Books From the Backlog #143

Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread. If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.

If you would like to join in, please feel free to enter your link and link back to this post, then spend some time visiting some of the other posts.

This week's neglected book:

Go by Kazuki Kaneshiro

YA Lit, Japanese Lit

3.1.18

Pages: 167

Blurb:

For two teens, falling in love is going to make a world of difference in this beautifully translated, bold, and endearing novel about love, loss, and the pain of racial discrimination.

As a Korean student in a Japanese high school, Sugihara has had to defend himself against all kinds of bullies. But nothing could have prepared him for the heartache he feels when he falls hopelessly in love with a Japanese girl named Sakurai. Immersed in their shared love for classical music and foreign movies, the two gradually grow closer and closer.

One night, after being hit by personal tragedy, Sugihara reveals to Sakurai that he is not Japanese—as his name might indicate.

Torn between a chance at self-discovery that he’s ready to seize and the prejudices of others that he can’t control, Sugihara must decide who he wants to be and where he wants to go next. Will Sakurai be able to confront her own bias and accompany him on his journey?

WHY DID I PICK THIS ONE?

I got this one for free from Amazon for World Book Day in 2018 or 2019 and I was excited to try a book by a Japanese author. I didn't read it right away and it slipped to the back of the Kindle shelf. But, then I set myself the goal of reading five World Lit books this year and also have a read outside my comfort zone COYER readathon going on so felt motivated to pull it out for a read.