The most amazing selection of Leftist books, periodicals, and journals. Everybody was very kind - it is cash only so come prepared. Fantastic prices. If you voted for Biden or Trump this place is not for you, unless you are open to alternatives to the hellscape that is the Democratic and Republican parties. read more

All new books, no used ones that I saw. Very small place but had parking right out front. Lots of local and regional authors, good place to find unique books. They have a little comfy sitting area where you can curl up and decide what you want to leave with. read more

This bookstore took us a hot second to find. It's located downstairs on the corner. It's rather hard to find while driving! Upon a brisk walk inside, we found a small, shoddy selection of books, and 99% of those were radical books--not the kind of place to peruse for hours. The atmosphere was incredibly unwelcoming. There was a woman who sat at a table and stared at us the entire time--didn't say anything, smile, nothing. I have no idea if she was a staff member or not. But we could hear someone vacuuming in the back. No one greeted us. We couldn't get out of there fast enough! read more

Mayday Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I love the progressive bookstore scene and this place is close to the top of the list. Found a number of books I'd put on my Amazon wish list. A very good selection on a number of topics. The only downside is they don't take CC's but then if they did it wouldn't make them very authentic. Great store. read more

I happened to be in the area (at the Wienery) and saw the sign for this store. I made a mental note and went back later in my trip. This store is downstairs, below sidewalk level, under a bike shop. It's a single, large rectangular room with bookshelves all around the perimeter. The books are of a radical/leftist bent. They managed to not make me feel out of place, even though I'm sure I looked like The Man since I went there still wearing work clothes. I like alternative book stores, but this one seems somewhat stuck in the past. They appear to be a non-profit, and sell everything at a 15% discount below the listed price printed on the book. I found one book which discussed several famous 'zines from the 60s and paid the man behind the counter. Tip: there is a tiny parking lot behind the store with (I believe) a SINGLE parking space for Mayday Books, so you may get lucky. You'll probably have to park in the street though. read more

Mr. Craig was one of the most courteous and friendliest man I have met in my trip to Minnesota. It's not a huge bookstore or big bookstore by any means, but it's worth a check out. I'm very satisfied with my experience even though it was short lived. read more

Amazing place with great deals. Could easily spend $500 here and be happy to do it. Man running the register was helpful and friendly. Will make this my go-to for progressive books. read more

Jackpot for politically charged or human rights literature. Conservatives and Trump supporters beware! (I say this simply because the genres, posters, fliers, etc would irritate such individuals.) I was in the area, so I decided to pop in to see what they're all about. I'm not big on politically charged literature, but I could certainly see where such individuals would love this place. It's a very small, independent, studio-sized bookstore in the basement. Most of the books are new, and they are always 15% off the cover price. There is also a small shelf of gently used books. Genres included War, African America History, Media, Women's Rights, etc. Now I know where to go when I want to learn more about a social justice or human rights issue! read more

I have never felt more square in a bookstore before. old dude reading in the corner looked at me like I was wearing pleated khaki pants and boat shoes with a cardigan tied about my neck and a gold watch. Jesus. I think I woke him up, and he lurched to stand officially behind the counter and resumed reading there. Seriously radical stuff in here. Edgy. Political. Shit I will never read. But they have a little section of used books, and things that normal people read, people aren't the radical offspring of Noam Chomsky and Emma Goldman, some egg headed monocle wearing, molotov cocktail throwing freak of nature. Having said that, you should go! Really. Bring your parents. read more

A great example of a small, cozy bookstore with a modest but very well chosen selection. A great place for gifts for all the left-leaning people in your life! read more

Mayday Bookstore - Also will provide meeting space for local groups! - Bookstores Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Best spot I've seen for books on radical and progressive subjects, social justice, race relations, speculative fiction, and more. Unlike some other reviewers, I found the selection to be very diverse and spent over an hour browsing. Cash/check only! read more

My obsession with books is as bad as this new cultural trend of cosmetic foot procedures in order to fit into fashionable shoes. Maybe, It is not that bad, yet. I went into this bookstore sometime ago after calling every bookstore I could find on Yelp and Google looking for 'Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal'. I went to the Barnes & Noble in downtown and found out the book was miraculously gone 30 minutes after I arrived. I decided I would make my way down to the West Bank and stop by the U of M bookstore. But first I decided to give this out-of-the-way local bookstore a shot. I locked my bike to the rail and went down the stairs leading to the basement. I walked in and there were dudes and gals already sitting at the table in the middle of the store. One of the guys sitting there pointed at my red Che Guevara t-shirt and said, "Hey, Right on, man". As I walked away. An old guy from behind the counter stood up, aided by a walker. "What are you looking for?"He said with a big grin, staring at my t-shirt. "Any chance you have Ayn Rand". He looked up at me and I could see the blood from his face draining in slow motion as he said, "We don't carry those kinda books, we are a socialist bookstore here." I have a tendency to say, "excuse me?' often, especially when needing reassertion of what was said. "We mostly carry progressive and socialism books here." He said again, with another big grin as If he were talking to Herman Cain this time. This bookstore has been around since 1975. I have been here a lot since my first visit and have picked up books by Maxim Gorky, Mikail Bakunin, Emma Goldman, Howard Zinn, Noam Chomsky. Besides these informative/revolutionary books, you will find Labor notes, progressive monthly magazines and left-wing newspapers like: Fight Back, Workers Vanguard, 5th Estate. It is cash only but most of everything is really cheap and their used books section is a steal. They also have books on living off the earth, growing vegetables, dumpster diving, and other cheap living. p.s. They have an awesome blog, that's very informative. If you want to keep up with all that radical stuff. "I'm worried that students will take their obedient place in society and look to become successful cogs in the wheel - let the wheel spin them around as it wants without taking a look at what they're doing. I'm concerned that students not become passive acceptors of the official doctrine that's handed down to them from the White House, the media, textbooks, teachers and preachers." Howard Zinn. read more

The May Day Bookstore is run entirely by volunteers committed to radical politics. And their books are important, thoughtful, and will help you live a better life. Would you rather support the corporate machines of bookstore chains consuming independent bookstores or a place like the May Day, dedicated to social equity? I choose the May Day! I've been going here for almost 20 years and have moved away from Minneapolis, but when I visited this weekend they are still going strong and have more current and relevant books than ever. All books are 15% off and they can order anything for you, including for classes. Definitely worth the trip to the West Bank. read more

I definitely did not have an experience similar to the other two reviews, which far from a complaint - I feel it makes this bookstore even more interesting! When I went in last Thursday it was filled with old Vietnam vet looking dudes. Two were sitting at a table talking with a younger guy about government protests in the 80's. I admit I didn't look around much when I stepped in the room to get a feel for exactly who was in there...trying not to look too out of place I guess...but I did some browsing, picked up a book and magazine, and sauntered up to the elderly gentleman at the counter who proceeded to look all over the BUST magazine cover trying to find the price. He was similar looking to my grandfather so I got a little embarrassed with my feminist rag, but then I realized I was standing in a radical bookstore and I'm sure he's cool with whatever, which helped me to relax and help him figured it out. He tallied my total on a legal pad and an ancient calculator, I paid (cash only!), and walked out with some good reading and a great experience. read more

First time I walked into Mayday Books I had a crusty old s.o.b. start busting my chops... I was a new member of Socialist Alternative, and other people told me to go there to kill time, hang around, and basically just absorb and learn. Like other reviewers stated, I walked in to one of the more awkward scenes I'd ever been around. Guy said hi (and I know I woke him :P), then they just let you be to wander while they pick their conversation back up. I stare at posters and look at books for a while pretty much ignoring the people at the table, although can't help but be amused by the belligerant (and what I later found out to be lighthearted) debate. Other guy leaves... Oh god... Nows it's just me and the two old dudes that work here O_O Dear Lord O_O Sort of avoiding eye contact for fear of a strange gaze, I mull about staring endlessly at the book covers and picking up the various books to check them out. Old crusty dude says, "I can tell you aint a grad student." Fearfully look over my shoulder, "hmm?" "I can tell most grad students at first glance; they read the reviews on the back cover of the book first, before reading anything else." WTF is this old guy talking about? Back covers? Grad students? WTF??? "Oh, okay" Now too intrigued to back down, but not sure what to do next, so I just stand there for a second. "What are you doing here?" (but in a tone along the lines of a semi-friendly ask about who I was, why I was here, what brought me here, type of question). "I'm a member of Socialist Alternative, and a couple of them said to check out this bookstore," said in a regretfully timid way. I think he smelled blood. Proceeds to grill the hell out of me about my politics, absolutely without mercy and clearly holding one single intent: find every extent and limit in my knowledge of socialism since I claimed to be a socialist (which was not too far, granted). I was somewhat mortified, but yet intrigued... hmmmm.... Ran out with my tail between my legs, but only a tactful retreat, I tell myself. I'll be back... Came back the next week, the week after, week after that... until the point that they're pretty much my grandparents now. They've given me books when I have no money for them, talked about historical protests and campaigns similiar to ones I am working on now to give advice, and just flat out bullshitted to kill an hour. Age don't really mean shit to them, so don't let the fact that they are all old intimidate you. If you come back, they'll recognize you and treat you like a good aquaintance, although it may be months before they ask your name and before you bother to ask theirs... Full 5-stars, but it can be an aquired taste :P If you want to learn anything about left politics historically or currently, they are the hub of Minneapolis with a wealth of personal knowledge, if not the Midwest entirely. If you show desire to survive the grilling, and wayyyyyy more importantly, a desire to learn how to counter all the points that you failed on, you'll fit right in :D read more