The Largest Vintage Bookstore In Maine Has More Than 40,000 Books

With the winter months upon us, we're looking for any excuse we can to stay inside cozied up with a good book. The chilly temps have given us a good excuse, but another good reason to stay indoors would be searching for that perfect book. If you've got all the makings of a perfect winter day indoors except something to read, you'll want to check out this shop in Portland. It's got so many titles for you to search through, you'll want to make a day of it!

Dating back to 1888, the three-story Victorian-era building that houses Carlson Turner Books is fun to see all on its own.

But there's no denying that the books inside are something special in their own right.

There are shelves and shelves of books here, all offering to take readers on a trip through time.

The regular reader will love their selection of general used books in categories such as travel, the Civil War, history, railroads and (our favorite subject!) Maine.

They also carry a selection of rare manuscripts, maps, photographs and fine art prints.

We love that they're constantly getting new items in from their dealers.

And the fun antique touches around the shop take this place from a regular store to a true experience.

This is a great place to visit if you're in the mood to get out of the house, but aren't entirely sure what you're looking for.

The smell of antique books, the friendliness of the shopkeepers and the fact that they even operate as a bookbindery making this a true rare gem in the Portland area.

Carlson Turner Books and Bookbindery is located at 241 Congress St., Portland. They're open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. They're closed on Monday. Learn more by visiting their website or following them on Facebook. They can be reached on 207-773-4200.

For more ways to fill up your library, check out this 14-room bookstore in Wells. Or, go straight to this converted chicken barn in Ellsworth.