Every state is known for something. As you work your way through the list, don't miss the best books set in Maine.
Maine, the northeasternmost U.S. state, is known for its rocky coastline, maritime history, and nature areas like the granite and spruce islands of Acadia National Park. Moose are plentiful in Baxter State Park, home to Mt. Katahdin, the endpoint of the Appalachian Trail.
Lighthouses such as the candy-striped beacon at West Quoddy Head, dot the coast, as do lobster shacks and sandy beaches like Ogunquit and Old Orchard.
Best Books Set in Maine
The Cider House Rules
Author: John Irving
This is the screenplay of the novel “The Cider House Rules”. Set in the rural town of Maine, this tale follows the bizarre story of Hormer Wells, from his apprenticeship in the orphanage surgery to his adult life running a cider-making factory and the relationship he has with his wife's best friend.
Empire Falls
Author: Richard Russo
Empire Falls, Maine: once a thriving hub of industry, this small town nestles in a bend of the vast and winding Knox River, and has always been the empire of the wealthy Whiting family. Now the last Mrs. Whiting presides like a black widow spider over its declining fortunes.
Olive Kitteridge
Author: Elizabeth Strout
At times stern, at other times patient, at times perceptive, at other times in sad denial, Olive Kitteridge, a retired schoolteacher, deplores the changes in her little town of Crosby, Maine, and in the world at large, but she doesn’t always recognize the changes in those around her: a lounge musician haunted by a past romance; a former student who has lost the will to live; Olive’s own adult child, who feels tyrannized by her irrational sensitivities; and her husband, Henry, who finds his loyalty to his marriage both a blessing and a curse.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Strout, Elizabeth (Author)
Olive, Again
Author: Elizabeth Strout
“Olive is a brilliant creation not only because of her eternal cantankerousness but because she’s as brutally candid with herself about her shortcomings as she is with others.
Her honesty makes people strangely willing to confide in her, and the raw power of Ms. Strout’s writing comes from these unvarnished exchanges, in which characters reveal themselves in all of their sadness and badness, and confusion.
The great, terrible mess of living is spilled out across the pages of this moving book. Ms. Strout may not have any answers for it, but she isn’t afraid of it either.”—The Wall Street Journal
Maine
Author: J. Courtney Sullivan
This breakout New York Times bestseller from the celebrated author of Commencement and The Engagements, introduces four unforgettable women and the abiding, often irrational love that keeps them coming back, every summer, to Maine and to each other.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Shreve, Anita (Author)
The Weight of Water
Author: Anita Shreve
The Weight of Water is a 1997 bestselling novel by Anita Shreve. Half of the novel is historical fiction based on the Smuttynose Island murders, which took place in 1873.
Now that you've completed the list of best books set in this state, why not check out some others? Here are the Best Books Set in All 50 States.
DOWNLOAD AND PRINT BOOKS SET IN ALL 50 STATES
Click here to download the printable. It has a list of books in all 50 states including the Best Books Set in Maine.
If you enjoyed this list, I have a monthly membership for parents and educators that want to teach or supplement lessons with shows and movies.
“I absolutely love sharing movies with my kids as a way to teach them valuable lessons. It's like this awesome bonding experience where we all snuggle up on the couch with some popcorn, and I get to see their little faces light up with curiosity. Whether it's a classic with timeless morals or a new animated flick with hidden gems of wisdom, it's a fantastic way to impart important life lessons in a fun and engaging way. Plus, the post-movie discussions are priceless – hearing their take on the characters and the story adds a whole new dimension to our family time.” –a Homeschooling parent
With Homeschooling with Shows and Movies membership, you will get resources every month, including:
- List of This Month’s Suggested Themes
- List of Monthly Observances
- List Of Movies for Unit Study
- Unit Study Resource
- Seasonal Activities (minimum of three)
- (BONUSES) Resources for you, the teacher
These resources are worth it if you'd like to easily incorporate shows and movies into your homeschooling.
Related Posts:
- Halloween Baking Shows on Hulu
- Black Documentaries on Hulu
- Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler Movies
- Mary McLeod Bethune Movies
- 9 Summer Camp Movies on Netflix
- Listen to these 44 Books that Became Movies
- 11 Awesome Books that Became Movies
- 22 Banned Books You Can Watch as Movies
- 20 Books to Read Aloud and Watch the Movie
Further Reading About the State:
- Frommer's Maine Coast (Complete Guide)
- Maine Bucket List Adventure Guide: Explore 100 Offbeat Destinations You Must Visit!
- Fodor's Maine Coast: with Acadia National Park (Full-color Travel Guide)
- Maine Bucket List Adventure Guide: Explore 100 Offbeat Destinations You Must Visit!
- Explorer's Guide Maine (Explorer's Complete)
- A Full List of All of The Equalizer Movies (Updated for 2025) - July 29, 2025
- A Full List of All of The Flash Movies - July 21, 2025
- 10+ Healthy Seasonings For Popcorn - February 3, 2025