♦ Oldest Twin Cities is a fun guidebook to the Twin Cities’ quirky history. The book is perfect for thumbing through on a coffee table or local coffee shop. It’s also a handy permission slip to get out of the house and explore. The best thing is that Severson does not take herself too seriously. She aims to get people to chuckle and embrace curiosity.
—Bill Lindeke, Local author and MinnPost columnist
♦ Julie Jo Severson, with her engaging and thoughtful writing style, takes the reader on a joyous, interesting, and surprising journey of some of the Twin Cities’ most notable treasures! Julie takes the reader across the Mississippi from Minneapolis to St. Paul and enlightens us with intriguing facts and stories, and digs into the roots of important landmarks housed in these two cities and surrounding areas. Julie’s research leaves no stone unturned and even the most knowledgeable Minnesota history buff is certain to learn something new! This is a valuable keepsake for you or a unique and thoughtful gift for your favorite Minnesotan or history lover! —Julie Burton
♦ Love this book! My husband and I are both history buffs, and plan to use it to answer the question of “What do you want to do?” So many things to see and places to go!
—Amazon Reviewer
♦ “A Delightful Inside Scoop on the Treasures of the Twin Cities! I love this book! Surprising must-do bucket list locations throughout the Twin Cities are revealed from cover to cover—and I’ve lived in Minneapolis most of my life. The author’s research unearthed hidden gems and buried treasures. With a swift, engaging writing style and loads of pictures, this is a fun book to read, and makes an ideal gift.” —Anonymous
♦ I loved Julie Jo Severson’s first Twin Cities Guidebook, and was excited to learn that she had written a new one. Julie is a beautiful storyteller who brings extra information and relevance to the sites she highlights. This is the perfect book for newbies and long-timer residents of the area – honest! A great size to throw in your glove compartment for impromptu adventures, too! —MCM, Amazon
♦”It’s probably helpful to have lived in the Twin Cities, as I have, to enjoy Julie Jo’s new book SECRET TWIN CITIES. But, the two-page vignettes are so cleverly told that they will probably be fun for a much broader audience. The book is on our coffee table and we pick it up often to read two or three of the short tales aloud. It’s most often good for a chuckle to lighten our day.”—Reyn, Guyer, Inventor of TWISTER and the NERF Ball!!!
♦”Your book! It gives me hope and excitement for all the things to enjoy when we can. Just what I need right now, Julie!
—Jennifer Cramer-Miller
♦”This book is so fantastic, Julie! I’ve been burning through it since they arrived last night. So excited to get at it. And my husband wants to order copies for all of his staff as a thank you when this is all done and they can be out and about celebrating and embracing their community again.” —Colleen Wilkinson
♦”I ripped it open and haven’t stopped smiling!”—Melissa Mark
♦ “Julie Jo your book is simply AMAZING. I’m reading out loud to my husband while he cooks me dinner and we both keep saying things like ‘no way!’ and ‘oh we have to go there!’ It’s so impressive! Well done!!!“—Michelle Newman—Michelle Newman
♦ “I seriously cannot wait to create some fun adventures with my family (and alone for some too!) using all the well-researched great finds in this book. I’ve lived in the Twin Cities for 20 years and I barely knew about any of these places. It’s so fun to explore a place (on paper for now) where I’ve lived for two decades. Will “be recommending to friends for sure.”—Nina Badzin
♦ “I cannot wait to visit the hidden gems and oddities that are hidden in the Twin Cities! It’s like going on my very own scavenger hunt perfect for a weekend! Julie Jo Severson is one of my favorite writers. Excited to jump in the car with my hubby and start exploring!”
—Anonymous
♦ “This book arrived just as my family headed inside to follow stay-at-home guidelines and I thought I’d have to shelve it until we could go outside again. But it’s actually a terrific armchair travel read. I just enjoy KNOWING this stuff. Like the random lady in the Mary Tyler Moore opener, the world’s largest Lite Brite and the portable White Castle just a couple miles from my house. My own hometown has converted its “insane asylum” into cozy cottages for veterans — and I had no idea! My teenager saw the book sitting on our coffee table and now he’s a fountain of “Hey did you know –” Secret Twin Cities is a great gift idea for trivia buffs, local history nerds, and (as it turns out) teens with short attention spans who are stuck inside.”
—Kristin Nilsen
♦ Julie Jo takes the reader on a joyous and informative ride as she explores so many fun and interesting sights, milestones, and experiences in the Twin Cities, many of which I didn’t even know about even though I’ve lived there most of my life. This cleverly written book with great imagery makes me appreciate the Twin Cities even more and I am excited to head out with my family to check out many of the sites she highlights! This book makes for a great gift for any Minnesotan or anyone interested in the treasures of our great state! Beautifully done, Julie Jo! —Julie Burton