The book “The Country of the Pointed Firs” by Sarah Orne Jewett paints a picture of a small fishing village in Maine during the late 19th century. It follows a visitor, a writer, who observes the daily lives of the residents.
Through her experiences, readers meet memorable characters like the herbalist Almira Todd and Captain Littlepage, who share stories that capture the rhythm and history of their coastal town. The quiet beauty of rural Maine and its people shines throughout the story.
“Olive Kitteridge” by Elizabeth Strout is set in the small coastal town of Crosby, Maine, and follows the life of Olive, a retired schoolteacher known for her blunt personality.
The book is a collection of interconnected stories that explore Olive’s relationships with her husband, her son, and the people in her community. Through the different perspectives, you get a sense of her flaws, moments of kindness, and how she affects those around her.
One moment that stands out shows Olive facing her son’s resentment, which exposes cracks in their family bond.
Richard Russo’s “Empire Falls” is set in a small, struggling town in Maine and follows the life of Miles Roby, who manages the Empire Grill diner.
The story explores the challenges Miles faces, including conflicts with the controlling Whiting family, his rocky personal life, and the weight of family secrets.
The book captures the dynamics of a tight-knit community, where everyone’s choices seem interconnected in surprising ways.
“Olive, Again” by Elizabeth Strout returns to the life of Olive Kitteridge, a sharp and complex woman living in a small coastal town in Maine. The book follows Olive as she navigates her later years, facing changes in her relationships and coming to terms with aging.
Through interconnected stories and glimpses into the lives of other townspeople, the book paints a vivid picture of community, connection, and the trials of ordinary life.
The novel “The Weight of Water” by Anita Shreve follows a photographer named Jean, who travels to an island off the coast of Maine to document the site of a historical double murder. As she becomes immersed in the mystery of the past, her own personal life begins to unravel.
The story alternates between Jean’s present struggles and the chilling details of the century-old crime.
“The Colorado Kid” by Stephen King is a mystery set on a small island in Maine. The story follows two veteran reporters who share a puzzling, unsolved case with a young intern.
It revolves around a stranger found dead on the island years ago, with no clues to his identity or how he got there. The book focuses on the mystery itself and the nature of unanswered questions.
Gary D. Schmidt wrote “Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy,” a story about an unlikely friendship between Turner Buckminster, a minister’s son, and Lizzie Bright Griffin, a girl from a historically Black island community off the coast of Maine.
Set in the early 20th century, the book explores social tensions and challenges faced by the two as their worlds collide. Turner’s quiet Maine town grapples with racism and greed, and his friendship with Lizzie reveals the injustices around them.
Kate Douglas Wiggin wrote “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm,” a story about a spirited young girl named Rebecca who moves to live with her strict aunts in a small Maine village.
Rebecca’s imaginative nature and charm clash with the rigid expectations of her new home, creating moments of both humor and heartwarming growth. The book explores how Rebecca’s kindness and determination begin to influence the lives of those around her.
The novel “Bag of Bones” by Stephen King tells the story of Mike Noonan, a writer struggling with the death of his wife and a creative block. He retreats to their summer home in western Maine, but the house seems haunted, and the small town hides dark secrets.
As Mike uncovers the sinister history of the area, he becomes entangled with a young widow, her daughter, and a bitter custody battle that spirals into something far more chilling.
The novel “Emmeline” by Judith Rossner tells the story of a young girl sent to work in a textile mill in Maine during the 1830s. Naive and eager to help her struggling family, Emmeline’s life takes a dramatic turn after an affair leads to heartbreaking consequences.
The book follows her journey through loss, resilience, and a confrontation with her past.
“Off Season” by Jack Ketchum is a brutal horror novel set in a remote Maine town. The story focuses on a group of vacationers staying in a secluded cabin. Their peaceful getaway turns into a nightmare when a clan of cannibals stalks and attacks them.
The book is intense and unflinching, showing the group’s desperate fight for survival against unimaginable violence.
Rachel Field wrote “Calico Bush,” a historical novel set in 18th-century Maine. The story follows Marguerite, a French girl who becomes an indentured servant to a pioneer family.
As they settle into their new home, Marguerite faces challenges like isolation, harsh winters, and tensions with the local Indigenous people. Her resilience and courage are at the heart of the story, showing how she finds her place in a world that feels foreign and unwelcoming.
The book “Hitty, Her First Hundred Years” by Rachel Field tells the story of a wooden doll named Hitty and her adventures over a century. Hitty recounts her life as she passes through different owners and travels to far-off places, from Maine to exotic lands.
Starting as a treasured companion to a girl from a seafaring family, the doll experiences shipwrecks, new cultures, and the shifting worlds of the people who come to own her. Her point of view offers a unique glimpse into history and human connections across time and place.
The book “The Ravenous” by T. M. Gray takes place in a small Maine town haunted by strange disappearances and an eerie history. When a group of friends stumbles across an abandoned mansion, they uncover dark secrets tied to the supernatural.
The story weaves together the town’s past and the growing sense of unease as the truth about the mansion is revealed.
The book “The Sign of the Beaver” by Elizabeth George Speare tells the story of Matt, a young boy left to guard his family’s cabin in the Maine wilderness while his father fetches the rest of the family.
As Matt struggles to survive, he meets Attean, a Native American boy from the local tribe, who teaches him essential survival skills.
Their friendship grows as they share their knowledge and face challenges together, offering a glimpse into cultural differences and mutual respect during colonial times.
“Tinkers” by Paul Harding tells the story of George Crosby, a clock repairman who is near the end of his life. As he drifts in and out of consciousness, memories of his father, Howard, resurface.
Howard was an epileptic peddler who disappeared from George’s life many years before. The novel moves between George’s reflections and Howard’s stories, painting a picture of a family shaped by time, nature, and loss.
Aoibheann Sweeney wrote “Among Other Things, I’ve Taken Up Smoking,” a story about a young woman named Miranda, who grows up on a secluded island off the coast of Maine with her reserved father.
After years of isolation, she moves to New York City, uncovering secrets about her family and her own identity. The book weaves themes of love, belonging, and self-discovery against the backdrop of both rugged Maine shores and urban life.
Elisabeth Ogilvie’s “The Dawning of the Day” captures life on Bennett’s Island, a fictional Maine community shaped by its isolation and traditions.
The story focuses on Philippa Marshall, a young teacher who arrives on the island and becomes part of its close-knit yet wary population.
As she navigates her new surroundings, the challenges of island life and her growing connection to the people reveal her resilience and determination. The harsh beauty of the Maine coast is ever-present, setting the stage for questions of belonging and perseverance.
The book “Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea” by Ashley Herring Blake follows Hazel, a twelve-year-old girl grappling with loss after a family tragedy.
She moves to a small Maine town with her mother, where she meets a spirited girl named Lemon who introduces her to local legends about a mythical mermaid.
As Hazel navigates new friendships and the pull of the past, the story explores healing and the sea’s quiet pull on her life.
The novel “This Other Eden” by Paul Harding is inspired by the story of Malaga Island off the coast of Maine. It follows a small, racially mixed community living in isolation on an island for generations.
Their world is upended when outside forces begin to threaten their way of life, bringing upheaval and challenges to their tight-knit group.
Harding paints a vivid picture of this community’s struggle with belonging, resilience, and the erasure of identity in the face of prejudice.