Next stop is the Twin Cities as Reading Group Choices continues our Book Group City Tour in Minnesota!
The reputation of the Twin Cities as a literary hub is well known. Consistently ranked among the most literate cities in the country, boasting a large community of independent publishers including Coffeehouse, Milkweed, the University of Minnesota Press and Graywolf, and supported by a lively center for writers and writing, The Loft, which hosts the annual Wordplay literary festival … readers (and writers) have many reasons to feel at home here in Minneapolis and St. Paul!
So where to go to find other readers when you want some bookish conversation? As always, Reading Group Choices surveyed the city to find novel options for joining a book group. Start reading and discussing!
Birchbark Books
Birchbark Books is an independent bookstore in Minneapolis owned by author Louise Erdrich that seeks to nourish and build a community based on books. Birchbark is a Native-owned bookstore that frequently hosts author events with Native and non-Native authors alike. What’s more, Birchbark even has a treehouse in the middle of the store, which makes for the perfect reading nook! This is truly a one-of-a-kind bookstore that you won’t want to miss on your next trip to the Twin Cities.
Birchbark Books is located at 1629 Hennepin Ave #275, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Black Garnet Books
Black Garnet Books sells new, contemporary books by authors and illustrators of color in their sleek, modern space. This indie bookstore encourages learning, joyful interactions, and communal care for all visitors, making it a welcoming environment for every single reader who walks through its doors. Black Garnet also offers a host of events, so check out their event calendar often to see if there’s an event suited for your reading group!
Black Garnet Books is located at 1319 University Ave W., St. Paul, MN 55104
Eat My Words Bookstore
Located in the heart of northeast Minneapolis, Eat My Words specializes in used and rare books. Booksellers at Eat My Words have carefully curated an extensive selection of titles, including oddities, classics, and treasures. They also host frequent events, ranging from book launches and poetry readings to live concerts and puzzle clubs! Find an upcoming event that strikes your fancy on their Facebook page.
Eat My Words Bookstore is located at 214 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Magers & Quinn Booksellers
Did you know that Magers & Quinn is one of the largest independent bookstores in the Midwest? Magers & Quinn, located in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis, has sold new and used books for almost 30 years! Their in-store collection spans a wide range of genres and subjects, including many rare editions as well as current releases. Magers & Quinn offers many events, such as author readings and a monthly showcase featuring creative writing compositions by University of Minnesota MFA students. Don’t miss your chance to visit this iconic bookstore during your next trip to Minneapolis.
Magers & Quinn Booksellers is located at 3038 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Next Chapter Booksellers
Next Chapter Booksellers is pretty much the quintessential independent bookstore: as the largest independent bookstore in St. Paul, it features an impressive selection of new and best-selling titles for children, teens, and adults. Booksellers at Next Chapter provide reliable recommendations, so it’s the perfect place to find new books for yourself or a loved one as a holiday gift! And if you’re in the market for a new book club to join, look no further! Next Chapter has four book clubs that meet (at least) once every month: First Chapter Book Club (children’s picture books), Manga Book Club, Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club, and Enemies to Readers Book Club (romance). Join one, or join them all!
Next Chapter Booksellers is located at 38 Snelling Ave S, St. Paul, MN 55105
Wild Rumpus Books
Wild Rumpus is the perfect place to shop for readers of all ages. From a wide selection of children’s and middle-grade books to noteworthy adult fiction and non-fiction titles, Wild Rumpus has it all! Additionally, Wild Rumpus offers two book clubs: Wild Things (ages 6-9) and Purple Door (ages 9-12). In addition to participating in lively discussions, book club members also receive a 20% discount on book club titles! What could be better than that?
Wild Rumpus Books is located at 2720 West 43rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410
Red Balloon Bookshop
Red Balloon Bookshop is a must-stop on your next visit to St. Paul. Here, you can find a large selection of books for young readers through adults. In addition to shopping for the books of your dreams, at Red Balloon you can attend author readings and signings, order a Bookshop in a Box (a monthly subscription box with tailored book recommendations), or join an exciting new book club. Red Balloon offers the Teens Read Book Club for readers in grades 8-12 and the (Not-So) Young Adult Book Club for adults who love young adult literature.
Red Balloon Bookshop is located at 891 Grand Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105
Moon Palace Books
Open seven days a week and offering both new and used titles for sale, Moon Palace Books is a haven for readers. The store hosts a number of book groups, like Queer Book Club, which meets on the second Wednesday of every month. Anyone is welcome to join, regardless of how much of the book they’ve read! Moon Palace also hosts author readings and book launch events. Scroll through their list of events to find the perfect match!
Moon Palace Books is located at 3032 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Twin Cities Artful Book Club
This group, celebrating nine years, meets on the first Tuesday of the month on Zoom. The focus is on artists and the creative life, regardless of the medium: music, writing, painting, sculpting. The selections include fiction, nonfiction, memoir and biography. See the full list of past and upcoming reads, and watch a video with testimonials from the members, who share how the group has changed their literary life! And no worries: you don’t have to be an artist to join, only a reader with a curiosity about art.
Twin Cities Artful Book Club is currently meeting via Zoom. Interested in joining? Send an email to artfulbookclub@gmail.com.
Books & Bars
Join this group for a lively discussion of recent fiction and nonfiction in the company of good readers and good beer. Books & Bars usually meets twice a month, with a book discussion sandwiched by social time before and after! This book club—named the biggest and best book club in Minnesota—is free, open to the public, and celebrating its 20th year. Sometimes the book club is even joined by the author whose book they’re discussing! Check out their schedule to see when you can join, and be the first to know about their 2024 book club picks.
Hennepin County Library
Public libraries are always a great place to look when searching for a book group. And the Hennepin County Library is no exception! Themed clubs are housed in various branches around Minneapolis, so you can find a circle of readers close to your neighborhood (or venture abroad!).
The Nokomis Branch offers the Graphic Novel Book Club, a monthly book club that discusses graphic novels and comic books. The East Lake Branch hosts the Quick Reads Book Club, discussing new and interesting titles that are under 250 pages. And the Brooklyn Park location features the Historical Fiction Book Club, which highlights a new historical fiction title each month. Search the general events page to sort and discover more!
Still have some wanderlust? Take a trip through our other Book Group City Tour destinations!