I'm not so good at what the kids call "reading" but I do drink water, and when I was bored and…read morethirsty at MSP, I stopped in here. Now, because it's not NYC, you can't get a decent bottle of seltzer anywhere outside of the tri-state region so I had to settle for a lame ass and very non-fizzy Perrier. But , I'm a pioneer so I forged ahead with the Perrier. When the cashier went to ring it up, he knocked it off the counter. Anticipating that it would be shaken and explosive, he went to the case and got me another one! How's that for service!? I thought that was exceptional. If and when I choose to learn to read and if I'm ever flying anywhere via MSP, I vow to come back here and pay homage to the exceptional cashier at Author's Bookstore.

NIce little bookstore with some cool decorations on the outside. It's two stores in one; an…read moreAuthors bookstore on the left with bestsellers, periodicals, and a decent selection of fiction and nonfiction and a Red Balloon children's bookshop on the right. They're connected by the registers and a small drink and snack area. I bumped it down a star since it's a franchise of HMS Host but their association with a local children's book store bumped it back up to four stars. The staff was friendly and engaging.

Press Release - A Few Fruits and An Onion Author Clifton…read moreBrusso, a direct descendant of the Great Author Alexandre Dumas, creator of The three Musketeers has released his novel which is published by Page Publishing, Inc., 646-568-2144. ISBN 1640277153. His book shows how unpredictably fate can turn anyone's life in circles and it is a fast moving high adventure mystery-comedy thriller, about two call girls. One person ends up in a tornado and one disappears under suspicious circumstances. A storm occurs while all of them are headed through Wisconsin. Bodies are uncovered but whose bodies are they? The Ex-Detectives Agency whose motto is 'You hide the body and we will find it and you' gets involved in finding the person who is taken by the tornado and the one who is missing. Relationships develop throughout the novel. The story takes you through a comedy mix of characters and circumstances. Enjoy the hilarious adventures of these misfits as they try to survive.

Awesome selection! Love this little bookstore, and since it's Louise Erdrich's, there are tons of…read moresigned copies of her books

I stopped here as part of the Indie Bookstore Passport tour, and was struck by what a great…read morebookstore and gift shop this was. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and asked about what bookstores I've traveled to so far. The store is very close the Bde Maka Ska lake, and would make a great stop if on a bike ride around the Minneapolis lakes. Today, I drove and didn't have a problem finding parking on the street. The bookstore specializes in Native American voices and handmade arts. The interior of the store is really interesting to look at; there's a handmade canoe hanging from the ceiling and lots of handmade crafts throughout the store. I think Louise Erdrich, who is an author I enjoy, owns the store.

It's the perfect marriage of food and gossip. It's a great way to find out what's really opening…read moreand closing. They had a closer relationship with Yelp when Aaron Landry was in town, it seems he's in Hawaii now. There is so much to read on this site you'll get info overload, and manage to have a couple of hours pass by. The name is so Minnesotean, and we're lucky to have them. I think the website and photography of food and restaurants is gorgeous. I find the restaurant reviews are just as reliable as Yelp. Great to have on facebook and the newsletter, too. I'd like to see them continue the Yelp relationship.

Single best food resource hub online. I read the Churn ("skimming the cream of local food news")…read morereligiously. Minnesota is lucky to have this site.

This was my third stop on the Indie Bookstore Passport tour. This store is such a delight, as all…read moreof the books are exclusively part of the mystery/thriller/crime genre, which is my favorite to read! I've been here before, but this was the first time I checked out the annex portion of the store, which houses used books. If you are seeking a mystery book, this is the place to go as they've got it all. The prices of the used books were higher than I would have expected (nearly $14 for a used hardcover), but the selection makes it worth it. I liked the cute seating area in the annex a lot it looked very comfy. There is street parking near the store, but it's on a very busy street. That busy street made it feel like I was part of the video game Frogger trying to get back into traffic after parking!

Great spot for a Mystery fan. Love love love this store…read more I've always walked past and seen the sign and decided to stop in today. It's an unassuming looking store from the outside but once inside. You can tell they have a solid selection. It was filled top to bottom with shelves. They also take Apple Pay which is nice! There's another room called the Annex. You can ask to see. They will take you through a door down a hallways and into the room. Here you can find first editions of mystery books. Or even books written as far back as the 40s! Solid store. Decent prices! They also gave a book club which meets on certain days. Check it out

Lovely little bookshop with an impeccable vibe--wish I lived nearby to check out the many book…read moreclubs! The collection is small but representative, and they have a fun collection of cards, stickers, and other merch. Also just a nice place to be--everyone who came in seemed friendly and thoughtful and got excellent, individualized service.

Comma is a retail bookstore in Minneapolis occupying a footprint of, I don't know, maybe 800 square…read morefeet. While the local narrative often emphasizes the importance of supporting independent shops, my recent visit suggests that this ideal may come at a significant cost to the consumer in terms of utility, comfort, and value. Logistics and Facilities The physical experience of visiting Comma is just abrasive. Parking in the immediate vicinity is difficult, which sets a frustrating tone before one even enters the building. Once inside, the limitations of the tiny floorspace become apparent. The selection is, by necessity, terribly limited. If you are searching for a specific title or a deep dive into a particular genre, this is statistically the last place you should look. Furthermore, the store offers no public restroom, a lack of basic facility that limits the duration and comfort of any visit. Atmosphere and Price The retail environment lacks any auditory masking. There is no background music, resulting in a deafening silence that feels more awkward than contemplative. Every book in the inventory is sold at full retail price. This raises a fundamental question regarding the "buy local" movement: what is the point of a business that offers less selection and higher prices than its competitors? We often speak of a duty to support small bookstores, but we must ask if that duty outweighs the consumer's right to find what they need at a competitive price. Service and Philosophy During my visit, I purchased several books at full price, yet the employee on duty was rude. This interaction highlights the core issue: a business is a business, regardless of its size. If a shop cannot provide a pleasant environment, a robust inventory, or even basic courtesy, its status as "local" should not exempt it from criticism. Conclusion The romanticized ideal of the small neighborhood bookstore needs to be re-examined when the reality is a lack of selection and poor service. I am officially putting a "comma" on my support of this specific model of local commerce. I spent my money here this time, but I will not be returning to this particular business. Ever. Consider that a "period." For those who prioritize finding the books they actually want without unnecessary hurdles, there are better options available.

Local shop. Excellent service with recommendations from staff. They even gift wrap for free…read more A delightful shopping experience!

Super cute book store in grand avenue and I would definitely recommend. This is a book store that…read morespecializes in children's books with a small section of young adult. Prices are good and staff are very nice. Definitely a fun place to go with a lot of events and activities .

I like to buy books here. It feels good to shop local and see what books are highlighted in a store…read moreless overwhelming than a place like HPB or B&N. I've found the pricing to be as expected contrary to the other review on here. I've picked some books myself doing window shopping, but asked for a recommendation from a staff member and she suggested Running with Sherman - I was a bit skeptical but can attest that it was a tremendous book. Would recommend both the shop and the book. A nice place to check out if you're in downtown WBL. It would be cool if they had a space to hang out and read or for books clubs etc. I'd love to see that addition - not the space since I don't know how that would be possible, but a book club. Could be at Anchor coffee down the street - another local favorite.

I visited Lake Country Booksellers last year while on a trip to Minnesota - they were so lovely and…read morehave a bunch of fun crafty gifts and such in addition to books, of course! I got some great things for my family, who wasn't on the trip with me, and my son looooves his "Where's the Penguin" book. They clearly care a lot about their community and I hope they continue to thrive as a neighborhood gem. Shop local!!

Such a gem! I recently stayed in downtown Minneapolis for a work trip and I always check for…read morebookstores in the area whenever I travel. I was so excited to learn of a black woman owned indie bookstore just a short walk from my hotel! Located in the Skyway, you can access via the Skyway or the street. It can be tricky to find using Google/Apple Maps from inside the Skyway. The app doesn't get a good signal inside, so it's easier to find from the street if you're unfamiliar with the Skyway. I got lost and asked the security guards in the mall for directions and they told me that all the bookstores downtown closed after the pandemic. I'm so glad I didn't listen to them and set off outside to find my way. Once I arrived after a 5 minute walk from the Marquette Hotel, I was in a book lovers dream! The bookstore is filled with an array of inventory, including local books, classics, new releases, children & teen books, accessories like bookmarks and stickers and even things for the home like candles and sage bundles. The owner, Miss Mary is just delightful. She introduced herself and we chatted for a while and let me know she was available if I needed help, I also noticed that she gave me space to browse freely and take in everything the store had to offer. If you are local, or visiting the area, please do yourself a favor and stop in to check out Strive Bookstore. We need to support our indie bookstores now more than ever!

Ashamed to say that I paid this store my first visit this past week especially with how long…read morethey've been open. I needed to escape my home and walked downtown. Popped in here for a totally unplanned visit and if they weren't closing in an hour it would have been really hard for me to leave. What a comforting corner in what can sometimes be gloomy downtown Minneapolis. Solid book collection. Found out they host book clubs and you can even start your own and host it there. There's tons of comfy seating. Bonus points that it's black owned! Will be back!