34 Comments
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Chelsea Diehl's avatar

Thank you so much, Michelle! You're the best! Also, I am doing a book talk next weekend at Anodyne Bookshop - I'll be sure to check it out and report back! :)

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Michelle Martin's avatar

Can't wait to hear all about it; good luck!

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Lia's avatar

Thank you, Michelle! I visited Maine for the first time last summer and it was heavenly! Bookmarking this to reference when I hopefully go back one day :)

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Michelle Martin's avatar

I hope you get to come back soon ◡̈

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Jenny's avatar

Thanks Michelle! I’m heading from NJ to Sebago Lake in a couple weeks if you have any recommendations near there!

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Michelle Martin's avatar

Enjoy!

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Brittany Stoess's avatar

Maine is one of my favorite places in the whole world. Saving this for the next time I visit!

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Michelle Martin's avatar

It is wonderful (but maybe I'm biased 😂)

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Jessica Grosman's avatar

Arctic Tern bookstore is one of the most beautiful shops I’ve ever visited! Definitely visit & soak-in the vibes.

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Michelle Martin's avatar

Oh, I'm so happy to hear that! It's *hopefully* going to be a summer day trip this year 🤞

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Jessica Grosman's avatar

I wish I had more to recommend in Rockland, other than Arctic Tern and Primo (restaurant). That area of the coastline is beautiful!

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Alexandra Kelebay's avatar

Bookmarking this for the end of July! I love Sherman’s and Longfellow but eager to find some new gems 📚

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Michelle Martin's avatar

You're in for a treat 🤓

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Em Hedge's avatar

This is a great list! Somehow I missed Stone Soup in Camden and will go back expressly for it.

I also love Skidompha Used Books in Damariscotta and Twice Told Tales in Brunswick. They’re both used bookstores run by the local libraries.

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Michelle Martin's avatar

Ah, yes! Two more great ones. I was recently at Twice Told Tales and they were having a sale where every book was $2, suffice to say we stocked up 😂

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Brooke Lea Foster's avatar

I've been to so many of these bookstores and LOVED them. I remember being in Shermans one summer and finding my first book on their shelves and freaking out!! Maine is such a special place. You're so lucky to live there. xo

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Michelle Martin's avatar

What a fun and special experience to see your book on the shelves! That is amazing.

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Steph's avatar

I’ve been to Portland several times but have somehow never been to the bookstores 🫣 now I guess I’ll have to make another trip! You always make me want to move there with your photos and guides.

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Michelle Martin's avatar

Yes! Come on up; I'm always trying to talk everyone I know into moving here 😂

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Steph's avatar

Honestly wouldn’t take much convincing 😭 some of my partners’ college friends live there and I am jealous!

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Anita's avatar

The timing of your newsletter is impeccable. Heading to Maine tomorrow! Will mainly stay in Bath area, but will stop in Portland for an afternoon on my way.

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Michelle Martin's avatar

Oh, yay! I hope you have a great trip ◡̈

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Samantha Ladwig's avatar

Love this bookstore list! Definitely saving this for the day I can make it over there.

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Michelle Martin's avatar

Yessss, I would love to be your bookstore tour guide if you make a trip here 😂

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Abby Wolfe's avatar

As a fellow Portlander who lives in a nearby neighborhood, I can fully endorse Back Cove Books! It's one of my favorite places. :) I visited Left Bank for the first time about a month ago and fell in love with it so much I went back the next day, too!

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Michelle Martin's avatar

The best ◡̈

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Lisa Van Dyk's avatar

Also a fellow Portlander! I love Longfellow and Print as I can walk to both of those. Have either of you been to Pushcart Press, the "world's smallest bookstore," in Sedgwick? That's on my to-visit list!

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Abby Wolfe's avatar

Hi fellow Portlander! Let me know if you'd like to grab coffee sometime. I have never been to Pushcart Press, but now it's definitely on my field trip list!

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Michelle Martin's avatar

Oh, no! I haven’t. But now I’m adding it to the list.

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Violet Carol's avatar

I want to live in these pictures. Your photography is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing this lovely list — I need to go to Maine now 🦞📖

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Michelle Martin's avatar

Aw, thank you Violet!

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Sara Garcia's avatar

Gorgeous photos, Michelle and oh my gosh now I need to come explore this beautiful place!

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Michelle Martin's avatar

Come visit!

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Sara Garcia's avatar

I just might some day!

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