I think, if you're going to come to a chain bookstore, this should be the place you visit. It's so…read morenew; it's got that new book smell (not really, but... maybe, kinda, sorta?)! 1. So much easy, free parking in their huge shared lot. 2. There's a Starbucks-adjacent cafe. NOTE: it's NOT actually Starbucks though, so you can't order ahead or pay with your app. Just a heads-up! The cafe portion of the bookstore is spacious and clean, with the tables themselves also being spaced quite far apart from one another. It creates a real sense of privacy no matter where you sit! 3. The atmosphere/layout here is very modern and inviting; the selection itself is enormous. Genres are clearly labeled, and there's a tremendous amount of content available no matter what you're looking for (so be prepared to spend some time here wandering around and taking it all in... then you'll probably have to come back, because there's no way you'll actually be able to take it all in on the first visit!). They've got new releases, popular books, recommendations, board games, and more. And, of course, the random armchair for you to sit and peruse your possible purchase. Obviously, support local first. But if you're looking for a slow-paced, wide open, very quiet, very tidy spot to spend a little bit of time (without feeling rushed or forced to purchase something) finding your next favorite read, I'd suggest visiting here!

This is a newer location, and it's absolutely stunning! Nice lighting, open concept, beautiful cafe.read more

First time visit to this used bookstore located on Congress after visiting Uncharted Tea. Which you…read more will even find books from here inside Uncharted as well as some other local spots. Don't mind the scaffolding outside and make your way in to explore if you are close by exploring when they are open. The store goes a lot further back than you would expect and the huge amount of books here means you could spend a long time browsing. Despite the narrow spaces and books being everywhere it is organized well and you will find lots of signs listing the current genre you are looking at. Which speaking of they offer so much I think everyone will find some books that catch your eyes here. Being a used bookstore they did have a good mix of older books while appearing to have more fresh and modern titles available as well. Prices seemed reasonable for the few I looked at. My wife almost bought a couple books but in the end just browsed but would highly recommend coming here for any book lovers. I would even say one of the better used bookshops we have visited! You may just find your next unexpected book you have to read.

Green Hand Bookshop is like the best kind of treasure hunt. I can (and have) spent hours here…read moreperusing the stacks for my next favorite read. It's excellent!

If you love bookstores that feel like a warm hug with a side of coastal charm, Sherman's is exactly…read morethat girl. I popped in during a fall trip to Portland, and within two steps, I understood why this place stays busy. It's cozy, it's nostalgic, and it has that "you're definitely leaving with something you didn't plan to buy" -- and I absolutely did. The book selection is diverse. They do an incredible job curating local authors, Maine-themed reads, and those charming "I'll never find this anywhere else" gems. It's the kind of shop where you browse slowly because every shelf has a little surprise. The gifts + stationery section is dangerous (in the best way). Cute cards, puzzles, journals, mugs... basically an stress-free way to knock out gift shopping. Staff was friendly without hovering. Asked for a recommendation and got a great one -- points awarded. Yes, the aisles are a little tight. Yes, you might bump into people. But honestly? That's part of the cozy bookstore ecosystem. If you want Barnes & Noble spacing... this isn't that. And that's why it works. If you're in downtown Portland, Sherman's is an absolute must-stop. Whether you buy a book, a puzzle, or just soak up the cozy, indie-bookstore magic -- you'll leave happier than you walked in.

I hadn't planned to stop by this cute bookshop, but it was a real treat browsing for gifts and…read moreseeing the latest in fiction and what books are recommended or popular. The selection is definitely heavy on fiction and more contemporary/popular names. Everything was very organized, and the staff were friendly. It wasn't too crowded on a weekday morning when I went, so this wasn't an issue, but the aisles are narrow so it's more of a one-way street.

I was thoroughly impressed by the excellent selection of gifts and good-quality used books. I…read morewalked into the bookstore just to browse, and I ended up leaving with a bag full of souvenirs and used books!

Longfellow Books is in the heart of Portland- within walking distance to a number of my favorite…read moreshops and restaurants. They always have a great selection, and I especially love their bargain section. So many of my favorite books have come from Longfellow's, and I'll forever be thankful to them for that.

If you are a book lover and looking to get lost in browsing for a few hours this may be the spot to…read morecheck out. While my wife and I did not find anything to buy it was worth checking out. They definitely seem to lean more towards history/war/military and older books. If you are a fan of those types of books you could find a lot of hidden gems I am sure. There is a little bit of a musty smell due to a combination of the old books and lack of airflow in the older building. Also beware space is limited so be ready for for changing directions or getting out of the way if other patrons are nearby. Shelves upon shelves of books with some taped to papers letting you know the section you are in. While it does have some order in this sense at the same time it's chaotic mainly due to crammed space. Can't really speak to value all that much as I did not see the prices for many books and honestly I would not have a good sense of the actual value of the books either. As I said a must visit for book lovers in or visiting Portland to lose yourself while browsing. You can tell a lot of time and effort went into building this collection of books! The one star deduction is solely due to the largest portions of their books are just genres I generally don't have any interest in. I do appreciate it for what it is though and would recommend it.

Yes Books- I stumbled in here one day, and spent an hour looking around. Honestly, it felt more…read morelike five minutes. Everything was so wonderful, I was sad I had to leave. I've been back quite a few times since then and I must say that Yes Books always gets a Yes from me!

Awesome place! Mostly used books in great condition usually in the $4-10 range unless brand new and…read morepopular. We go here all the time to grab a book for cheap when we're on vacation at OOB. Nice people. Somewhat disorganized but in a charming way.

Great book store with an incredible variety of choices. Prices are great, and it's walking distance…read morefrom Old Orchard Beach

Don't be thrown by the location - this is a neighborhood gem. We went in right before closing with…read moretwo energetic kids. The staff could not have been more kind or helpful. They took time to get down to the physical level of my four year old, asking him what he liked and helped give us recommendations for his first chapter books. The diverse books and Maine authors featured made me really happy and although the shop is small, there was quite a wide variety. They also made it very easy to order anything they didn't have in stock. We will definitely be repeat customers!

Great place and very helpful service. The woman with whom I dealt even mailed the gift certificate…read moreI bought!

I didn't even make it ten feet into the store before I already had an armful of books (three I had…read morenever heard of including a sequel to a book I really loved, how exciting is that?!)! The first two shelves when you walk in are the "Best of the Year" (which is front and center) and (on the right hand wall) the "Staff/Locals Recommendation" - how cool is it that they promote recs from their regulars?! They've done such a good job putting short descriptions under each book for customers to quickly peruse! But I don't think quick is the pace here anyway; it seems very much like you can, at your leisure look at, pick-up, and thumb through as many books as you want. I don't get the sense of urgency here at all, which is lovely. What would make it MORE lovely, though, is some seating options (though I did see a couple folks sitting right in the middle of the aisle like it was no big deal). There are an overwhelming amount of knick-knacks and trinkets and random souvenirs... I wish they'd scale that back to add a couple benches or armchairs. This is one of those places you WANT to sign up for their rewards program: you just need to give them your name and phone number and for every $200 you spent you get $10 a credit!

Anyone whose been in Maine for any decent amount of time knows Sherman's is/should be a go to for…read morelocal bookstore. Today was the first time my wife and I have visited this particular location and we agreed it has been one of the nicest we have visited. Quite a large space with all the genres you would expect with plenty of classics while also having the new hyped releases as well. Another huge plus was how many sections of heavily discounted books they had. Could spend a long time browsing and finding great sales. Besides books they also have other offerings including many Maine themed goodies, Lego sets, socks, and more. Staff was friendly and greeted us with a smile and while we didn't need assistance we noticed they helped other customers with questions and made it a very welcoming environment! Book lovers nearby or visiting this is a must check out spot!

Following first speculation I saw online of Novel closing then after they confirmed they would be…read moreclosing my wife wanted to make sure we came by before that! She is a book lover and we both love our coffees and cocktails. This is a spot that offers all of that and is a third space I think that has been popular and will in general be missed. We even visited during their opening day back in December 2023. They will be closing their doors on April 17th 2026. I will say that due to them getting their books from a local used bookstore they do not have the latest and greatest selection of books that you'd expect if they were a bookstore. I have not had complaints during any of our visits here. I have enjoyed their coffee as well as their chai lattes along with enjoyed all the cocktails I have tried. I have especially enjoyed the espresso martinis and have liked the fact you could in fact get the coffee drinks and cocktails any time of their hours opened. During the majority of their time open they would offer specialty espresso martinis as well. Some of my favorite cities to visit have many coffee cafe meets cocktail bar and is a concept I wish were more popular in Portland. It is a difficult time currently for all and any local business so with yet another closing I encourage you to support your favorite places when and how you can! Cheers to Novel and thanks for the space you offered to locals and visitors!

A place like Novel was long overdue in Downtown Portland. Coffee, cocktails, and books all day…read morelong? Yes, please. And they're open on Mondays?! The minute I walked in, I was surprised by how big the space was. But heads up, it's already a popular spot. I assumed a Monday visit would mean a quiet, empty cafe, but nope. Every table, couch, and chaise was taken, so I grabbed a seat at the bar. Not a problem, but if you're expecting a hidden gem, this isn't that. The ambiance was cool, hip, and laid-back. It's the kind of place where being solo feels encouraged. The only group chatting while I was there was practically whispering, so if you're looking for a catch-up spot with friends, this probably isn't it. But if you're in town alone and want a good drink and some quiet time, then it's the perfect spot. I ordered The Raven, and it was a delicious and balanced drink, just pricier than expected at $14 (though that's sadly the new norm in Portland). I also got a Negroni, which I just asked for offhand, and surprisingly, it was great and cheaper than my cocktail. Wish I'd known that was an option first. Overall, a fantastic addition to Portland and one I'll absolutely be back to.