Charlotte C.

Bigger isn’t always better, as I learned from my microadventure to a small bookstore. When people hear “bookstore”, they typically imagine places like Barnes and Noble, with shelves upon shelves of books. Eat My Words Bookstore proves you don’t have to be a popular company to still be a favorite.

Eat My Words Bookstore only has one building, located in Minneapolis. It was founded by Scott VanKoughnett in 2014, who dreamed of a bookstore that doubled as a welcoming community space. All of the books sold are bought second hand or donated by other members of the community, and they shine a spotlight on Minnesotan authors.

I visited the shop at the end of September with my family. It wasn’t very difficult to find although it only had one sign out by the entrance. My first impression was that the interior was really cool. It had brick walls that matched the exterior and worn wooden floors that creaked sometimes. It had beams from the ground to the ceiling, and all the ceiling ducts were visible. Shelves filled the space with every kind of genre imaginable. On the right, they had an area to sit down, read, or complete puzzles they had. Across from the reading nook was a piano and a shelf filled with music. Tucked in the back corner was a small room, which contained their oldest and rarest books. They had antique Bibles and books from past centuries with some dating back to the 1700s and 1800s.

I recommend this store because the staff are friendly, the store isn’t very busy, and the books are reasonably priced. Each book was typically around seven or eight dollars, although it would likely be more if one of the older and rarer books were bought. This is perfect for anyone who enjoys reading or shopping for books, as well as quieter places to spend time.

Eat My Words is a hidden gem; many people drive past it every day without knowing that it’s there. It is a favorite of mine, and I hope this will inspire others to visit them too.