Katrina Luque
Q: When did you start working at Bookshop Santa Cruz (BSC)?
A: I started working at BSC after graduating from college in 2018. My career trajectory was not clear then, but I did know that I wanted to work with books (my degree is in English literature), so working as a bookseller was a natural fit.
STAFF PROFILE
Q: What surprised you when you started working at BSC?
A: I still am surprised by how many lifelong customers patronize the store; people often approach me and tell me they have shopped at Bookshop since before the earthquake in the ‘80s. We live in a community of readers, and I am grateful to share my enthusiasm for books.
Q: What are your favorite aspects of the job?
A: First and foremost, I enjoy recommending books to people who want to start reading after a hiatus or who express interest in books that are outside their “comfort zone.” A vital aspect of bookshops, especially independent ones, is putting the right book in the hands of the right person at the right time. (Sorry, that’s a mouthful.) Similarly, I love curating the paperback fiction section. I choose the themes and also select books for paperback fiction displays. My taste and personality are reflected in the section—there's an element of personal touch at work. And of course, my coworkers. My coworkers are the best.
Q: How do you discover new books?
A: I’m a big fan of the computer and phone application StoryGraph because it gives accurate book recommendations and comparative titles. In my opinion, StoryGraph is a much better app than Goodreads for recommending titles. At the risk of exposing myself as someone who is chronically online, I'm crazy about book reviews on YouTube. I have discovered many incredible books from my favorite booktubers.
Q: What do you enjoy reading?
A: I'm partial to 19th-century doorstopper novels such as The Count of Monte Cristo, A Sentimental Education, Daniel Deronda, and Bleak House. Contemporary literary fiction is another subgenre I appreciate, including the phenomenal Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley, Ultraluminous by Katherine Faw, and All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami. I also enjoy reading 20th-century world literature; a favorite of mine is Thousand Cranes by Yasunari Kawabata.
Q: To wrap this Q&A up, what book are you currently reading that you love?
A: I’m currently reading plenty of science fiction and fantasy, switching things up from my usual literary fiction habits. I picked up Binti: The Complete Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor, and I haven't been able to put it down.
Thank you for your patronage, and stay literate!
XO, Katrina