As Far as You Can Go Before You Have to Come Back by Alle C Hall

Nominated for The National Book Award, Alle C. Hall’s debut literary novel, As Far as You Can Go Before You Have to Come Back is for book lovers of two classics: The Lovely Bones and The Beach.

Carlie is not merely traveling. A child sexual abuse survivor, as a teen she steals ten thousand dollars and runs away to Asia. There, the Lonely Planet path of hookups, heat, alcohol, and drugs takes on a terrifying reality.

Landing in Tokyo in the late 1980s, Carlie falls in with an international crew of tai chi-practicing backpackers. With their help, she has the chance at a journey she didn’t plan for: one to find the self-respect taken from her as a child and the healthy sexuality she desires.