Why You Need a Reading Retreat (and How to Plan One in Minnesota)

In the modern world, "reading" often means glancing at a text message while in line for coffee, or scrolling through a news summary between meetings. Deep reading—the kind that allows bold ideas to truly sink in and reshape your perspective—has become a radical act of focused rebellion.

As a publisher committed to works that challenge the status quo, we know our books demand more than a few scattered pages before bedtime. They demand attention. They demand an ultra-official Reading Retreat.

Here is why carving out time for an intentional reading retreat is essential, and how you can plan your own literary sanctuary right here in the North Star state.

The problem: We mistake consumption for comprehension

We boast about how many books we've finished this year, but how many books have truly changed us? The constant digital tug-of-war prevents the deep mental space required for true comprehension and synthesis.

A Reading Retreat is not a luxury; it’s a necessary reset button for your mind. It’s a purposeful pause designed to:

• Re-engage with text: Move beyond skimming and let challenging narratives and complex arguments truly breathe.

• Restore attention span: Retrain your brain to manage long periods of focused quiet, strengthening the muscles necessary for critical thought.

• Encourage creative friction: Allowing intense, bold themes to sit with you, leading to personal insights, debate, and even new creative ideas of your own.

Planning your bold Minnesota Reading Retreat

You don't need a transatlantic flight to achieve literary immersion. Minnesota, with its quiet lakeshores, cabins, and vast natural silence, is perfectly suited for a focused retreat.

1. Define the rules of engagement

The first step is setting the non-negotiables for your time away.

• The tech ban: The primary goal is deep reading. This means your phone goes into airplane mode … or better yet, a locked drawer! Bring a notebook, a physical book, and nothing else. (Note on our own note: We recommend real printed books here—you won't be tempted to scroll mindlessly through social media or just peek at your email "for a sec" if the screen isn't available.)

• The comfort challenge: While comfort is the enemy of innovation, a lack of basic comfort is the enemy of focus. Ensure you have good light, a comfortable chair, and simple, nourishing food or your favorite drink to sip. No complicated meal prep that distracts from the pages.

• The curated list: Do not bring twenty books. Bring two or three intentional choices—ideally, one challenging literary work, one bold non-fiction book, and maybe a slim volume of poetry. You are focusing on quality and depth, not quantity.

2. Choose your sanctuary

Minnesota offers sanctuaries for every budget and taste:

• The classic cabin: Rent a small, isolated cabin (off-season is best for quiet and lower prices) near the Boundary Waters or along the North Shore. The remoteness eliminates distractions by default. Bonus tip: Some of the coziest, best times to retreat involve real fireplaces. Find one.

• The urban escape: If traveling isn't feasible, book a night or two at an old, elegant hotel in St. Paul or Minneapolis (like one near the Fitzgerald Theater). The change of environment, even just 15 minutes from home, psychologically separates you from chores and obligations.

• The day retreat: What if an overnight trip isn’t possible? That’s OK, too. Dedicate a full Saturday to a quiet corner of a large public library (like the Minneapolis Central Library) or a silent reading room. Pack lunch, wear noise-canceling headphones, and block off the entire day as "Busy. Reading Retreat."

3. Integrate movement and reflection

Deep reading can be physically taxing. Schedule breaks to ensure the ideas you've absorbed have time to settle.

• The walking break: Intersperse your reading with a long, silent walk. In the woods or along a frozen lake, let the themes of your book mingle with the rhythm of your steps.

• The notebook unwind: Don't just underline the text; spend time actively writing down your responses, arguments, and dissenting thoughts. This turns reading from passive absorption into active intellectual friction.

Your reading life is a commitment. By planning a retreat, you are making a bold statement that the quality of your intellectual life is worth protecting and prioritizing.

Writing (and reading) outside the lines,

The DELANEY team

Want to add a book to your Reading Retreat plan? Check out “What’s in the works” with DELANEY on Works page.