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Over the past year or so, St. Paul has quietly become a hotbed for the local literary scene. It boasts a healthy number of independent bookstores, such as Garrison Keillor (Prairie Home Companion)’s Common Good Books, Micawber’s Books, Midway Used and Rare Books, Sixth Chamber Used Books, and children’s book store the Red Balloon Bookshop; plus monthly literary clubs and readings at a number of other venues. The third Tuesday of every month, the Amsterdam Bar and Hall hosts the long-running Books and Bars (also held monthly in Minneapolis at the Aster Cafe), while the Artists’ Quarter has long been the home of the Soap Boxing poetry slam, every first Monday of the month. Additional events including the Black Dog Cafe’s Lowertown Reading Jam (held on various days throughout the month) and Readings by Writers at the University Club the third Tuesday of the month.

In honor of Mother’s Day, Keillor is joining with fellow authors Patricia Hampl, Shannon Olson and Julie Schumacher on Sunday for a Common Good-sponsored Mother’s Day reading “Honor Thy Mother” at Macaleseter College’s Weyerhaeuser Chapel, which promises “stories about her, secrets told, sins confessed, and a few songs in her favor.” Donations will be collected for the Jeremiah Program for single mothers. (3 pm Sunday, free, Macalester College, 38 S Snelling Avenue, St. Paul.)

Garrison Keillor

St. Paul Literary Clubs

Readings by Writers
What: Hosted by Saint Paul Poet Laureate Caron Connolly, this month’s installment of the Readings by Writers series will feature readings by haron Chmielarz, Matt McConnell, Kim Ode, James Silas Rogers, Dara Sykrin, Francine Marie Tolf, Tracy Youngblom, and the Announcement of the 2012 Everyday Poems for City Sidewalk Contest Winners by Marcus Young.
When: 7 pm, third Thursdays; next meeting: May 15.
Where: The University Club, www.universityclubofstpaul.com

Lowertown Reading Jam
What: Presented by the Saint Paul Almanac, the acclaimed Lowertown Reading Jams celebrate the rich literary history of Minnesota’s capital city. May 23′s edition “Raising Consciousness and Healing Through Words” is curated by Sheronda Orridge and features performances by Akeeylah Watkins, Angel Myatt, Monique Crusoe, Karyssa Jackson, Kashimana, Dianne Moore, and Fanond Burnett.
When: 7 pm, May 23. Upcoming dates: June 11, July 9.
Where: Black Dog Cafe, 308 Prince Street, St. Paul, 651-228-9474, blackdogstpaul.com

Soap Boxing Poetry Slam
What: Presented by the award-winning poetry slam team Soap Boxing, the Poetry Slam competition is open to anyone (18-plus) and features three rounds of poetic battle. Sign up between 7-8 pm. ($5)
When: 8 pm, first Mondays; next bout: June 4.
Where: The Artists’ Quarter, 408 St Peter Street, St. Paul, 651-292-1359, www.artistsquarter.com

Books & Bars
What: An open public book club show. We provide a unique atmosphere for a lively discussion of interesting authors, fun people, good food and drinks. This month’s selection for the Books and Bars Book Club will be Joseph Heller’s classic, Catch-22.
When: 6 pm, third Tuesdays; next meeting: May 15.
Where: Amsterdam Bar & Hall, 6 W 6th Street, St. Paul, 612-285-3112, hwww.amsterdambarandhall.com

Check out this video in which Books & Bars host Jeff Kamin explains the “new” book club:

For more literary events and readings in the Twin Cities, check out Rain Taxi’s comprehensive online calendar.

St. Paul Independent Book Stores
Many of these book stores host regular readings from local authors.

Common Good Books
38 S Snelling Avenue, St. Paul
651-225-8989
www.commongoodbooks.com

Micawber’s Books
2238 Carter Avenue, St. Paul
651-646-5506
www.micawbers.com

The Red Balloon Bookshop
891 Grand Avenue
St. Paul
www.redballoonbookshop.com

Sixth Chamber Used Books
1332 Grand Avenue
St. Paul
651-690-9463
www.sixthchamber.com

Midway Used & Rare Books
1579 University Avenue W
St. Paul
651-644-7605
www.midwaybook.com