive autumn weekend book retreat
Banner Elk, North Carolina
October 2nd-4th, 2026
A weekend for the book lovers.
Escape to the mountains for a weekend designed for book lovers. We’ll be staying in a storybook stone cottage in Banner Elk.
The Storybook Retreat invites you to slow down, disconnect from the demands of everyday life, and immerse yourself in the simple joy of reading. Picture crisp autumn air, cozy corners, steaming mugs of chai, mountain views, meaningful conversations, and uninterrupted time with the book you've been meaning to finish.
Whether you're arriving with a towering TBR pile or simply looking for a restorative getaway with fellow book lovers, this retreat was created to help you de-stress and reconnect with the stories & people you love.
Trip Highlights:
Two nights in a charming stone cottage in Banner Elk
Welcome happy hour and introductions
Dedicated reading time throughout the weekend
Cozy group discussions and bookish activities
An easy hike along the Blue Ridge Mountains
Visit the charming mountain town of Banner Elk
All meals & snacks are includes (Friday Dinner-Sunday Breakfast)
Retreat gift bag filled with bookish surprises
Plenty of free time to relax, explore, read, or simply do nothing at all!
All activities are 100% optional. Transportation to Banner Elk, NC is not included.
Pricing
$600 per person
A $200 deposit to reserve your spot. Payment plans are available.
Sample Weekend Schedule
Friday:
Arrive & Settle In with Happy Hour Charcuterie Board
Dinner
Mingle, Chill, or Read!
Saturday:
Morning Gentle Yoga Flow
Breakfast + Coffee
Easy Hike along the Blue Ridge
Lunch
Free Time to read, nap, play games, etc!
Happy Hour + Snacks with Bookish Craft
Dinner
Sunday:
Breakfast + Coffee
Departure
FAQs
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Yes! We will have a meet and greet prior to the retreat and will pick out a book to read and chat about on the retreat! This book is complimentary and you will be notified by JLD once it’s ready for pick up.
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The storybook cottage includes shared bedrooms. After reserving your spot, you’ll receive an accommodations preference form and we’ll thoughtfully match you with like-minded attendees. If you’d like a single room, that is an option however due to costs of events like this, it will come with an additional fee. Please include your preference on your accommodation form.
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Perfect! This isn’t your average book club. Think of it more like hanging out with friends who also love to read. There’s no pressure. Just good conversation.
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Of course! We are happy to accommodate all dietary restrictions & preferences. Once you sign up, you’ll get an info form to fill out and that’s where you’ll include all dietary restrictions and preferences.
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All sales for retreats are final. Due to the planning and preparation required for these events, we are unable to offer refunds for any reason, including cancellations, schedule conflicts, or personal circumstances.