Gulf of Maine

Gulf of Maine is one of my favorite indie bookstores anywhere!
There aren’t many places in Brunswick that date back to my youth that I can say that I’ve been a fan of and someone who shops there. Gulf of Maine. Not even Bull Moose has been around since 1979, like Gulf of Maine.
Back when my politics and literary tastes were still forming, I ventured into the store that Beth Leonard and Gary Lawless were running (on the other side of Maine Street, if I recall). They’ve managed to maintain a presence in downtown, long after many other similar stores have disappeared.
For me, there is no other bookshop that carries such a wide array of what I’d characterize as politically progressive books and authors – Noam Chomsky, Ward Churchill, Howard Zinn, Barbara Ehrenreich and a host of others. But to label G of M as merely a political bookseller misses the point entirely.
Both Gary and Beth carry a wealth of Maine writers, too. I mean, even a veritable unknown writer like me has had success selling his titles through their store. Plus, I now know who Ruth Moore his simply because Gary and Beth are a fan and I asked about the bumper sticker I saw on their car that read, «Read Ruth Moore.»
I believe that bookstores make communities richer, especially stores that don’t just cater to the lowest common denominator, or stock merely bestselling hacks and their trade paperbacks, not that there’s anything wrong with them.
The next time you are in downtown Brunswick, park your car on Maine Street, walk up and down the vibrant main thoroughfare, bordered by an ample village green, independently-​owned coffee shops and other unique shops, and make sure you stop in and see what a real bookstore looks like. That would be Gulf of Maine Books.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I walked in, but what I got was a zillion beautiful cards, cool conversation, dinner recommendations, books I had never heard of, local gossip, and a mini autobiography. I’m a little in love with this book store and its friendly proprietor, and you will be, too.

very knowledgeable staff. Solid selection of literature and poetry.

Do not miss this midcoast gem.
This store has a great selection. Lots of books you won’t find anywhere else, and if they don’t have what you want, they’ll order it. There’s a funky, laid-​back vibe, great music on the speakers, and the owner’s passion for books is infectious. Gulf of Maine typifies everything that is wondrous about independent, locally owned bookstores.