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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
I liked this book because it’s about running, and many thoughts of Murakami about the subject are akin to every runner, that adds intimacy. The book is highly optimistic and encourages to keep going on as well.
On the flip side, those who don’t run on a regular basis, will be likely to find at least some inspiration here.
On the flip side, those who don’t run on a regular basis, will be likely to find at least some inspiration here.
Easy to read if less deep thoughts than I was hoping for. Certainly made me think a bit more about my own musings regarding running and my own life, which was a nice introspective benefit to the read.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
I have to level with you: you should only read this book if you too are a long(ish) distance runner. Otherwise this book is boring af. Thankfully it's short.
Rating is slightly higher because Murakami and I have similar reasons for and similar philosophies around running, so it was great to feel very seen.
The thing is - a lot of this book is him obsessing over his mileage and his time. Which is fine! But it is very runner-esque and therefore feels a bit annoying and pretentious if you don’t run. Even me, someone who runs, found this a bit much at times.
There are parts of this book where he does try to extrapolate the lessons he’s learned from his running to other aspects of his life ex. how his views of running - structured, disciplined, consistent - is similar to how he approaches writing; how he’s accepted that no matter how hard he tries, there are simply things that are no longer in his control due to age and different stages of life. This was nice, but certainly felt like an afterthought.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this, but I would not recommend it widely. It’s Fine.
Rating is slightly higher because Murakami and I have similar reasons for and similar philosophies around running, so it was great to feel very seen.
The thing is - a lot of this book is him obsessing over his mileage and his time. Which is fine! But it is very runner-esque and therefore feels a bit annoying and pretentious if you don’t run. Even me, someone who runs, found this a bit much at times.
There are parts of this book where he does try to extrapolate the lessons he’s learned from his running to other aspects of his life ex. how his views of running - structured, disciplined, consistent - is similar to how he approaches writing; how he’s accepted that no matter how hard he tries, there are simply things that are no longer in his control due to age and different stages of life. This was nice, but certainly felt like an afterthought.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this, but I would not recommend it widely. It’s Fine.
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Obviously it was going to be different from his fiction books. And it was a fine book, especially if you are a long distance runner and can relate so much with what it's like to simultaneously love and hate a sport so much. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. I guess I prefer his fiction. :)
A very simple book.
I've just started running myself and was interested to hear what this writer/marathon runner would have to say. It made me want to run more, for sure, but it was a sort of dry read. You get an idea of Murakami's personality which was interesting and an idea of his workhorse mentality, but it's just a lot of him training and working through the pain. I wouldn't say there were great, new insights.
I will take away how he describes himself declining after his peak fitness as he ages and how he just wants to keep on trying. He continues to fight a failing a course and that sort of mentality will always be impressive. I liked that idea. This was a short read, yet it seemed too simple. I liked it, but in a very average way. I think only time will tell if I liked this book or if it stays with me.
I've just started running myself and was interested to hear what this writer/marathon runner would have to say. It made me want to run more, for sure, but it was a sort of dry read. You get an idea of Murakami's personality which was interesting and an idea of his workhorse mentality, but it's just a lot of him training and working through the pain. I wouldn't say there were great, new insights.
I will take away how he describes himself declining after his peak fitness as he ages and how he just wants to keep on trying. He continues to fight a failing a course and that sort of mentality will always be impressive. I liked that idea. This was a short read, yet it seemed too simple. I liked it, but in a very average way. I think only time will tell if I liked this book or if it stays with me.
No earth was shattered in the production of this book, but it did help me be more conscious of both how and why I run.
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced