Taken from the Little Free LIbrary at the Montessori School at 4200 S. Higuera St. (@ Los Osos Valley Road) in San Luis Obispo. Good condition.

Tsukuru Tazaki was lucky in his early years. He was part of a group of five children who worked on a project together, and afterwards became a tight-knit group of friends. Each seemed to have something special to offer. After high school, though, Tsukuru was the only one of the five who moved from his home town to attend college, although the others were qualified to study just about anywhere.

During one of his trips home from college in Tokyo, Tsukuru is essentially shunned by his former friends. They tell him not to contact them again. Shocked, he does as he is told after making a half-hearted attempt to find out the reason for this action.

The years go by, and Tsukuru reflects on this rejection again and again. The other four members of the group all had names that were colors - but Tsukuru's name means "builder". He's colorless. Could that be a reason? He never fit in? The others have unique talents. Tsukuru? He's a blank. What can he offer?

He gets on with his life, achieving a degree that allows him to build railroad stations. Fascinated by railroad stations all his life, he is doing what he loves. And yet.

It is only when he meets a woman who is different from other women he'd known that he is driven to take some kind of action about his rejection. Does he find out why he was rejected? Does it change anything? Is he really colourless?

Beautifully written, memorable, thoughtful.

Sent to another bookcrosser as part of a virtual book box exchange.

I have read this author before. And really enjoyed his writing style. Thank you for sending this book to me. I'm looking forward to reading it.