Hi, I’m Jodi Chromey. You might know me from I Will Dare or Paul Westerberg.net. In 2007, I went to see Brock Clarke the author of the phenomenal An Arsonist’s Guide to Writers’ Homes in New England read. He put on a great reading for me and about ten other people. I was appalled at the turnout. I blamed the poor attendance on the fact that most people had no idea it was going on. I found out about the reading two days before it happened.

So sad.

It was that reading that inspired me to create Minnesota Reads. Minneapolis is often voted the Most Literate City, but you’d never guess that by the number of bookblogs based here. We’re hoping to change that.

So What is Minnesota Reads?
Minnesota Reads is a blog that publishes book reviews by Minnesota Readers and talks to Minnesotans about what they’re reading. That’s only the beginning. We have big, big plans that will someday include publishing original fiction by local (and probably midwestern) writers. Yay!

Do you only review Minnesota authors?
Nah. While Minnesota has a vibrant and thriving literary community filled with fabulous writers, there are just too many great books out there to limit ourselves to one area of geography. However, we are dedicated to pimping Minnesotans or writers visiting Minnesota whenever possible.

Hey, I read books can I write for Minnesota Reads?
Hell yes! If you’d like to post your book reviews, just contact us and we’ll get you hooked up.