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