Review: Murakami’s What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️ 

I was drawn to this book by my love for running, and what a beautiful surprise it turned out to be. Though the reviews suggested it’s a gem for Murakami fans, I found that even without a deep familiarity with his works, this book speaks profoundly to anyone who’s passionate about running. 

Written in a flowing, almost spontaneous essay style, the book weaves running into reflections that transcend the typical self-help tropes. Murakami’s analogies felt like soft whispers, gently nudging me to pause, reflect, and return to certain pages, where I found myself lost in thought. 

Beyond the mechanics of running—his musings on form, shoes, and even music—there’s a subtle, yet rich, exploration of self, which inspired me to look deeper into my own practices. His advice has become a quiet companion in my own journey, inviting me to move with more intention. 

And perhaps most intriguing of all, the book led me to ponder the lives of authors outside their words. What exists beyond the pages they write? All in all, I found it fascinating how Murakami, with an almost ethereal balance, intertwines his disciplined training with the creative flow of his writing.