SubText: A Bookstore

SubText: A Bookstore SubText is a general interest bookstore with special focus on fiction, poetry, history, and literary non-fiction. "Looking forward to more events at SubText.
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The feeling I got tonight, looking around at the shelves, was that you seem to carry just about ALL the books I want to read. Thought for just a brief minute that I was in heaven!" - A Subtext regular

In June of 2015, SubText became the only bookstore, independent or otherwise, in Downtown St. Paul. Our new location is located at 6 West Fifth Street. We're still the same ol' sTb. We offer a wide

range of new and gently used books, a quiet space to read and meet, a plethora of events with writers and book experts, and musicians. We pride ourselves on our excellent service provided by some of the friendliest, most knowledgeable, most experienced booksellers around. We're also known for our amazing literary-themed mural by local artist Jeff Nelson.

05/20/2026

Tonight was our first time hosting the great folks at šŸ’šŸ«œ and what a success! Supporting Open Markets efforts to nourish our Downtown-Lowertown & Twin Cities community brings us so much joy. If you missed this market, have no fear, they will be back next Tuesday, May 26th from 3-6PM. Stop in, pick up some groceries at NO COST, and maybe sit and read awhile :)

05/08/2026

Take a scrolling break for some beautiful book ASMR!

Karen Parkman at the University Club of St. Paul MAY 20TH, in conversation with Claire Lombardo.

Virginia is a Jillā€”a cheerleader for the NFLā€™s Buffalo Billsā€”living the life of her dreams: she spends her weekdays practicing, her weekends cheering, and her nights hopping between bars and clubs with her teammates, including the fearless, charismatic Jeanine, whose friendship has given Virginia confidence in spades and helped her forget her troubled past with her estranged sister, Laura.
One Sunday, Jeanine fails to show up for a game, and calls and texts to her go unanswered. Virginia embarks on an investigation into Jeanineā€™s disappearance, aided by a network of Jills, ex-boyfriends, seedy fixtures of Buffaloā€™s criminal underground, and unexpected figures from her past. But as her search grows increasingly dangerous and spirals into obsession, disturbing questions about who Jeanine really was begin to emerge.

Oh, the things I do for engagement on this appšŸ˜…

04/28/2026

Celebrate spring with us?

Rhonda Fleming Hayes is an award-winning writer and photographer. On May 7th we will celebrate her recent release, Garden for Life Strategies for Easier, Greener, More Joyful Gardening as We Age.

Hayes brings a lifetime of gardening experience, research-based advice, and collective wisdom to older gardeners who are looking for inspiration and practical strategies. This delightful comprehensive guide presents new techniques and tools to make gardening less strenuous, and highlights plants that ā€œmultitaskā€ to make a garden more sustainableā€”for both the gardener and the environment. It also advises on how and when to ask for help to lighten the load so we can focus on the life-enhancing aspects of spending time in the garden.

ā€œI love the message of Garden for Life because itā€™s not about doing less and giving up what we love. Itā€™s about gardening smarter.ā€ā€”Joe Lampā€™l

This event is free. The University Clubs bar and restaurant will be open before and during the event.

04/24/2026

Tomorrow is Indie Bookstore Day!!! We hope to see you at Subtext for a stamp tomorrow :) Check out our sweet banner, our book-inception collection and more! How many stores are you planning to hit?

04/02/2026

This Sunday at Subtext we are celebrating Arab-American Heritage with three Arab-American poets: Sana Wazwaz, Tarik Dobbs, and Moheb Soliman. This event is free and for all!

03/28/2026

The store will be open for regular hours today, if you find yourself needing a book or a comfortable place to sit. Stay warm and thank you for going out there to share your voice šŸ«”ā¤ļø

Join us this Sunday at Subtext Books for a childrenā€™s author event! will be reading from her book, Las aventuras de Aar...
03/05/2026

Join us this Sunday at Subtext Books for a childrenā€™s author event! will be reading from her book, Las aventuras de AarĆ³n y su dragĆ³n, and leading an activity.

A dragon, a boy, and a journey full of imagination. Join AarĆ³n on a magical adventure through Puerto Rico. With joyful rhymes and heartfelt emotion, this book celebrates our traditions.

10% of sales will be donated to MIRAC.

We want to share our gratitude and thanks to the bookstore community around the country who have reached out to us in so...
02/28/2026

We want to share our gratitude and thanks to the bookstore community around the country who have reached out to us in solidarity and love. Thank you to
, , , and the many book lovers. We are stronger together šŸ’–šŸ“š

02/26/2026

Is the inanimate object your neighborhood bookstore or the books in the bookstore? Some might argue books are living things, but forget it and just laugh with me tonight!

Itā€™s official!! we have a writing group! If you are in the downtown-lowertown area, like writing with others, and maybe ...
02/25/2026

Itā€™s official!! we have a writing group! If you are in the downtown-lowertown area, like writing with others, and maybe would like to share your work with others, this group is for you. Laid back, all levels and styles welcomed, we hope this group supports you in your writing goals and strengthens your community ties. See you MARCH 13TH 6pm-8pm.

Address

6 5th Street W
Saint Paul, MN
55102

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 7pm
Tuesday 10am - 7pm
Wednesday 10am - 7pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+16514932791

Website

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