Against the Current

Weird and wonderful, eclectic selection of used books in a pocket-sized space. The first book that caught my eye was a book in French about China. My husband saw a book about making soymilk and a graphic introduction to Derrida directly opposite. How many bookstores can give you that kind of experience? It's the kind of store where you will find your college reading list (words of one fellow customer). Or that old cookbook that your Mom used to have. That random book your college friend told you about but you never bothered to pick up. A classic graphic novel that your art class peers recommended. You won't find everything you ever wanted to read, but there's a good chance you will find something that you didn't know you wanted to read. The store is a real community effort. One of the owner's friends happened to be there, and said that the owner had another store-full of books in his house. He had been collecting books over 15-20 years, carefully curating them for just this time. The shelves were made with brackets from a local department store that was closing. The owner's brother made the beautiful book cases on the floor. We found this place by chance looking for something to do Christmas day. In the spirit of the bookstore name, they had Jewish trivia, bagels, and mimosas. Some other people trickled in for the trivia, others did kind of float in and browse the books. We gathered around a small table toward the front and had a blast. The store was closing up soon after our trivia game ended, so I'll be back at some other time when it's warmer. A great addition to the neighborhood!

Some good science volumes in this bookstore next to the Macalester campus, which is always a classy thing to see. Purchased a catalog collection of Emily Carr's sombre paintings of the forests of British Columbia at a very reasonable price. Seems they have some unusual promotional events in this store, from what the owner told me, I will definitely be returning, especially since the beloved antiquarian book world that existed in Dinkytown on the U of M campus imploded during the Great Recession.

Against the Current is small-in-size but mighty addition to the Twin Cities used book store scene! I've been in 5 or so times since they opened, and have found something unique on each occasion. The owner is kind and helpful, and the shop itself is cozy and quiet. This is truly a well-curated used bookstore, and you'll never know what you'll find. They have a particularly good selection of local-interest and history books, which I love.

A wonderful, well-curated collection of unique, used books. An intimate space does not allow for getting lost in miles of bookshelves, but allows one the ability to pop in quickly to find a treasure.

Awesome bookstore! The selection is amazing, full of books that are hard to find elsewhere, and they're in beautiful condition. The owner is knowledgeable and very helpful. Prices are very reasonable, the atmosphere is great! So excited to go again!