Top Books to Read While Traveling in Maine
A good book is similar to a vacation in that it allows readers to escape, explore, and experience new places. Books and travel have existed as a harmonious couple for as long as anybody can remember. They broaden your understanding of a destination, keep you company on a lengthy trip, and compelling storylines bring a state or country’s past to life. This is why we made this list of books to read when traveling in Maine.
With its rich history and gorgeous vistas, it’s no surprise that New England is frequently used as a setting for great historical books and fact-based fiction.
If you’re planning a vacation to:
- Maine’s rocky beaches
- Distinctive candy-striped lighthouses
- Hiking the famous Appalachian Trail
You’ll like reading factual and fictional descriptions of the state’s history, culture, and people.
Before you board the aircraft, here’s a comprehensive reading list to help you prepare for your upcoming trip to Maine.
Remember that if you are a citizen from a Visa Waiver Country wanting to visit Maine, you don’t need to apply for a visitor visa. Instead, you should apply for an ESTA US visa waiver and enter the US without much hassle.
The List of Books you Should Read
Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods
Thousands of hikers set out to complete the massive Appalachian Trail every year. Only around 10% of those that attempt to complete it reach the trail’s final destination, Maine.
A thru-hiker should expect to spend between 5 and 7 months hiking the entire trail. Of course, you don’t have to walk the entire 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail to appreciate its parts in Maine.
Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods will please you whether you plan to endure the entire thing or not. The book is a fast-paced and hilarious autobiographical book. It follows Bryson as he strives to complete the trail with the help of a buddy.
The book offers both a hilarious and educational description of the trail’s history, ecology, and legacy through the engaging tone and unique voice Bryson has come to be recognized for.
John Irving’s The Cider House Rules
Maine’s orchards and fields drew impoverished and suffering migrant workers from around the state in the first half of the century.
The Cider House Rules is set in one of Maine’s iconic seaside communities and chronicles the coming-of-age narrative of a young man named Homer Wells.
This classic American novel is a quintessential example of pre- and post-World War II historical fiction. The rich story raises painful questions about love, life, and the essence of morality.
Henry David Thoreau’s The Maine Woods
Maine’s wildness has long inspired writers and artists from all walks of life, including Henry David Thoreau. In 1850, inspired by the region’s natural splendor, he wrote “The Maine Woods.”
Thoreau’s relevance for Maine’s great outdoors is embedded in the book, which praises the beauty and vitality of nature itself. Thoreau’s honest and organic descriptions, as well as the recounting of his experiences in the outback, will appeal to nature lovers and casual hikers alike.
Colin Woodard’s The Lobster Coast
Fishing is more than just a relaxing pastime in Maine; it has historically played an essential role in the state’s culture and economy.
The Lobster Coast is a detailed and insightful book that provides an educated portrayal of Maine’s history, fishing economy, and cultural features.
It is thick with information on the region’s politics and economy. But it is also an enjoyable read written from a journalistic perspective. There really are no better books to read if you want to learn about Maine’s history before you go.