The MN Guide to Independent Bookstore Day 2024

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It’s that time of year! On April 27, 2024, bookstores throughout Minnesota and around the country will be celebrating Independent Bookstore Day.

Officially participating stores will have exclusive Independent Bookstore Day items while supplies last, which usually isn’t long—tote bags, advance reader copies (ARCs), fancy pencils, puzzles, and more—and may have sales and other special promotions. Locally, there are also 28 businesses participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport, which offers shoppers chances to unlock coupons and win prizes during the week leading up to Indie Bookstore Day (more information on that below). Other stores won’t be officially participating but are celebrating on their own. You can find all of them in this guide.

Recent Twin Cities bookstore news:

• The Vintage Storyteller, a bookstore and gift shop, opened in Maple Plain around the beginning of 2024
• Tropes & Trifles, the romance bookshop that started out as a pop-up in Standish, is officially permanent as of early April 2024
• Niche Books announced it will open in Lakeville in June 2024

Also since last Indie Bookstore Day, More Than Words opened in Moorhead, Big Hill Books opened in Minneapolis, and Strive Bookstore opened a new space on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis (all in summer 2023).

The Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport is back for another year and bigger than ever—pick one up at any of the participating metro-area stores, listed on the Rain Taxi website and noted in the listings below, now through April 28. Each store visit during this week earns you a passport stamp that activates a coupon you can use on another visit. Collect 15 stamps to activate all the coupons; collect all 28 stamps for a chance to win one of five literary prize packs or the grand prize: a set of books, one selected by each of the participating bookstores.

The Midwest Indie Bookstore Roadmap, created by the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association (MIBA), is also back. Aside from this being a great tool for finding a bookstore near you, you can win prizes by shopping at any of the stores featured on the roadmap (either online or in person) between April 27 and next year’s Independent Bookstore Day. Take a picture of your purchase and post it on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook with the hashtag #BookstoreRoadmap, plus tag the store and MIBA in the post. MIBA will randomly select one entry each month to win a $50 gift card to the bookstore of the winner’s choice—and on next year’s Indie Bookstore Day, one grand-prize winner from all of the year’s entries will win a $500 gift card. The more stores you shop at and tag, the more likely you are to win the grand prize. Because the Bookstore Roadmap includes most (but not all!) independent bookstores in the state, we haven’t noted participation in the list below.

As in the past, both the passport and the roadmap feature illustrations by Twin Cities cartoonist Kevin Cannon.

Nationally, Libro.fm, which allows you to buy audiobooks while supporting your favorite local bookstore, is having a sale on select bestselling titles from April 22 through April 27. Additionally, a golden ticket will be hidden in select bookstores, good for 12 audiobook credits on Libro.fm if you find it—see the listings below to see which stores are participating and find the full rules on the Libro.fm website.

For more news and info, follow IndieBound on social media or visit IndieBookstoreDay.com.

This list may be updated after initial publication as more information becomes available. All sales and events below are limited to April 27 except for the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport (as described above) and where otherwise noted.

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Minneapolis

Babycake’s Book Stack is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport. The mobile bookshop will be parked in the Moon Palace Books courtyard from 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Big Hill Books in Bryn Mawr is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport. All picture books will be 40% off, and select home goods and nonbook merchandise will be 20% off.

Birchbark Books in Kenwood is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and will be hiding a Libro.fm golden ticket. In addition to official Indie Bookstore Day items in the store, Birchbark has an online-exclusive Bonfire campaign for the store’s own new merch. Outside, weather permitting, there will be Fawkes Alley Coffee, a special jewelry pop-up sale, and a performance by the Braggarts Morris dancers around 11:00 a.m.

Boneshaker Books in Seward is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport.

The Book House in Dinkytown will be offering 20% off all books.

Comma in Linden Hills is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport, will be hiding a Libro.fm golden ticket, and will have official Indie Bookstore Day items and giveaways.

DreamHaven Books and Comics in South Minneapolis is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport. The store will also be giving out free books while supplies last—no purchase required.

Eat My Words Bookstore in Northeast will be hosting a reading from Terry Folz’s new poetry chapbook There Is No Moon with author Tom Cassidy from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

At the Irreverent Bookworm in South Minneapolis, store logo merch will be 10% off, and you’ll get a limited-edition sparkly Irreverent Bookworm sticker with any purchase while supplies last. The store is also hosting a pop-up shop where staff will be “pairing affordable and fun vintage finds with new and used books to match.”

Magers & Quinn Booksellers in Uptown is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport. Note that Hennepin Avenue is closed to vehicles between 26th and 31st, and Lake Street is down to one lane, but recommended parking for the store is not affected—see the Magers & Quinn website for details.

Mayday Books on the U of M’s West Bank is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and will be offering its usual discount of 15% off paperbacks and 20% off new hardcover books. Mayday Books accepts cash and check payments only.

Milkweed Books in the Open Book building near downtown Minneapolis is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport. The store will have treats and a number of promotions: buy three books, get a little surprise; buy four books, get a big prize; buy 10 or more books, get a “discount of a decent size”; and sign up for a Milkweed membership and get a free tote bag, a free copy of Diary of a Young Naturalist by Dara McAnulty, a bonus broadside, and a member discount.

The Open Book arts center, home to Milkweed Books. Madeleine Vasaly

Moon Palace Books in Longfellow is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport. Masks are required in this store.

Once Upon A Crime in Whittier is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and will be hosting Finnish author Antti Tuomainen at 4:00 p.m. to chat with customers and sign books. The store is normally closed Sundays but will be open April 28 for shoppers to come by and get their passports stamped.

Paperback Exchange in South Minneapolis is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and will be open expanded hours, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Strive Bookstore on Nicollet Mall is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and will have exclusive details while supplies last.

Tropes & Trifles, the formerly temporary and now permanent all-romance bookstore in Standish, is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport.

Uncle Edgar’s Mystery Bookstore and Uncle Hugo’s Science Fiction Bookstore in Longfellow is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport. Steven Brust will be signing Lyorn (his latest Vlad Taltos novel) from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., and Patricia C. Wrede will be signing The Dark Lord’s Daughter (her latest young adult novel) from 3:00 to 4:00. Uncle Hugo’s celebrated its 50th anniversary last month.

Wild Rumpus Books for Young Readers in Linden Hills is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and will be hiding a Libro.fm golden ticket. There will be official Indie Bookstore Day items, giveaways, and a button-making station while supplies last. Note that due to construction, the intersection at 43rd Street and Upton Avenue down the block from the store is closed to vehicle traffic but open to pedestrians—find access and parking information on the Wild Rumpus website.

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St. Paul

Black Garnet Books in the Midway neighborhood is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport. The store will be hosting a pop-up by the Bookish Baker as well as holding a raffle for a Black Garnet tote filled with staff picks—get one entry for every $50 you spend.

Next Chapter Booksellers in Macalester-Groveland is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and will have special free bookmarks.

Red Balloon Bookshop on Grand Avenue is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and will have official Indie Bookstore Day items, photo ops, scratch-offs and giveaways, and a make-your-own-shelf-talker activity throughout the day. There will be a story-time stretch and dance party at 9:45 a.m. before the store opens at 10:00, 2 Scoops Eatery on the patio from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., and a local author game show at 4:00 p.m.

SubText Books in downtown St. Paul is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and will be offering 10% off all shelf-talker titles, all signed copies, and all preorders.

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Greater Twin Cities Metro

Avant Garden in Anoka will be hiding a Libro.fm golden ticket.

Cream and Amber in Hopkins is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and will be hiding a Libro.fm golden ticket. The store will be offering 15% off all staff picks, drinks inspired by bestselling books, and live music on the patio from noon to 2:00 p.m.

Cream & Amber bookstore. Madeleine Vasaly

Excelsior Bay Books in Excelsior is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and will be hiding a Libro.fm golden ticket.

Lake Country Booksellers in White Bear Lake is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport. The store will be offering free advance reader copies, treats, and 10% off sales.

At Rabata Cultural Bookshop in Arden Hills, all bargain books will be buy one, get one free both in person and online.

The Thinking Spot in Wayzata is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and will be hiding a Libro.fm golden ticket. There will be freebies and raffle entries with purchase, early-bird and late-night specials, official Indie Bookstore Day items, a visit from Getty the reading therapy dog, and a toy demonstration by startup company SayKid. Find the full details on the store’s event page.

Valley Bookseller in Stillwater is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and will be hiding a Libro.fm golden ticket. There will be on-the-hour drawings in the store for Valley Bookseller gift cards as well as a gift card drawing for all website orders placed on Independent Bookstore Day. The store is also hosting author Sally Hepworth at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis at 11:00 a.m.

The Vintage Storyteller, a new bookstore in Maple Plain, is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport.

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Outside the Metro

The Amazing Alonzo is participating in a Duluth-only Independent Bookstore Day passport promotion with the Bookstore at Fitger’s and Zenith Bookstore—visit all three for discounts and prizes.

At Back Forty Books in Two Harbors, all new books will be 10% off and all used books will be 25% off. There will also be treats and ARC giveaways while supplies last.

Beagle and Wolf Books & Bindery in Park Rapids will be hiding a Libro.fm golden ticket. From noon to 2:00 p.m., authors Jeanne Cooney and Candace Simar will be signing copies of their new books; from 2:30 to 3:30, poets Charmaine Pappas Donovan, Dawn Loeffler, Laura Hansen, Ann Marie Newman, Shawna Bullen-Fairbanks, and Marlys Guimares will be reading. There will also be giveaways throughout the day, including 25 posters for Children’s Book Week.

Books Revisited in St. Cloud will be offering 20% off everything, plus giveaways and book-themed refreshments.

Buffalo Books & Coffee in Buffalo will be hiding a Libro.fm golden ticket and will have official Indie Bookstore Day items, activities, and giveaways, including a gift card drawing.

The Bookstore at Fitger’s in Duluth will be hiding a Libro.fm golden ticket and is participating in the Duluth-only Independent Bookstore Day passport promotion with the Amazing Alonzo and Zenith Bookstore—visit all three for discounts and prizes.

Chapter One in Victoria is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and will be hiding a Libro.fm golden ticket. There will be story time with author Cori Doerrfeld at 10:00 a.m. and a book signing with Megan Reinking from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Chapter Two in Redwood Falls will have gift bags and door prizes for customers.

Cherry Street Books in Alexandria will be hiding a Libro.fm golden ticket. Enter the store giveaway to win one free book a month for 12 months (no purchase necessary), and get 50% off a used book with the purchase of any new book. There will be face painting during story hour from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. (this week’s theme is bees).

Content Bookstore in Northfield is starting festivities early with special bookstore trivia on social media throughout the week. On Saturday, the store will have official Indie Bookstore Day items, and customers can get an IBD tote free when they spend $100 or more (or you can buy one for $15). Every purchase also enters you to win the Tote of Contentment, “a classy canvas bag of bookish riches that we promise will amaze and delight the lucky winner.” There will be a scavenger hunt running throughout the day—complete it for a “small bookish prize” (while supplies last). And readers of all ages can add to the store’s community bookshelf mural.

Driftless Books in Wabasha will be celebrating its eighth year in business.

Drury Lane Books in Grand Marais will have cookies and surprise giveaways all day. Local author and artist Betsy Bowen will do a meet-and-greet and printing press demonstration from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Fair Trade Books in Red Wing will be offering 20% off certified used puzzles and hosting “guest gifting,” where longtime customers gift newcomers their gift books.

Four Pines Bookstore in Bemidji will be hosting Richard Scarry story time at 10:00 a.m., meet-and-greets with five local authors between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and $5 and $10 sales on select books. Earn a giveaway entry with every purchase.

Haven Books and Gifts in Big Lake will be hiding a Libro.fm golden ticket.

At Little Professor Book Center in Owatonna, everything except magazines will be 20% off.

More Than Words in Moorhead will be hiding a Libro.fm golden ticket. Show a receipt from a purchase you’ve made at another local indie bookstore on Independent Bookstore Day to get $5 off any $25 purchase, receive a More Than Words 2024 Indie Bookstore Day sticker with any purchase of $10 or more, and earn $5 in “MTW bucks” for a future visit with the purchase of any store-branded merch.

Paperbacks and Pieces in Winona will be hiding a Libro.fm golden ticket. New and used books will be 15% off, other exclusive discounts and giveaways will be available, and shoppers will get a free advance reader copy with a $30 purchase and a free tote with a $50 purchase while supplies last. Authors Karen Dahl, Jacqueline West, and Jason Lee Willis will be in the store with their books, and the Coffee Camper will be on site selling drinks and treats from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Scout & Morgan Books in Cambridge will be hiding a Libro.fm golden ticket. All in-stock new and used books will be 20% off, official Independent Bookstore Day items will be available, and shoppers can get free books and gifts with book purchases.

Sweet Reads in Austin will have giveaways, prizes, and snacks while supplies last as well as two for one on used books. The store will be hosting authors A. J. Sullivan at 10:00 a.m. and Sara Broers at 1:00 p.m.

Twinflower Books will be running a pop-up at the Spring Artisan Indoor Market at Uncommon Loon Brewery in Chisago City from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Wildflower Bookshop in Grand Rapids will be hiding a Libro.fm golden ticket. The store is hosting authors Dick Nachbar from 10:00 a.m. to noon and Ashley Goodman from noon to 2:00 p.m., and Borealis Creamery will have a pop-up freezer at the shop.

The Willow Bookstore in Perham will be giveaway away a Big Pine Books sticker, an advance reader copy, and other Indie Bookstore Day freebies with every purchase will supplies last. The store will also have official Independent Bookstore Day items.

Zenith Bookstore in Duluth will have treats, animal story time with a live tortoise, free advance reader copies with purchase, and official Indie Bookstore Day items. Wear your Zenith shirt, hoodie, or hat or bring in your Zenith book bag and earn double points in the store’s rewards program ($20 instead of $10 for every $200 spent). The store is also participating in the Duluth-only Independent Bookstore Day passport promotion with the Amazing Alonzo and the Bookstore at Fitger’s—visit all three for discounts and prizes.

Other Minnesota bookstores to visit online or in person (be sure to check hours and operations) include:

• Against the Current (St. Paul)
• AJ’s Book Hideaway (Albert Lea)
• Black Letter Books (Stillwater)
• Bookshelves and Coffeecups (New Ulm)
• The Bookstore in Pine City
• Chapter 2 Bookstore (Winona)
• James and Mary Laurie Booksellers (Minneapolis)
• Lundeen’s (Fergus Falls)
• Midway Used and Rare Books (St. Paul)
• Other Skies Weird Fiction (West St. Paul)
• Turtle Town Books and Gifts (Nisswa)

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Outside Minnesota

Chapter2Books in Hudson, Wisconsin, is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport. Any purchase over $25 enters you in a drawing to win one of two “The Future Is Indie” T-shirts.

Dragonfly Books in Decorah, Iowa, will be hiding a Libro.fm golden ticket.

Driftless Books and Music in Viroqua, Wisconsin, is hosting a reading and release for Ring around the Moon by Greg Brown on Friday, April 26, at 7:00 p.m.

Ferguson Books in West Fargo will be hosting two authors, pastor Rollie Johnson from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and entrepreneur Bruce Gjovig from noon to 3:00 p.m.

Full Circle Book Co-Op in Sioux Falls will be having sales, all-day happy hour, and live music by the Shirks and Friends.

At Pearl Street Books in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, complete a scavenger hunt to enter to win one of two $25 gift certificates, and find one of four free hidden books in Kroner Hardware. The first 25 customers get a free cup of coffee with their purchase, and the 100th customer gets a $100 gift certificate. There will also be some snacks and seed packets available.

Silver Dawn Books in Grand Forks will be hosting a story time featuring Spring Stinks by Ryan Higgins and Abracadabra, It’s Spring! by Anne Sibley O’Brien at 11:00 a.m., and then a signing with poets Sierra Christenson, Autumn Seeley and Amanda Kiefer from noon to 2:00 p.m.

Happy reading!

Did we miss something? Let us know!