This was the absolute cutest place I've been to all summer. I enjoyed the aesthetic, the staff and…read moremost importantly the books + products they had to offer. This beautiful business was well kept and well decorated as well as CLEAN. Everything was organized easily enough to get through the store. I really enjoyed everything and saw so much that I am planning to make another trip to make sure I don't miss anything. If you are a book lover and appreciate the little things this is definitely a great place to come to.

My local bookstore. Small but quite well stocked, with a lovingly curated selection of books and…read morecards, just a block off the main drag in a tidy white building that's even more appealing inside. Knowledgable owner will make you feel welcome to browse and can point you to books of local interest, order anything that isn't on hand for quick delivery, and even wrap gifts. Don't miss the lower level for the kids section (start with classic local and Maine writers and illustrators E. B. White, Robert McCloskey, and Barbara Cooney) plus more books for the grown-ups (travel, art, cooking, ...). The mainstay of local reading groups over the years, Blue Hill Books also works well with our town library and its abundant programming offers. Denizens of many a much larger town would be thrilled to have an independent bookstore like this nearby (and we are doubly blessed because we also have an exceptional public library). You don't need a foggy summer day or a short winter afternoon as an excuse to spend an hour or two at Blue Hill Books, but it's a great place to stock up on supplies to tide you over or take you to faraway times and places,. It's also my go-to source for gifts.

A bookstore for book lovers: a small shop with narrow aisles crammed full of used books. You can…read morefind many treasures in the stacks if you want to take the time to search. While we were there, one woman was gleefully surveying the book offerings of a really niche category of interest and was fretting over which books to get because she wanted them all. Much more than your average used book store! The books are reasonably priced, but the kicker is that the proprietor is old school and only accepts cash or checks. We didn't have enough cash on hand, so I sadly put my two book choices back on the shelves. The proprietor didn't greet us at all, just sat behind his desk and read the paper, and gruffly handling transactions. Normally I'd knock a shop for that, but it's just part of the charm. The other major downside is that it's up a big flight of stairs in a building with no elevator, and it's not air conditioned, so it can get very hot in the summer. Worth stopping in, but hit up the ATM first.

Tucked away in Camden, ME, Stone Soup Used Books is a nostalgic treasure. Paul, who's been tending…read morehis shop since 1985, has created a magical space where stories live and linger. With shelves full of fairly priced finds and warm familiarity, it's the kind of place where you can happily lose track of time. I wish I had more space in my suitcase!

This place was AWESOME. It's a small store but they have utilized every single inch with a great…read morecurated arrangement of books, art supplies, and toys/puzzles/games. There are areas that are sorted by global region and then by prehistoric periods. They have interactive exhibits for kids (or adults) throughout all 3 floors of the store. 7-year-old would have been wild for this store and even as an adult saw so many cool books that I wanted. I managed to escape with only having purchased 2 books and a journal. The salesperson was very friendly and available if help was needed. Great selection of books, would much rather support an independent bookstore like this than a big box store or online retailer. Great value for being able to look through such a cool collection of books related to all things nature and science!

This was incredible!! It's a book store but also has a bunch of art installations and interactive…read moreexhibits. My kids LOVED it! So much to do and learn. They said it was their highlight from our trip to Maine!

This is a glorious addition to Bar Harbor! The renovation of this old barn at the back of Reel…read morePizza is warm and inviting . The upstairs is an inviting space to play board games or puzzles. Downstairs is the bookstore with lots of books and big comfy chairs to linger and read.

Located in a historic barn just off the main road, Hidden Barn Books is an instant delight. The…read moremoment you step inside, you're met with the cozy scent of fresh wood and new books. It's welcoming yet spacious, thoughtfully arranged, and full of titles across a wide variety of genres. A charming spot to browse, linger, and get lost in stories.

I've been to both locations and found them both to be a great find. No pressure , a great…read moreselection of books in a warm and inviting space.

This bookstore is absolutely adorable. Their selection isn't huge, but not bad for the size of the…read moreshop and definitely for the size of the town. It's quite diverse with a large "beach read" type selection (thrillers, mysteries, etc) but also a lot of classics.

Beautiful, warm and inviting bookstore. We always visit when we're in the area. And we always leave…read morewith a little something for ourselves or a gift for someone else.

Great selection of new books and helpful staff! Loves browsing their books and chatting with their…read morestaff. Wonderful experience.

A gem of a bookstore. Great selection, staff is friendly and knowledgeable, atmosphere is warm…read moreand "literary."

Great little bookstore with tons of magazines, nice selection of books, postcards, fresh coffee…read more(only a dollar!, er.."dollah" I suppose), and free wi-fi. Employees are incredibly friendly and the internet is completely open, so you don't even have to ask for a password. yay!

As Mainers Sherman's stands out as the biggest independent book stores in the state. This…read moreparticular location is the oldest of the state and one of the oldest in the USA in general since they opened way back in 1886. Due to the nature of how long this particular location has been opened some of the areas can feel very crowded depending on how many people are nearby but understandable with how long they've been open. Like other Sherman locations they have more than just books including puzzles, stuffed animals, Knick-knacks/trinkets, and more. My wife is an avid reader and loves checking out every and any bookstore. I appreciate locating them for her so she can do so! While not as much of an avid reader I do appreciate what appears to be a resurgence of physical books and indie book stores. The staff were extremely friendly and prices were reasonable/on par with other locations. This Sherman's has stood the test of time and has provided locals and tourists a spot for the newest and classic favorites for many generations. Worth your time to check it out even if you don't buy anything to make the claim you visited the oldest bookstore in Maine!

Perfect for book lovers, souvenir hunters, or anyone wanting a cozy break from exploring Acadia…read moreNational Park! Walking into Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shop felt like stepping into a classic coastal bookstore you'd see in a movie. It's Maine's oldest bookstore and one of the ten oldest in the U.S., which makes the whole experience feel even more special. Right on Main Street, it's super easy to find while strolling through Bar Harbor, but heads up, parking is mostly street parking and can get tight during peak tourist hours. Inside, there's truly a gift for everyone. It feels endless, with multiple rooms and shelves that just keep going. The vibe is cozy, slightly nostalgic, and packed with personality. Think local Maine authors, staff picks, cute gifts, puzzles, and little trinkets you didn't plan on buying but absolutely will. There's also a discount and bargain section with a really solid variety of books, which is a great find if you're looking to browse without spending too much. Postcards were also super affordable! The service was decent, nothing unusual, but still smooth and easy while browsing and checking out. I'd absolutely come back every time I'm in Bar Harbor. Quick note: there is no bathroom on site, so plan ahead before visiting!

The store is closed on Mondays, we were taking pictures of the window displays. Owner happened to…read morebe in taking care of paperwork. He kindly let us in to look around. Such a cool store. Lots of King memorabilia. The t-shirts are amazing, the graphics on them are done by Glenn Chadbourne. The scenes on them are from King stories. Gruesomely detailed. If you're in Bangor and a Stephan King fan definitely stop in!!!

Gerald Winters and Son is a fantastic Stephen King shop that's perfect for any collector. Gerald is…read morean absolutely amazing person who has a ton of passion and dedication to his store and personal collection. He is very helpful and friendly, talking to him about Stephen King was phenomenal. With his detailed and wide range of knowledge of the author and novels, you will learn much more than you thought. Though a lot of the rare books (many are autographed and/or first edition, some in other languages) were out of our price range (no complaints, it's totally understandable), we still made sure to buy a couple of cheaper books and trinkets. If you do stop by, pick up something to help the store because you don't find shops like this very often. I will definitely come back!