How Many Books on Down East’s 100 Maine Books List Have You Read?
This post includes affiliate links. If you purchase something using one of these links, I’ll get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
This isn’t exactly a traditional recommendation post, but the Down East 100 Maine Books list can certainly give you a good starting point for Maine books to read. Have you read them all? More than half? Just the Stephen Kings and the ones we all read in school?
How many of these have I read? Not as many as I’d like to have - but hoping to change that and put up reviews and recommendations along the reading journey. Looking through this list, I realize quite a few that I have read deserve a re-read as my memory of them is hazy at best.
The list that follows are the books on Down East’s 100 Maine Books list that I’ve read; some with accompanying thoughts or opinions.
Almost Midnight, Paul Doiron Many of the Mike Bowditch books by Paul Doiron could be on this list. Fans of mysteries and thrillers will especially enjoy Almost Midnight - or any from the series.
Bag of Bones, Stephen King If you want to be terrified, bring this book with you to camp. If you want a scary but enjoyable read, enjoy it in the comfort of your year-round home, or in the bright sunshine of a crowded oceanside beach.
The Beans of Egypt, Maine, Carolyn Chute
Blueberries for Sal, Robert McCloskey A favorite of many a Maine child; the Robert McCloskey favorite will make young and old alike want to venture out into the blueberry fields and start picking (and eating).
The Burgess Boys, Elizabeth Strout We read this in book club, and while I enjoyed it the overall reviews from the group were mixed.
Carrie, Stephen King The book that started it all for the King of Horror.
Charlotte’s Web, E.B. White Salutations! If you haven’t read Charlotte’s Web yet, get to it. The classic children’s novel was inspired by the Blue Hill Fair.
The Cider House Rules, John Irving
Cooking Down East, Marjorie Standish I haven’t read this one so much as eaten my way through a good portion of it as a child growing up in Portland where the book was a mainstay in seemingly every kitchen I visited. Now, it’s on my own cookbook shelf. Shepherd’s pie, corn chowder, and ‘whoopsie’ pies are three of the most visited recipe pages.
The Country of the Pointed Firs, Sarah Orne Jewett
Dolores Claiborne, Stephen King One of the few on this list I’ve already reviewed! Review available here.
It, Stephen King Probably my least favorite of all the Stephen King books I’ve read.
Lost on a Mountain in Maine, Donn Fendler
The Maine Woods, Henry David Thoreau
Miss Rumphius, Barbara Cooney A beautifully written, beautifully illustrated children’s story whose poignant message resonates at any age. Once you’ve read this book, it’s hard not to think of the Lupine Lady as you drive through Maine in the spring and see the flowers along the roadside.
Olive Kitteridge, Elizabeth Strout Winner of the Pulitzer Prize.
One Man’s Meat, E.B. White You can’t go wrong with E.B. White’s essays.
One Morning in Maine, Robert McCloskey Another childhood favorite from Robert McCloskey. What a great morning those kids have - and then clam chowder for lunch!
A Seal Called Andre, Lew Dietz
The Sign of the Beaver, Elizabeth George Speare
Spoonhandle, Ruth Moore Simply put, a must-read. There’s not much I can add about the greatness of this book that hasn’t already been said since it was first published and spent three months on the New York Times bestseller list.
The Stranger in the Woods, Michael Finkel The tale of Maine’s North Pond Hermit - read my review of the book here.
When We Were The Kennedys, Monica Wood
Within Plain Sight, Bruce Robert Coffin
The Woman in the Woods, John Connolly John Connolly’s mix of crime and paranormal elements always means a good story awaits when you sit down with one of his books.
I’ve only read 29 of these books! Guess it’s time to get reading the other 71…plus the hundreds of others in the TBR pile.
Read Down East’s original list here: https://downeast.com/arts-leisure/100-maine-books/
This post includes affiliate links. If you purchase something using one of these links, I’ll get a small commission at no extra cost to you.