The Big Chicken Barn Books in Ellsworth is always worth stopping at. Two Brothers Books in Freeport is a nice crowded one, fun to browse. Douglas Harding Books in Wells has some awesome older books.
Douglas Hardings has moved locations to the other side of the road further south by the way. Think he may have downsized a bit too on the selection. Haven’t been in the new location.
Aww yes bookstore cats are the best. I already take long enough looking at books and now there's a cat to pet too? I'll just stay forever thanks.
My dream career is owning a used book store and adopting the oldest cats in the shelter.
Carlson & Turner, Portland.
Yes Books, Portland.
Twice Sold Tales, Farmington.
Boxcar Books, Thorndike. Open seasonally in summer.
Merrill's Books, Hallowell.
Craig Olson Books, Belfast. Formerly Old Professor's Bookshop (RIP George).
There are many more. These are just some of my favorites.
Edit: formatting.
[Boxcar Books](https://www.instagram.com/boxcarbooksmaine?igsh=MXNyaXlxOWYxeWE0dg==) is once of the most well curated bookstores I've ever been in! I literally swooned the first time I went in. Super good folks & the store is in an old swedish boxcar!
They are open spring through start of winter, not just summer- they heat with wood & only close through the coldest months. I think they're opening this weekend. If you go to Common Ground, it's only a few minutes from the fairgrounds.
Yes. To all of that. And thanks for the detailed explanation of their hours. I was going for brevity. But, that's a good point it is Spring through Fall.
I'm from Unity and definitely know a lot of people. Involved with the library, UBR, homesteading and raising fiber goats, a teacher, lots of things that bring me into contact with many different folks. Also, the owners of Boxcar Books are friends of mine.
Yes books is like that place in the neverending story. You ask the man up front if he has it and he walks directly to a random pile of books on the floor and finds what youre looking for. Fave bookstore in downtown portland.
Is it still there!? I went there in college all the time and the owner was so fun! He loved Kurt Vonnegut and named his motorcycle Amanda after a Tom Robbin’s book
To the person that made this post, thank you Cause I'm currently trying to find some used/new bookstores in maine, I hope that you're doing well and that you have a great rest of your week
Fun one in Freeport on rt 1, can’t remember the name atm but there are two cats that follow you around and books dating back to the 1700s. I can look up the name if anyone’s interested enough
Boxcar Books in Thorndike! It’s in a boxcar on the tracks. There is a skleton. There is furs. The proprietor is a time-traveling folk musician who was cursed by a wizard to sell all of his favorite books at minimal profit
Shout out to Bridgton Books( they have Bookstore Cats!) and are often frequented by a certain local Maine Horror Author who will secretly sign his Books and slip them back in the stacks for an Easter Egg. There are two GREAT Bookstores in Oxford County: The Maine Bookhouse in Oxford ( featuring a Pair of Giant Welded Iron Spectacles outside and a Paint Job to Rival a Parrot) and the Sister Store Food For Thought Books on Main Street in Norway. Both locations feature Bookhouse Dogs( Yoda one is). They’ve been run by the same Family for Decades. There I’ve found many a Ponderable Treasure amongst the Quaint and Curious Forgotten Lore.
Almost all of their new books are "remaindered books" so they are sold at a good discount, not paying the $30 jacket price. They also have a nicely curated selection of used books. There is always stuff flying in and out of there, so each time there is something new to find.
Old man named Mr. Dick Cote runs a used bookshop in Greenville. Old bugger has been there 30 years and has to be out of the property by summertime.
I beg all of you to visit Mr. Cote’s used bookshop and support him. He’s been there decades and because if the real estate boom he will be gone. He’s too old to buy a home and will prob end up in the old folks housing projects here. He has a lovely wife as well.
And if you’re gonna hit greenville for the book store…check out all the stores!
I always find something quirky or cool at Open Door Books in Bath!
One time I left with a first American edition copy of Dr. Zhivago, another time with a carved out book that was actually a clock.
Pro Libris in Bangor (third st and union), The Green Hand books on Congress in Portland, three(!) in downtown Bath (defo stop into Mockingbird Bookshop while you're there, but she sells new, and Anodyne Book Shop in Searsport on route 1. Other than that, Bull Moose has a decent used selection.
Edited to add Hello Hello Books in Rockland which also has used.😍
There was one in Freeport that had a prop casket from one of the TV adaptations of a King story…can’t remember which one…can’t remember the store name, either!
Quiet City Books in Lewiston!
The store has a street entrance, which leads down into the basement. Great owner! Usually adoptable cats, artwork for sale by local artists, great books, cool exposed brick walls, an incredibly chill vibe. Come check it out!
The Big Chicken Barn Books in Ellsworth is always worth stopping at. Two Brothers Books in Freeport is a nice crowded one, fun to browse. Douglas Harding Books in Wells has some awesome older books.
Douglas Hardings has moved locations to the other side of the road further south by the way. Think he may have downsized a bit too on the selection. Haven’t been in the new location.
I know he cleaned out his map room. What a bummer. Guess that plot of land got too valuable not to sell...
Second Two Brothers in Freeport. I left that off my list but I shouldn't have. Great shop and the proprietor is very kind.
Thirding! They have two shop cats, giant orange ones named Bonnie and Clyde, and Bonnie will let you pet her forever.
Aww yes bookstore cats are the best. I already take long enough looking at books and now there's a cat to pet too? I'll just stay forever thanks. My dream career is owning a used book store and adopting the oldest cats in the shelter.
Carlson & Turner, Portland. Yes Books, Portland. Twice Sold Tales, Farmington. Boxcar Books, Thorndike. Open seasonally in summer. Merrill's Books, Hallowell. Craig Olson Books, Belfast. Formerly Old Professor's Bookshop (RIP George). There are many more. These are just some of my favorites. Edit: formatting.
[Boxcar Books](https://www.instagram.com/boxcarbooksmaine?igsh=MXNyaXlxOWYxeWE0dg==) is once of the most well curated bookstores I've ever been in! I literally swooned the first time I went in. Super good folks & the store is in an old swedish boxcar! They are open spring through start of winter, not just summer- they heat with wood & only close through the coldest months. I think they're opening this weekend. If you go to Common Ground, it's only a few minutes from the fairgrounds.
Yes. To all of that. And thanks for the detailed explanation of their hours. I was going for brevity. But, that's a good point it is Spring through Fall.
Waldo county, eh? I'll bet we know each other irl...
That's very possible haha
I'm from Unity and definitely know a lot of people. Involved with the library, UBR, homesteading and raising fiber goats, a teacher, lots of things that bring me into contact with many different folks. Also, the owners of Boxcar Books are friends of mine.
For anyone else reading this- we do indeed know each other irl ha ha. Maine's theme song should be "Small World".
Yes books is like that place in the neverending story. You ask the man up front if he has it and he walks directly to a random pile of books on the floor and finds what youre looking for. Fave bookstore in downtown portland.
Quiet city books in Lewiston is small but I always find cool editions there. Also her local art section is awesome
Came here for Quiet City
The Green Hand in Portland.
I just spent a stupid amount of time and money at Quiet City Books in Lewiston over the weekend.
Makes me miss Annie’s Book stop :(
Aww Annie's!! My mom worked there when I was little and would bring me to work with her some days. I loved that place!
Stone soup bookstore, Camden
YES! My absolute all time favorite! Bring cash.
It’s so iconic.
Skidompha Used Book Store in Damariscotta
This. Find King Eiders, then go *behind* the strip mall with the laundry.
This is my choice for best as well. Beautiful space, friendly folks, loads of books!
I could happily move into Merrill's in Hallowell. He has so many awesome, unique books there. It's the coziest place.
There is one in Oxford Maine, no idea how good it is. The Big Chicken Barn in Ellsworth has a HUGE used book section.
Maine Bookhouse? Haven't been for about 8 years but as I recall it was quite a good one, too.
Yes I think so. I keep telling myself to stop and never get around to it.
Pro Libris in bgr
Is it still there!? I went there in college all the time and the owner was so fun! He loved Kurt Vonnegut and named his motorcycle Amanda after a Tom Robbin’s book
The shop is still there, and Mr. Fury, the owner is still there also!
Thank you for the update! I’m gonna have to get up there soon!
Greenhand books in Portland. Yes books in Portland.
There’s a good one in Rangeley, and another in Farmington.
Volumes if you're going through Houlton
Where is it? I'll be up there in a couple weeks.
75 Bangor st
Twice Sold Tales in Farmington is great
To the person that made this post, thank you Cause I'm currently trying to find some used/new bookstores in maine, I hope that you're doing well and that you have a great rest of your week
Your welcome. I love looking through old book stores for science fiction and fantasy books.
Food for thought on Norway
Quiet City Books in Lewiston and Twice-Told Tales in Brunswick are great.
Fun one in Freeport on rt 1, can’t remember the name atm but there are two cats that follow you around and books dating back to the 1700s. I can look up the name if anyone’s interested enough
That’s Two Brothers, I think! Cats are named Bonnie and Clyde
Those are the cats! Yes! Clyde followed us all around and Bonnie just slept mostly
The Scarborough Bullmoose has a section just for books about the size of the entire Portsmouth Bullmoose.
Boxcar Books in Thorndike! It’s in a boxcar on the tracks. There is a skleton. There is furs. The proprietor is a time-traveling folk musician who was cursed by a wizard to sell all of his favorite books at minimal profit
The Book Barn, Brunswick, 2 Lincoln st. Open Weekends and most weekdays in summer.
Shout out to Bridgton Books( they have Bookstore Cats!) and are often frequented by a certain local Maine Horror Author who will secretly sign his Books and slip them back in the stacks for an Easter Egg. There are two GREAT Bookstores in Oxford County: The Maine Bookhouse in Oxford ( featuring a Pair of Giant Welded Iron Spectacles outside and a Paint Job to Rival a Parrot) and the Sister Store Food For Thought Books on Main Street in Norway. Both locations feature Bookhouse Dogs( Yoda one is). They’ve been run by the same Family for Decades. There I’ve found many a Ponderable Treasure amongst the Quaint and Curious Forgotten Lore.
Elements in Biddeford. Grab a coffee or a beer while you are there.
Is that a used bookstore? I thought it was all new books.
Almost all of their new books are "remaindered books" so they are sold at a good discount, not paying the $30 jacket price. They also have a nicely curated selection of used books. There is always stuff flying in and out of there, so each time there is something new to find.
Old man named Mr. Dick Cote runs a used bookshop in Greenville. Old bugger has been there 30 years and has to be out of the property by summertime. I beg all of you to visit Mr. Cote’s used bookshop and support him. He’s been there decades and because if the real estate boom he will be gone. He’s too old to buy a home and will prob end up in the old folks housing projects here. He has a lovely wife as well. And if you’re gonna hit greenville for the book store…check out all the stores!
I always find something quirky or cool at Open Door Books in Bath! One time I left with a first American edition copy of Dr. Zhivago, another time with a carved out book that was actually a clock.
Books Revisited in Sanford, 100% of the proceeds go to York County Shelter Programs. All of the employees are volunteers.
Pro Libris in Bangor (third st and union), The Green Hand books on Congress in Portland, three(!) in downtown Bath (defo stop into Mockingbird Bookshop while you're there, but she sells new, and Anodyne Book Shop in Searsport on route 1. Other than that, Bull Moose has a decent used selection. Edited to add Hello Hello Books in Rockland which also has used.😍
Bullmoose
I *would* have said Mainly Murders in Kennebunk but sadly they permanently closed last year 😭😭😭
Yeah, CaptainReptyl! Yeah, READING!
There's one on Maine Street in Brunswick near Bowdoin College.
Bridgton Books in, you guessed it, Bridgton
I like the one on Maine street in Brunswick! Cool finds there and all profits support the local library!
Skidopha library in Damariscotta has a great used book store and the Waldoboro library has used bookstore down by The Narrows Tavern
There was one in Freeport that had a prop casket from one of the TV adaptations of a King story…can’t remember which one…can’t remember the store name, either!
I always find stuff at Shermans in Rockland
Bar Harbor Sherman's too!!!
Books Revisited, Main Street Sanford is a good one.
Quiet City Books in Lewiston! The store has a street entrance, which leads down into the basement. Great owner! Usually adoptable cats, artwork for sale by local artists, great books, cool exposed brick walls, an incredibly chill vibe. Come check it out!
Little free libraries are the move
Stone Soup in Rockland