Blind dates wouldn’t exist if we didn’t believe our friends had our best interests in mind, since suggestions are taken purely on faith. While online dating websites and Internet warehouses like Amazon have algorithms for recommending “perfect” matches, I continue to trust people more than I do machines. Call me old fashioned.

When I walked into Bookshop Santa Cruz in February and saw that they had a Valentine’s Day promotion encouraging customers to take a “blind date” with their staff’s favorite books, I knew I couldn’t go wrong.

It just so happened that I was already on a date at the time (who, incidentally, I met through friends). After casually browsing the store, my partner and I were both intrigued by a the table of books wrapped in brown paper to disguise their contents.

Each wrapping listed the book’s genre and a few key details. I picked up the “Blind Date with History,” while he considered the “Blind Date with Nature Writing.” I chose, “mid-nineteenth century San Francisco; Mark Twain; Arson,” and he went with “the comfort of wild place; otters & whales.”

Bookshop Santa Cruz had pegged our interests so well that it seemed as if cupid himself had arranged the bookstand. And while it may seem uncharacteristic for two Millennials, we didn’t hesitate to purchase the books at full price. As far as dates go, $15 is pretty reasonable, especially since a book won’t take one look at you and turn around.