Compass Rose Books is an independent, year ‘round community-minded bookstore on lower Main Street in Castine, Maine. 

3 Main St has been home to an independent community bookstore for over 20 years. Compass Rose Books carries on long-established commitments to community and to the open exchange of ideas.

Independent bookstores in general are rooted in the economy and culture of their communities- that’s what makes each one unique. Independent bookstore owners are, in general, often rather introverted bookworms who would rather not talk about themselves when writing About pages for websites, but, since you asked:

I’m Johanna Barrett, a lifelong globetrotter and avid reader with a strong interest in local economies, international fiction, and all things related to forests and the ocean. I’ve daydreamed about owning a bookstore since childhood, when I roamed the old bookshops in Southern Germany, where I was born and raised. Since October 2018, I’ve been making that dream a reality here on the coast of Maine, offering a bright, airy space with a well curated collection, an intellectually inclusive space for discussion and curiosity that welcomes readers of all ages. Thank you for visiting and for supporting independent bookstores

Read On.