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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
I’m not sure how to rate this book. I have read some Murakami and he’s one of my favourite authors but I really didn’t know much about who he was before picking this up. He states several times that this book serves as a kind of memoir, but it definitely centres a lot on running and the physical conditions around him running. Weirdly enough, I got the sense that he was continually trying to prove or justify something but that wasn’t even the confusing part. Murakami came off as really arrogant and even ignorant a few times. Some instances can be when he starts listing all the dead animals on the road for no reason, then he talks about why authors/artists commit suicide in the most insensitive way possible. A lot of this book is him humble bragging. I don’t quite understand the point of it but I should say it was a fairly pleasant reading experience. This is primarily why I don’t know how to rate it. I don’t think I got a specific vigour for life or running of it, but I definitely didn’t have any trouble reading it. I definitely got the sense that Murakami is a peculiar guy, trying to present himself as this detached human but it didn’t really work out. This book also seems like an afterthought, at least in my understanding of craft. A lot of what I enjoy about Murakami’s writing wasn’t there, which is understandable because this wasn’t about the big things he usually concerns himself with. But a little more attention to the writing would have been appreciated. I would recommend this to people who either already like Murakami or who are interested in marathons/triathlons. This shouldn’t be your first Murakami and if you’re looking for a literary book to absorb yourself into, this ain’t it.
inspiring
my first murakami; need to try his fiction. perfectly enjoyable but that’s about all i feel! some nice thoughts from a much more intense runner than i but nothing that felt especially groundbreaking or inspiring
As a runner, it may seem strange that this is the first book I've read about running - or perhaps not, as running is a thing you can do, and do well, and do all the time without having to read books about it. Regardless, I'm glad that after numerous recommendations, I finally got around to reading What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. I really, thoroughly enjoyed the simple, thoughtful prose, and the way that Murakami talked about writing and running interchangeably. I loved this book, and will definitely read it again.
informative
inspiring
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
This book reads more like a series of diary entries than a memoir. The meandering thoughts were an interesting glimpse into the mind of someone with seemingly different values from mine. It inspired reminisce of favorite runs and enthusiasm to continue running in the future.
I wavered between 3.5 and 4 stars on this one. The candid honesty and reality of the narrative is what pushed me over to 4.
Murakami has a wonderful way with words, even in this non-fiction work. His descriptions are colorful and real.
I enjoyed seeing a little into the psyche of Murakami. He has a self-loathing that one wouldn't expect when reading about a runner's life. It was refreshing to hear him talk of his failures/missteps in such a human way. When this work was completed he had completed nearly 30 marathons, an ultra-marathon and several triathlons. With each event that he writes of, he doesn't focus on all the great feelings or fabulous times he may have had - he details out the hardships, how he overcame them, and sometimes how he felt he miserably fell short. Through it all, he kept going and that was more inspiring than hearing that all his hard work made him the winner in his age group or something else notable. Instead, he keeps working at the same intensity or harder even though he's not necessarily reaching those heights. That spoke to me.
He wrote how running and writing, for him, fit together and how they used common strengths and fed into common weaknesses. Murakami is very clear that he runs to stay fit, and that he stays fit so he can continue to write. Again, it spoke to me that the running wasn't all about a natural love or talent for running, but something he worked at and used to better and sustain his life and health in other areas - it wasn't all about running.
This book made me feel better about sucking so horribly at running while still trying to improve. It also made me like and enjoy Murakami even more - he's just "real" and I like that. I feel like if you came across Haruki Murakami during a run or in a coffee shop that he'd be just "another person". He'd wave, smile, maybe even chat (he's clear that he's a bit of an introvert so maybe no talking). Basically, he'd be approachable.
Murakami has a wonderful way with words, even in this non-fiction work. His descriptions are colorful and real.
I enjoyed seeing a little into the psyche of Murakami. He has a self-loathing that one wouldn't expect when reading about a runner's life. It was refreshing to hear him talk of his failures/missteps in such a human way. When this work was completed he had completed nearly 30 marathons, an ultra-marathon and several triathlons. With each event that he writes of, he doesn't focus on all the great feelings or fabulous times he may have had - he details out the hardships, how he overcame them, and sometimes how he felt he miserably fell short. Through it all, he kept going and that was more inspiring than hearing that all his hard work made him the winner in his age group or something else notable. Instead, he keeps working at the same intensity or harder even though he's not necessarily reaching those heights. That spoke to me.
He wrote how running and writing, for him, fit together and how they used common strengths and fed into common weaknesses. Murakami is very clear that he runs to stay fit, and that he stays fit so he can continue to write. Again, it spoke to me that the running wasn't all about a natural love or talent for running, but something he worked at and used to better and sustain his life and health in other areas - it wasn't all about running.
This book made me feel better about sucking so horribly at running while still trying to improve. It also made me like and enjoy Murakami even more - he's just "real" and I like that. I feel like if you came across Haruki Murakami during a run or in a coffee shop that he'd be just "another person". He'd wave, smile, maybe even chat (he's clear that he's a bit of an introvert so maybe no talking). Basically, he'd be approachable.