I visit Minneapolis regularly from the East Coast, and a visit that doesn't include Moon Palace is…read morea substandard visit. Any new book that I hear about and want to buy, they invariably have in stock, alongside a wonderful selection of titles I may not have realized existed. They're the kind of place that gets me excited about the world, even if they also remind me there will never be enough time to read everything I want to. I've been to a ton of independent bookstores in the Twin Cities, and Moon Palace is the best. Heck, I've been to a ton of bookstores in a lot of cities, and if Moon Palace isn't the best anywhere, I can't think of one better right now.

I think Moon Palace books is an awesome bookstore! They have a lot of difference genres and books…read morefor all ages. The staff are very friendly and they also have a small restaurant/cafe in the back! The book prices sometimes feel a little more expensive than other book stores. This shop is also awesome in that they are very inclusive of all types of people from difference backgrounds and they are very openly advocates for many important causes!

This bookshop is a local gem. They have a selection of new and used books on their shelves, along…read morewith the ability to order books on their website if they don't have them in stock. Both the store and the website are well-organized and it's easy to find what you're looking for. It's small inside but cozy, with a few chairs in various places in order to peruse before buying. I have been in twice looking for young children's books. They are tucked back in a room and are sorted by ages, so it's been easy to locate them. The prices on used books are very good and all the ones I saw were in great condition. They carry some mainstream items and some lesser-known authors too. I found multiple books from unknown (to me) authors and one of them is my child's favorite book, so I really appreciate the selection of books that I might not have known to look for at an online retailer. On both visits the cashiers were friendly and helpful when I asked a few questions. Checkout was easy and I was glad to support this wonderful local shop. I feel so fortunate to have this store so close by; I'll definitely be back.

This is an awesome used book store! The prices are very reasonable and the staff is very nice and…read morehelpful. They have a large selection of books as well. I also love that they have a great kids section when is fun! My biggest complaint is that their hours are tough and I feel like a lot of times I drive by they aren't open. Tough to pin down, but an awesome spot for good books!

We popped in for a moment while passing time to hop on the lightrail…read more First you have to be let in as in someone has to come unlock the door. When you walk in it's jammed back with books, which is amazing to see. We only had time to browse the main room but I seen signs mentioning that there was more on the other floors. They had a large comic selection right when you walk in that's about all I checked out. I definitely want to come back and check out more! Looks like a place you can definitely spend time browsing.

This was my 7th stop on the Indie Bookstore Passport tour. This place is huge, with three floors,…read moreand you could browse here for hours if so inclined. It is an eclectic mix of over 100,000 books on every genre from books to comics to magazines. It was nostalgic to see a complete collection of Nancy Drew books, a series I read as a child. They also had a large area devoted to comics in the front of the store. If you seek used or rare books, this is the top choice to come in the area. The door is locked and you need staff to let you inside the store. There is a shared parking lot behind the store, which was very much appreciated.

Excelsior Bay Books is a nice stop for a day by the lake!…read more There was a good selection of new books, many of which were geared towards younger readers. The space was small but light and open. It was wonderful looking out onto the lake at the end of the street. The best part was the adorable bookshop poodle! Stop by for a lakeside view, some books, and a cute pup!

Really pleased with this independent bookstore right off the lake. I was visiting family from LA,…read morewhere hip bookstores abound. I was surprised by the wonderful selection, although there is more of an emphasis on YA and children's novels than what I'm used to. Ended up grabbing "So Much For That Winter," a book of novellas by Dorthe Nors. What struck me more than the book was the friendliness of the shop owners, a husband and wife duo. As more people stopped by, it was clear that there were many regulars. Both owners gave recommendations and welcomed people by name. Even as I was checking out, I was charmed that they wrote purchased books down on pen and paper. A true mom and pop bookstore. I hope to return the next time I'm in town - please support small businesses so gems like this can continue to make communities better!

Get ready for used books at Paperback Exchange!…read more When you first walk in, the piles of used books are a tad overwhelming, but it also lets you know where to spend a few hours book-hunting. The small space is filled to the brim with books of all varieties and all conditions! The girl working the counter was friendly and helpful. She also let us know about the discount/credit customers receive when they sell books to the store. When looking for cheap used books or trying to get rid of books you no longer need, Paperback Exchange is a great place to try!

This place has no books whatsoever. Just kidding! You walk in and there's a "Woah!" moment because…read morethere are so many books vying for your attention. The selection is a little heavy on the romance, but my mom took plenty of those off their hands. Don't worry though, there is plenty more to search through and it's very well organized. Organization is key with these kind of stores or it's just too overwhelming. Helpful staff, street parking, great selection. The pricing is a little confusing on trade-in stuff, and the prices in general are a little high for used books, but that won't stop me from coming back. It's in a great neighborhood with a coffee shop right next door. Grab a book and then go grab some coffee. Perfect.

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.

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

I recently discovered this bookstore after I received a giftcard and I absolutely fell in love!…read moreThis bookstore is bigger than it looks and even has some space to sit and read. It is cozy and you can tell that the community here loves this store. The owners and staff are so friendly and welcoming and treat customers like friends and family! Their prices are pretty typical of other bookstores, but they also have bargain books/used books that are very reasonable priced! They have a great selection of genres and books for all ages as well. This is an awesome spot that feels warm and cozy.

This was the 15th stop on the Indie Bookstore Passport tour. I was so surprised by this store. It…read morewas larger and better stocked (approximately 9,000 books) than I expected. It was a little hard to find; even with GPS prompting me that I'd arrived at my destination. I had to double check the address and hunt and peck to find the store. As a result, I really think they could improve their signage. But that aside, I loved everything else about the store. They had comfy seating to curl up with a book for a spell. The selection of books across all genres was top notch. Parking was on the street only, and with road construction, it was a bit of pain. Despite all that, this is relatively close to me, and I can see making a return visit. In looking at their event and bookclub page, they have some great options.