What I talk about when I talk about Running – Haruki Murakami

So I’ve read a few H.M books in the past and was truly blown away by Norwegian wood. I decided to sign up for this challenge (http://murakamichallenge.blogspot.com/)  as I realise there are actually quite a few of his books I’ve not read and well signing up might make me do it.

I read this book – in the bath, in costa coffee, in the hairdressers and in bed J

Being lazy I’ve chosen the shorter books to start with J I’m not keen on none fiction so I wasn’t sure what to expect from this. I use to run a fair bit but I stopped doing it due to laziness and my dog overheating. I have a jogging lead and everything but in summer it just gets too much for him. I have also signed up for a run a few times but never actually turned up on the race day – I will now hang my head in shame.

I like knowing more about the people who I read the works of. He has some interesting points on the quality of what you need to be a novelist and I’m encouraged to see that his writing didn’t take off until his 30’s – still hope for me yet J

I wonder if it is hard to write in a different language – it must be hard to know how you work truly comes across. H.M talks about the difficulties of being put across in his none native language which is interesting.

Dead animals feature along the runs – so many the rspca might have to start a new Champaign!

I was hoping to find out more personally about the author in this book. He doesn’t delve into his personal relationships or growing up. No description of his wife what so ever – as far as I know up till now she could be a buxom blonde with no teeth. An interesting perspective on the life of a writer who is not dysfunctional – which is surprising due to his amount of talent he truly has.

I can’t say this is a health advice book but it has some words of wisdom and a few bits made me chuckle out loud – including him catapulting into a post when doing cycle training for a triathlon. (Reminded me of when I walked head long into a bin at Blackpool because I wasn’t looking up).

This book is one of those that are very much a middle – without much beginning or an end. I like it but found it a little odd- in a good way.

I seem to have bought so many books over the last few days (2^nd hand of course) I don’t know where I will start next! I can’t wait till its summer when I can go on long walks with the dog, stop to have a picnic and read in the sunshine (maybe I’m thinking I live in France rather than Sheffield!!Maybe I’ll plan some walking picnic and see who comes along – any takers?)

Oh in the challenge I am now....Hajime which I think means to begin in japanese

It’s Vintage Darling: how to be a clothes connoisseur by Christa Weil

`Know, first who you are: and then adorn yourself accordingly` -Epictetus, Discourses, 2^nd century.

Bought for me by a dear friend for Xmas this book is not something I’d usually read. I love vintage and know how hard it can be to find authentic items which haven’t been badly reworked or relabelled so I thought this book might give me some tips. It is only over the last few years I’ve become more interested in fashion – and when I moved I realised I only owned dog walking & gardening clothes so I went on a mission to rework my wardrobe.

I soon learned this is probably the type of book bought by a fashion student as it went straight over my head. Most of the authentic vintage it refers to are designer clothes and WAY out of my price range.

Good points made along the way include the fact that a Lui Vuitton jackets will end up in a museum at the end of its life rather than a scrap heap (like many Primark numbers do) which illustrates its quality. It did make me think more about what I wear.

Unfortunately many of the websites listed in the back of the book had very out of date sites or were no longer available. I did learn lots of interesting things about types of material though and for about a month did visit a man’s suit shop to inspect the tailoring & feel the material as advised. (Yes I did get some odd looks but just explained I was doing research.)

I feel very sorry for silk worms and know far more about filaments in material than ever before – again fashion student you’d love this book. Dress agencies are a concept I’d not heard of before and it now occurs to me that I use to frequent one on Abbey dale road in Sheffield without knowing it. Many of the shops listed are in the south, so I think southerners would love this book to seek out unknown treasures.

The pictures that separate the chapters are cute but I must say after I started reading an in-depth chapter about labels I lost interest. I mean you’d be surprised what you can tell by a label….

Some cute little quotes along the way including:

`Why socks disappear in the laundry-The Bureau of missing socks offers some fascinating theories on this phenomenon:

·         The spin dryer opens up a space/time continuum through which the sock is transported to distant galaxies.

·         Socks don’t actually disappear, they reproduce-but only have one baby at a time

·         Socks in the hamper feel like they’re in jail and plan their escape during the laundry

·         Elvis has them`

I think the main points I will take from this book is to treat my clothes with respect and pay attention to tailoring – which may then stop me looking like and elephant!