What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
"What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" is a short and very personal memoir by the japanese novelist Haruki Murakami, where he describes choice parts of his life via his passion for running.
The book is extremely well-written and personal, its not a biographical work in the traditional sense because it concentrates on only a, admittedly big, part of Mr. Murakami's life - running - and compares it to his writing. He passionately describes how and why he runs, how it has shaped him as a person and in extension his writing. It's only about 170 pages and a fast and easy read. Even if you aren't a runner it gives an interesting perspective to the world and mindset of the runner. That said, I found it fascinating and inspiring because I've been dabbling with running the last few years - not sure how much of the book is of interest to someone who doesn't like either running or peering into an intimate part of another persons psyche. I would nonetheless recommend it, if for no other reason because it is actually a good and different kind of book.
