Castine’s free book exchange, The Book Boat, lives on the town dock from Memorial Day through Indigenous Peoples’ Day and lives up at Compass Rose Books during the rest of the year. 

You’ll find a little bit of everything, from children’s books to maritime adventures to short stories, cookbooks and the classics. 

Reading, we think, is in itself an act of resistance these days. There are so many distractions, so many things vying for our attention and less perceived time for deep reading.  Dedicating the time to read, to explore new ideas, to learn new stories, or to get lost in old favorites, that is the radical act we encourage with The Book Boat.

Picking up a book is as easy as picking up your phone- and its free. If you don’t like it, put it back. If you like it take it with you.  When you’re done, keep it- or bring it back!

Have a book or two you want to pass along? Drop them off at The Book Boat for the next curious reader.