Bookshop Santa Cruz staff recommendation:

How do you see? How do you see strength? Evil? Resilience? Tragedy? Hope? Hopelessness? Love? Lefteri asks these questions in The Beekeeper of Aleppo. This story is about a young man, Uri, his wife Afra, and their escape from war-torn Aleppo. They experience the unimaginable loss of war and it’s up to Uri to get all he has left—his wife—to the safety of the UK. Uri and Afra are gentle people and so is the book. It doesn’t hide the horrors the two suffer, but the revelations of these atrocities are veiled and tragic, not bloody or graphic. The text reflects Uri’s spirit and perspective. Lefteri spent time volunteering in refugee camps and has worked with refugees in the UK. Her deep knowledge of their plight, both acute and long term, has produced an empathetic account of survival and love. This is a must-read.  —Judi Heher, Bookshop Ambassador

A darkly humorous, compulsively readable exploration of normativity through the eyes of a content but maladjusted young woman who, despite societal pressures, is simply not wired to conform. Perfect for helping anyone who has ever felt they're not living "the right way" become convinced otherwise. - Ksenia

A love story set in the most brutal of times, The Farming of Bones is one of those books you will read in one or two sittings and think about for the rest of your life. Set in Haiti during the Parsley Massacre of 1937, this book will force you to look at one of the worst moments in history. Danticat’s storytelling is so gripping, you won’t be able to look away. - Jess

In this beautifully written food memoir, Thielen traces her journey from small town Minnesota to New York City. Thielen’s love of food transcends its usual function of taste and satiation, she uses is as a memory anchor and it serves as a deep connection to her family and her broader heritage. Heartfelt and often funny, this is a true love letter to food if there ever was one. - Jade