Bookshop Santa Cruz staff recommendation:

If you loved The Historian or People of the Book this should be your next read. Dr. Voth, a modern-day historian, faces relationship troubles and "mandatory unpaid leave" while researching a unique manuscript from 18th century London. Jack Sheppard is an indentured servant who is ushered into a life of crime when he discovers the freedom of a pair of trousers. Part counter-history, part rollicking historical-thriller Rosenberg tackles transgender history and incarceration in this deeply satisfying mystery. - Clara

Early reviews dubbed Candice Carty-Williams' fierce debut as a "black Bridget Jones Diary" which speaks to the book's unparalleled humor, raw look at relationships and sex, and the chronicling of the ups and downs of single women today. However, this book is so much more. It is one of the most honest looks at race while dating, sexual norms of men vs. women and the navigation of relationships carrying the weight of abuse and societal norms that I've ever read. This is one you'll pass to all your friends and then stay up long into the night talking about how Queenie changed your thinking about life and love.  - Casey

A beautiful French novel exploring the difficult subject of mental illness. Written to the soundtrack of Nina Simone singing Mr. Bojangles, this is a magical love story. A young boy tells the story of watching his parents dance their way through life even as his mother descends into madness. This is a book that will make you laugh and cry. An international bestseller. - Trey

William Boyd should be as well known as Steinbeck or Dickens. Like them, he does it all: amazing plots, wonderful descriptions and—especially—great characters. Written in the form of journal entries, this book tells the story of an art dealer and sometime-spy whose life is a kind of history of the 20^th century. Both intimate and sweeping, this is simply a great old-fashioned read. - Rico