[bookray] What I Talk About When I Talk About Running: A Memoir
20 journalers for this copy...
Synopsis/Review (Credit: www.amazon.com)
In 1982, having sold his jazz bar to devote himself to writing, Murakami began running to keep fit. A year later, he had completed a solo course from Athens to Marathon, and now, after dozens of such races, not to mention triathlons and a dozen critically acclaimed books, he reflects upon the influence the sport has had on his life and on his writing.
Equal parts training log, travelogue, and reminiscence, this revealing memoir covers his four-month preparation for the 2005 New York City Marathon and takes us to places ranging from Tokyo’s Jingu Gaien gardens, where he once shared the course with an Olympian, to the Charles River in Boston among young women who outpace him. Through this marvelous lens of sport emerges a panorama of memories and insights: the eureka moment when he decided to become a writer, his greatest triumphs and disappointments, his passion for vintage LPs, and the experience, after fifty, of seeing his race times improve and then fall back.
By turns funny and sobering, playful and philosophical, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is rich and revelatory, both for fans of this masterful yet guardedly private writer and for the exploding population of athletes who find similar satisfaction in running.
(Bought second-hand at Book Wise Exchange, High Street, Bellville.)
In 1982, having sold his jazz bar to devote himself to writing, Murakami began running to keep fit. A year later, he had completed a solo course from Athens to Marathon, and now, after dozens of such races, not to mention triathlons and a dozen critically acclaimed books, he reflects upon the influence the sport has had on his life and on his writing.
Equal parts training log, travelogue, and reminiscence, this revealing memoir covers his four-month preparation for the 2005 New York City Marathon and takes us to places ranging from Tokyo’s Jingu Gaien gardens, where he once shared the course with an Olympian, to the Charles River in Boston among young women who outpace him. Through this marvelous lens of sport emerges a panorama of memories and insights: the eureka moment when he decided to become a writer, his greatest triumphs and disappointments, his passion for vintage LPs, and the experience, after fifty, of seeing his race times improve and then fall back.
By turns funny and sobering, playful and philosophical, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is rich and revelatory, both for fans of this masterful yet guardedly private writer and for the exploding population of athletes who find similar satisfaction in running.
(Bought second-hand at Book Wise Exchange, High Street, Bellville.)
This is an interesting read, either as fellow runner or as someone who loves Haruki Murakami's books. On the one hand, one gets to learn how big a role running has played in his life. On the other, the book reads like a memoir, allowing one a glimpse of his life and the background to some of his writing.
There are no airs or arrogance here. Murakami's self-effacing style has the effect that much of the book comes across as a straight-forward training diary of someone who loves his running. Topics discussed are the same ones prevalent at post-run chats among running partners all over the world, though in this case often with the bonus of a little something extra.
Of course, runners are typically quick with advice to other runners (and notoriously slow to follow the same advice themselves under similar circumstances). So, if I were to get the chance to have a chat with the author, there are one or two observations I would love to make. However, since this is due to become a bookray and I didn't want to include any spoilers in the book's journal, I chose to post those in the following Book Talk forum thread.
There are no airs or arrogance here. Murakami's self-effacing style has the effect that much of the book comes across as a straight-forward training diary of someone who loves his running. Topics discussed are the same ones prevalent at post-run chats among running partners all over the world, though in this case often with the bonus of a little something extra.
Of course, runners are typically quick with advice to other runners (and notoriously slow to follow the same advice themselves under similar circumstances). So, if I were to get the chance to have a chat with the author, there are one or two observations I would love to make. However, since this is due to become a bookray and I didn't want to include any spoilers in the book's journal, I chose to post those in the following Book Talk forum thread.
Bookray
This is a book that many runners and Murakami fans may want to read, so I've decided to make it available in the form of a bookray. The travels of the book will be mapped out in two stages:
Stage 1: South African Bookray -- International shipping doesn't come cheap, so let's have a national round first.
Stage 2: International Bookray -- Once local interest starts to fade, the book will be ready to spread its wings and embark on the international leg of its journey.
Guidelines
• If you want your name to be included or removed, or moved down the list, PM me.
• If you are based outside South Africa, please indicate whether you would be willing to ship internationally if required. The book weighs about 120 g (4,3 oz). Dimensions: 198 x 130 x 14 mm (7,8 x 5,1 x 0,6 inches).
• The list is subject to change at any time based on geography, mailing preferences, or other considerations.
• Make a journal entry when you receive the book.
• Read the book. It is a relatively quick read, so let's aim at passing the book on within 3 to 4 weeks of receiving it.
• Make another journal entry to share your thoughts on the book. Ensure that your comments do not include any spoilers. Should you wish to discuss the book in a way that might spoil the experience for participants who prefer reading a book cold, rather make use of the Book Talk forum thread started for this purpose.
• PM the next in line for his/her postal address or discuss arrangements to ensure a smooth transfer.
• Pass the book on to the next person in the form of a controlled release.
• For arrangements regarding this bookray or to keep those further down the participants list informed, please make use of the Bookrings, Bookrays and Bookboxes forum thread.
Route Map
The map below shows the journey of the book so far. Click anywhere on the map for a scalable, interactive version.
Participants
Stage 1: South African Bookray (started 2012-03-14)
1. Stoepbrak (Oranjezicht, Cape Town, Western Cape)
2. vossie (Muizenberg, Western Cape)
3. subok (Bergvliet, Cape Town, Western Cape)
4. aproctor (Lakeside, Cape Town, Western Cape) (1 year on the road)
5. ecclesia (Cape Town, Western Cape)
6. drTraxa (Wierdapark, Centurion, Gauteng)
Stage 2: International Bookray
7. pam99 (Glasgow, Scotland, UK | ship intl)
8. storm0103 (Aeugst am Albis, Zürich, Switzerland | ship pref EU)
9. okyrhoe (Athens, Attica, Greece | ship intl)
10. cinnycat (Central Square, New York, USA | ship USA only)
11. LovesOU (Carrollton, Texas, USA | ship pref USA/Can)
12. valpete (Walnut Creek, California, USA | ship intl)
13. sarahmangan (Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK | ship EU) (2 years on the road)
14. sedna5213 (Wasquehal, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France | ship intl)
15. Askeladda (Skien, Telemark fylke, Norway | ship EU)
16. Tuttasb (Trondheim, Sør-Trøndelag fylke, Norway | ship pref EU)
17. Tizzalicious (Nieuwegein, Utrecht, Netherlands | ship pref EU)
18. Abi-Gibby (Millbrook, Cornwall, United Kingdom | ship UK)
19. -Kata- (Tampere, Pirkanmaa, Finland) (7 years on the road) << currently here
Stage 3: Ray it forward!
There does not seem to be further interest at this stage, which means we have come to the end of the organised bookray. Thanks to all of you who have taken part!
I always feel a book that has been part of a bookray should not be released in the wild. Therefore, when the book finds its way to you and you are done with it, I would request that you give or send it to another active BookCrosser, with a similar request to this one. A book that has travelled a bit in the form of a ray deserves to travel more, rather than get stuck on a bookshelf somewhere — often with the catch not even journalled — or worse: get lost in the wild.
Although I will not be involved with further travel arrangements for the book, I plan to continue to update the route map and add names to the list of participants as the book continues its journey.
20. Let's see where the book pops up next!
Released 12 yrs ago (3/14/2012 UTC) at Cape Town, Western Cape South Africa
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Given to vossie as first link in this bookray.
Journal Entry 5 by vossie at Cape Town - Muizenberg, Western Cape South Africa on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
I was just starting this book over the weekend at Afrika Burns, and it turns out one of my camping mates had brought the same book for her reading pleasure! So far, its been good - contemplative.
mmm...it made me curious to read his other books... but I think it struck a discordent cord because I don't like to TALK about running...I like to RUN. grin. So, it was a bit difficult for me to get through the second half of the book. I hope the next reader/runner loves it though!
cheers
cheers
Released 11 yrs ago (7/18/2012 UTC) at Cape Town, Western Cape South Africa
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
finally! sorry so long, but this can move on to the next runner on Stoepbrak's list.
Finally got this on the weekend and have started...
I liked this. I could identify with many aspects of the author's running experience - both the joys and the frustrations. His understated style and honest observation made for an enjoyable read.
Released 11 yrs ago (10/7/2012 UTC) at Cape Town, Western Cape South Africa
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Releasing to theymann.
Journal Entry 11 by 
AnonymousFinder
at Cape Town, Western Cape South Africa on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
AnonymousFinder at Cape Town, Western Cape South Africa on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
I was fairly disappointed actually. Gave up about 3/4 way through.
i'll pass on to Stoepbrak
Journal Entry 13 by ecclesia at Cape Town - Durbanville, Western Cape South Africa on Thursday, March 28, 2013
As a runner - i enjoyed the book, the author's vivid description of his running experience; how he uses running as a metaphor for life.
Journal Entry 14 by ecclesia at Cape Town - Durbanville, Western Cape South Africa on Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Released 11 yrs ago (4/9/2013 UTC) at Cape Town - Durbanville, Western Cape South Africa
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to Gauteng
Received from stoepbrak on 13/4/2013
The author seems to "talk" casually about his running, digressing here and there to touch on other aspects of his life. This is, however, very carefully done because it doesn't ever become boring - quite the opposite.
Released 10 yrs ago (5/15/2013 UTC) at Tshwane - Centurion, Gauteng South Africa
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Slowly on its way to pam99 via surface mail.
well, either it went on a very fast boat or it hitched a ride on a plane, as this book arrived a couple of days ago! Apologies for not journalling when it arrived - a couple of books all came at the same time and I must have missed this one.
Read this over the weekend - a very quick and enjoyable read (I'm a cyclist rather than a runner, and completely agreed with him that they are very different). I've always been interested in the idea of long distance running though, and this was a fascinating insight!
Read this over the weekend - a very quick and enjoyable read (I'm a cyclist rather than a runner, and completely agreed with him that they are very different). I've always been interested in the idea of long distance running though, and this was a fascinating insight!
The book is in Switzerland :-DI have one Ring on my pile before that one... I'll try to be fast.
Thanks Stoepbrak for sharing this book with us.
As a runner myself, I really enjoyed this book from the start to the finished line. Haruki Murakami has a nice way to talk about his passion and his way of life.
This book will run to Greece as soon as I receive Okyrhoe's address.
This book will run to Greece as soon as I receive Okyrhoe's address.
Journal Entry 21 by storm0103 at Exchange/Trade, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, June 23, 2013
Released 10 yrs ago (6/24/2013 UTC) at Exchange/Trade, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
This book will keep on running in Greece.
Sent to Okyrhoe. Happy reading !
Sent to Okyrhoe. Happy reading !
Arrived in Athens. Thanks storm0103 for posting the book to me, and Stoepbrak for including me in the ray!
(reserved for my review)
Journal Entry 24 by okyrhoe at book ring/ray, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Friday, August 23, 2013
Released 10 yrs ago (8/23/2013 UTC) at book ring/ray, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way by post to cinnycat. Enjoy!
This made is safe from Greece to New York! I recently finished the lovely Pinball, 1973 from Murakami. So it will be a Murakami month! I will be starting this one today. Thanks so much Stoepbrak for sharing!
Murakami feels that his serious running and his serious novel writing started at the same time, so of course any memoir would involve both. Murakami is one the most intriguing writers, so I was looking forward to anything close to a memoir even if it was mostly about running. There was some backstory to some of the novels he has written that I was particularly interested in, since I was privileged to read Pinball 1973 recently and was surprised at how good it was. There were insightful things here, and not just about running. I can't wait to read more of his books and I'm glad I was able to read this one!
I will be mailing this out, hopefully this week. I'm very sorry for the wait! thanks for sharing!
I will be mailing this out, hopefully this week. I'm very sorry for the wait! thanks for sharing!
Sent to LovesOU today! I'm SO sorry for the wait! I really enjoyed this one. thanks again for sharing!
The book arrived safely in Texas. I am happy to be a small part in this fab bookray. Thank you for sending Cinnycat and a big Thank you to Stoepbrak for starting this ray. Will read next and keep it moving.
I enjoyed this book very much. Haruki Murakami is a fantastic witer. this is the first book I've read from him and look to enjoy more from him down the road. i am not a long distance runner by any means. I was able to take away oplenty of good advice for running and from how to conduct my life in general. Thanks for letting me join the book ray. I hope future readers enjoy the book as much as I did.The book is now off to sunny California.
Thanks for sending this book. I'm going to give it to my daughter to read, as she is a runner. Then, I'll continue it on its journey to the next reader.
Journal Entry 31 by sarahmangan at Nottingham, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Thursday, March 13, 2014
I am so sorry - this book must have arrived in the last few weeks. As I'm part of the bc birthday group, lots of book shaped parcels have been arriving...it got put in my birthday pile! I had asked my boyfriend to take charge of and hide any parcels to remove temptation! Sorry for delaying the ray. I'll get onto reading it this weekend.
Journal Entry 32 by sarahmangan at Nottingham, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Thursday, March 27, 2014
I enjoyed this - although I'm not a runner myself I really enjoyed the meandering style of this book. Thanks for including me in the ray - I'll send it on ASAP.
Journal Entry 33 by sarahmangan at Nottingham, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Sunday, March 30, 2014
Released 10 yrs ago (3/31/2014 UTC) at Nottingham, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Posted on to the next reader!
The book arrived safely here in France. Looking forward to reading it.
Enjoyed this book a lot! Murakami is an excellent writer and has a very practical philosophy. Wish I had that resolve to run :).
PMed Askeladda some days ago, but I'm still waiting for the address.
PMed Askeladda some days ago, but I'm still waiting for the address.
Will send the book off to Askeladda today.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Arrived safely i Skien, together with the sunshine:)
I'll have to finish another bookring book, before I can start to read this one.
It's exiting to rescive a book in the mailbox that started it's journey in Cape Town, the other side of the world. I'm really looking forward to read it. Thank you for sending it and for the beautiful postcard!
I'll have to finish another bookring book, before I can start to read this one.
It's exiting to rescive a book in the mailbox that started it's journey in Cape Town, the other side of the world. I'm really looking forward to read it. Thank you for sending it and for the beautiful postcard!
I have started to read the book! It had to wait untill I finished an other bookring book...
In the middle of chapter 3, and I have allready been inspired to go for a quick walk and think through my life :)
I have finished reading it. I found the book inspiring, spescially the first part of it. After the marathon in Athens I started to lose interest, feeling he more or less repeted himself. (maybe it had to be like that in a book about running...) That's why it took me some more time to read the last third of the book. I will see it off to the next reader. I allready have Tuttasb's adress.
Just arrived at home after 2 weeks vacation in Mallorca, Spain and this was one of the books waiting for me. Got one other book to read before this one, I've loved everything I've read by Murakami so far so I'm looking forward to reading this one.
I enjoyed this! Reading this book made me think of my father, he would have loved it but unfortunately he died in 1997, age 44. My father was a runner (he loved cycling, swimming and cross country skiing too). He participated in several marathons and triathlons and I guess he was most proud of running the London marathon in 1988. Reading this I had to check out if I could find any information on my fathers accomplishments as a runner and I learned that his personal best for running a marathon was 1988 Oslo Marathon 3:01:18 and I guess that's not bad. I can actually say now that my father ran faster than Murakami, his personal best being 1991 New York City Marathon 3:31:26!
I'm not a runner myself but I was a swimmer for almost 10 years (quit age 13) and I was definitely a long distance swimmer so I do understand in large extent what Murakami is talking about. At age 13-14 a did a lot of cycling and some running too (but that feels like a lifetime ago) and now I have an urge to dig out my running shoes from the back of the closet to see if I can be determined enough to get past the this-is-awful part of running and enjoy it.
You don't need to be a runner or a great fan of Murakami to read this book, I think most people can find it interesting anyway, like reading an ordinary novel you get to know another person or characters way of thinking, view of life and what gets them going and through that you learn more about life.
Thank you for getting the opportunity to read this and thanks to Murakami for letting me know my father a little bit better.
I'm not a runner myself but I was a swimmer for almost 10 years (quit age 13) and I was definitely a long distance swimmer so I do understand in large extent what Murakami is talking about. At age 13-14 a did a lot of cycling and some running too (but that feels like a lifetime ago) and now I have an urge to dig out my running shoes from the back of the closet to see if I can be determined enough to get past the this-is-awful part of running and enjoy it.
You don't need to be a runner or a great fan of Murakami to read this book, I think most people can find it interesting anyway, like reading an ordinary novel you get to know another person or characters way of thinking, view of life and what gets them going and through that you learn more about life.
Thank you for getting the opportunity to read this and thanks to Murakami for letting me know my father a little bit better.
Journal Entry 43 by Tuttasb at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Saturday, August 2, 2014
Released 9 yrs ago (8/2/2014 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sending this to the next participant in the bookray.
I got this in the mail today, thanks so much Tuttasb! I can't wait to read this :)
Despite not being a runner, I really enjoyed this book. I love Murakami, and it was nice reading a bit more about him.
On its way to Abbi in the UK! :)
Book arrived whilst I was away on holiday will start reading immediately and then pass it on ASAP
I hate writing negative long reviews but i feel a need to on this book. I found this book a bit of a chore so gave up on page 70 thinking it would get better but it didn't
I've heard so many great things about this book but I found myself rather disappointed in it.
After 55 pages I personally find that the author was very uninteresting, dull and highly boring. All this book was about was the ramblings of an old man (assuming he is) with poor literacy skills.
I also got highly frustrated with the amount of times the author told us that he was a writer. Well hello that's obvious as you've written a book
I feel that this book was may of been "unfinished" and I also felt the author is very "uninspiring" in trying to get more people into running I certainly will not be taking up running anytime soon
I've heard so many great things about this book but I found myself rather disappointed in it.
After 55 pages I personally find that the author was very uninteresting, dull and highly boring. All this book was about was the ramblings of an old man (assuming he is) with poor literacy skills.
I also got highly frustrated with the amount of times the author told us that he was a writer. Well hello that's obvious as you've written a book
I feel that this book was may of been "unfinished" and I also felt the author is very "uninspiring" in trying to get more people into running I certainly will not be taking up running anytime soon
Vekiki wanted to be skipped as she has already read the book, I've tried emailing wheepaperclip a few times with no success she seems to have gone a bit inactive!!!
Got this email from weepaperclip today.
Hello Abi-Gibby,
Sorry I missed your earlier messages. Please skip me as I'm not active right now. I will update my profile. Thanks
Hello Abi-Gibby,
Sorry I missed your earlier messages. Please skip me as I'm not active right now. I will update my profile. Thanks
Congratulations, you have picked up a travelling book!
If you have a moment, we'd love you to let us know you have the book as we're keen to follow its journey. You can even post a review when you've read it before passing it on to the next lucky person.
Happy reading!
Not sure what to do? Follow these steps!
1) You may continue as an Anonymous Finder. Or, Register as a member , then you too will receive future journal entries on this book and track its journey around the world!
2) Make a journal entry on this book to let us know how you found it!
3) If you choose to read the book, please make another journal entry when you finish it to let us know what you thought!
4) Ready to pass the book on? Click on "make release notes" to let us know where it's going! Leave the book in a public place or give it to a friend!
If you have a moment, we'd love you to let us know you have the book as we're keen to follow its journey. You can even post a review when you've read it before passing it on to the next lucky person.
Happy reading!
Not sure what to do? Follow these steps!
1) You may continue as an Anonymous Finder. Or, Register as a member , then you too will receive future journal entries on this book and track its journey around the world!
2) Make a journal entry on this book to let us know how you found it!
3) If you choose to read the book, please make another journal entry when you finish it to let us know what you thought!
4) Ready to pass the book on? Click on "make release notes" to let us know where it's going! Leave the book in a public place or give it to a friend!
The book is with me now, thanks! :)
There does not seem to be further interest at this stage, which means we have come to the end of the organised bookray. Thanks to all of you who have taken part!
Ray It Forward
I always feel a book that has been part of a bookray should not be released in the wild. I therefore asked -Kata- to "ray the book forward", i.e. to give or send it to another active BookCrosser, with a similar request to this one. A book that has travelled a bit in the form of a ray deserves to travel more, rather than get stuck on a bookshelf somewhere — often with the catch not even journalled — or worse: get lost in the wild.
It is my hope that future readers of the book will share this view, at least as far as this particular book is concerned, and extend its journey.
