Soft Cover’s Guide to Bookstores in the Twin Cities
Honest reviews to plan your next indie bookstore visit
As a Twin Cities transplant, I’ve spent the last two years making first (and second and third and so on) impressions of the plethora of local indie bookstores. I feel both lucky and overwhelmed at times by the amount of choice at my fingertips. Therefore, I felt an imperative as part of running a Twins Cities’ based book club to provide a guide for everyone from the weekend traveler to the longtime Twin Cities’ resident.
I won’t keep you too long here but if you only have one or two bookstores you can visit from this list, check out Magers and Quinn and Birchbark books. Now on to the list which is divided by “New, Generalist”, “New, Contemporary Focus”, “New, Niche”, and “Used”. Although important to note that most new book focused bookstores here have used book sections.
Behold Soft Cover’s Guide to Bookstores in the Twin Cities:
New, Generalist
SubText Books (St. Paul, Downtown)
I’ve been vocal that this is my favorite bookstore in the Twin Cities
The book recommendations (i.e. curated displays, staff picks) are elite for both fiction and non-fiction
Well balanced selection of fiction and non-fiction (and a small used book section!)
We are having a Pride book club event here on Tuesday, June 23rd (You can learn more or register at Softcoverbookclub.com).
Magers and Quinn (South Uptown-ish)
Possibly the largest and most well-known book store in the Twin Cities. Absolutely endless selection of books.
This is the type of store you go into without a time budget or specific goal in mind. Just accept that the best experience is just vibes.
Don’t sleep on the front of the store that has history, photography, travel.
This is not going to have the small store curation but that’s not the point
They do have used titles toward the back of the store
Milkweed Editions (Downtown Minneapolis)
The flagship bookstore for Milkweed Editions publishing
Last time I was here, I got recommended some wonderful poetry collections by the staff (genuinely excited to give recommendations)
This is located in the “Open Book” which shares space with the Minneapolis Center for Book Arts
Across from store there is a shop for the Center for Book Arts and a coffee shop in the same building (got a five-spice latte which was amazing but almost bankrupted me)
Also if you are local to the Twin Cities there is a Milkweed book club that I recommend checking out
New, Contemporary Focus
Acorn Bookshop (St. Paul, Northeast/St. Anthony neighborhood)
Newest bookstore to the Twin Cities
This is a bookstore to go to with the whole family (they have a little alcove for kids to read in)
Balanced selection of contemporary lit for adults and YA/children’s books
Pro-tip: Go and get a sweet treat from the Finnish Café across the street after
Next Chapter Books (St. Paul)
Excellent genre diverse selection of contemporary lit, especially the horror, sci-fi, mystery sections were well stocked and curated which you don’t always get in general contemporary bookstores
Smartly curated store, for example, they had a dedicated table for translated works
Leans less heavy on non-fiction but there is still a selection on the left-hand side of the store for contemporary non-fiction
Comma, a Bookshop (West of Lake Harriet)
This is going to have a great selection of new releases and contemporary lit
Wild Rumpus is also nearby for the kids
I haven’t gone to this bookstore a ton just because it is farther from where I live but they often have booths at events
Moon Palace Books (Minneapolis, a little west of Longfellow neighborhood)
This is a queer staple in the Twin Cities with contemporary works and although I have not confirmed this myself, reviews say this also has a solid kids section
My favorite part of Moon Palace is the community focus and all of the offered events / book club opportunities
Note that they do require masks
If you check out Moon Palace, Uncle Hugo’s/Uncle Edgar’s is basically across the street (see more info further on this list)
Storyline Books
This is a very curated selection of contemporary works so if you are looking for trending titles, this is the spot
They have a resident bookstore cat named Baggins, that is all you need to know
New, Niche (might be bias but this is kind of where the magic happens)
Birchbark Books (Kenwood neighborhood – West of Lake of the Isles)
Founded by Louise Eldrich and focused on Native American literature and culture
You can easily lose track of time in this beautiful shop
Excellent curation of native authors both fiction and non-fiction
Last time I visited, I picked up “The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee”
This is a gem and a unique, iconic bookstore to the Twin Cities. Even if you just choose one or two bookstores to visit in the Twin Cities, I recommend this be on that list.
Black Garnet Books (St. Paul, off of University Ave.)
One of few black owned bookstores in the entire state
Unmatched contemporary lit and non-fiction selection by BIPOC authors
This is one of those bookstores to explore, investigate books you haven’t heard of, find something unexpected
The last time I was at Black Garnet I purchased “Death Takes Me” by Cristina Rivera Garza
Tropes and Trifles (Howe neighborhood)
This is the first romance specific bookstore in the Twin Cities. The romance genre selection in this store is unmatched and overall, this store has been insanely popular since opening two years ago
As a queer person, my favorite part of this store is that they have queer titles mixed into the general selection but you can identify queer stories with a sticker
Uncle Hugo’s/Uncle Edgar’s
A sci-fi, horror/thriller, mystery specific bookstore with a huge selection of books both new and used
Don’t sleep on the insane sales on the mass paperbacks they have (have fun with it)
They moved to this location after regrouping from a fire that occurred in 2020
This store didn’t have the most labels to figure out what was where BUT I think that is part of the experience to wander about and see what calls to you
May Day Books (Near Downtown Minneapolis)
This is going to be the best selection of leftist works in the Twin Cities both historical and contemporary (also a growing fiction section)
This is a resource for anyone looking for popular contemporary works like The Shock Doctrine or anyone that wants to start reading more political philosophy or primary texts
Remember this is cash only!
Boneshaker Books (Lowry Hill / Whittier)
Very curated selection of contemporary (only) non-fiction with leftist leaning (almost too curated?)
Half of the store is local art and other odds and ends that is fun to browse
Volunteer run and required masks!
Used book focus
Half Price Books (St. Paul)
Incredibly wide selection of used books fiction and non-fiction
Often has great selections of used but newer titles and multiple copies for way less
I like to start in the fiction section which is on the lower level and then to the non-fiction on the first floor toward the back left of the store and then onto sci/fi horror in the middle of the store
This is a place you are going to find contemporary titles for way less and not feel bad about buying a pile of books
Irreverent Bookworm (Near-ish Lake Nokomis)
Mostly used book store with some new titles sprinkled in.
Excellent selection of contemporary, classic, and genre fiction and non-fiction for a used book store.
The standout here is the humorous sections that make this a fun experience whether you have something specific in mind or just there for vibes
And also a shout out to a few shelves a staff-pick
s
Against the Current
Exclusively a used book store focused on non-fiction
Small but packed with books, sometimes in boxes (adds to the experience)
The way I can describe this place is like going on an anthropological dig for niche non-fiction you didn’t know existed
Here are some bookstores next on my list to visit and review:
Big Hill Books
Strive Bookstore
Paperback Exchange
Comment any bookstores I should visit this year and add to the list!
