Mayday Bookstore

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.

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 Unilocal 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, 5^th 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.