Hey guys! It's #SmallBusinessSaturday , and I want to take a minute to talk about my favorite kind of small businesses: independent bookstores, which is where I will be doing approximately 95% of my xmas shopping this year. Which stores do I love, do you ask? Well let me tell you!

I've decided to put my bookstore recommendations in order of convenience to my actual house, since that is how I typically organize my own shopping trips. Which means that the first on the list is . . .

Our beloved @StoriedOwlBooks! This is right across the street from @StKate, my alma mater. In normal times, you could buy a book and then go sit next to Dewdrop Pond in the grass and read all day. Alas, the pandemic! Still the store is cute! The selection rules! Go buy stuff!

Next is the magnificent @MoonPalaceBooks. In the midst of unrest and distress in my city, this institution remained a beacon of truth and righteousness and help. This is the store where I bring out of town friends for book browsing. It's a wonderful store. Buy books. It matters.

Next! @DreamHavenBooks! I cannot even express to you what a treasure this store is. Fun fact - this is where I had my very first public reading, performing my story, "The Stone Hearted Queen" (which appeared in Weird Tales, edited by @AnnVanderMeer ) to a likely baffled audience

Oh, heavens. @boneshakerbooks. I have never met more knowledgeable and deeply read bookstore employees. Their tastes are broad and nuanced and esoteric, and you should really be supporting them. Maybe today! Buy books today.

Next up - and they don't seem to be on this hellsite (likely a good choice) - but maybe you should head into minneapolis and pay a visit to The Irreverent Bookworm ( https://irrevbooks.com ). It's whimsical and wonderful, and is open by appointment.

And next. Once Upon a Crime. Another likely wise move to stay off the twitter. I love this place. All mystery all the time. You can send people mystery boxes of mystery books, which, come on, is delightful. Pickup and delivery available. Buy books. https://onceuponacrimebooks.indielite.org/ 

Then there's @magersandquinn. I've done a few events here over the years - the most exciting of which was when a fist fight randomly erupted in the middle of the stacks (it was right after Trump's election; tempers were raw). This is the kind of bookstore a person can get lost in

Once, long ago, I brought my son's Cub Scout troop to @magersandquinn as part of their Literacy badges. Or I think it was literacy. The employees were crazy nice and brought our brood of ruffians all over the store and told them everything. They still talk about it.

Next up: Minneapolis treasure, @wildrumpusbooks. Animals everywhere. When my oldest was having a hard time in school, I used to take her to this bookstore weekly so she could just sit on the comfy chair with a cat on her lap and pet the chicken. Did her all kinds of good.

One thing I really love about @wildrumpusbooks is its commitment to joy. It is a fully joyful place. My god. I hate this pandemic. I want to sit in the store and read books and pet the cats. Am I buying books to smother my feelings. Yes! And so should you.

Next up: @RedBalloonBooks. Guys, this is a beloved institution, and we all need to step up and support it. This is where I had my launch party for my very first novel. With cake! Their commitment to young readers is an inspiration.

Buy books. Tell your friends to buy books.