Pop the champagne! Bedside Reading, a company that places complimentary books in the rooms of popular hotels in The Hamptons, is celebrating the start of its twentieth beach season.
On May 26, 2002, Jane Ubell-Meyer and a friend started placing bags filled with exclusive products and books on Hampton coaches traveling to and from New York City and The Hamptons. Called Buzz Bags the company was the first of its kind to monetize the concept of Gift Bags, which quickly spread to Hollywood and beyond.
Brands and publishers vied for placement in these bags which embraced the experiential and word of mouth marketing concept. Hollywood premieres, Broadway shows, charity events, and even United Airlines among others joined the program seeking the gift bags as an exclusive amenity. The program eventually evolved from Hampton Buzz Bags to Madison & Mulholland Hampton Gift Bags to today’s Bedside Reading Summer Reading program offering the best in the summer season’s beach reading.
Sexy beach reads, riveting thrillers, engrossing memoirs, and fun children’s books all comprise The Bedside Reading summer program which continues to be a must-have amenity for its 10 local hotel partners offering beachgoers that sought after beach read.
“We are so excited to be kicking off our 20th season with such a fabulous line-up of authors,” said Ubell-Meyer, the founder of Bedside Reading. “Who knew that when I launched Buzz Bags on May 26, 2002, we would still be here twenty beach seasons later. And we are excited to announce our first summer book signing event to take place on July 21 at the Lucille Khornak Gallery in Bridgehampton with authors such as Amanda M. Fairbanks, Laurie Gelman, Debby Kruszewski, and others. This is all very meaningful and special to me because I vacationed in The Hamptons every summer when I was a child.”
Books are complimentary to guests and can be found at a variety of Hamptons hotels and inns. In East Hampton: The Baker House 1650, Mill House Inn, The Maidstone Hotel, and Huntting Inn. In Montauk: Marram. In Southampton: Southampton Inn and White Fences Inn Water Mill. In Bridgehampton: Topping Rose House. In Riverhead: Hyatt Place Long Island/East End, and The Preston House & Hotel.
“Bedside Reading has been a great partner. We love their books which always add to the experience we offer our guests,” said Dede Gotthelf, the owner of Southampton Inn. “We are thrilled with our relationship and look forward to many more seasons!”
“We’ve worked with Bedside Reading for years, placing our books in hotels, in gift bags, even sharing online. Supported by the beautiful social posts and extensive media coverage they secure, we’ve found this to be a great way to make ‘beach reads season’ last all year long! We congratulate them on celebrating 20 seasons in the Hamptons!” said Abby Zidle, the associate marketing director of Gallery Books at Simon & Schuster.
Throughout the 2021 summer season, Bedside Reading will offer celebratory events including book signings, book giveaways, virtual and in-person author meet-and-greets, its second annual Hamptons Beach Lovers Guide, and more. Beach book totes filled with the a selection of the best books of summer will be delivered to hotel partners on 10 select summer weekends.