What you talkin' bout' Haruki Murakami?

I am not a fan of Haruki Murakami. I read the Wind-Up Bird Chronicles in college and was not impressed. Generally, I thought he was a weirdo. Still do. But now I know he is a weirdo and a runner. For me, the running part kind of negates everything else.

My favorite part of Runner's World magazine is always the final page, the article called "I'm A Runner". Which is an interview with someone of notoriety who happens to run. Even if I don't particularly care for the interviewee (ehem, Sarah Palin) I can still respect the fact that they run and am immensely curious as to why they run, what they think about when the run, what music motivates them, etc. Murakami's memoir is an extended version of that article. It gets repetitive at points, but it is still an enjoyable read if you are a running enthusiast. Actually, if you have enthusiasm for any sport or hobby, you can find enjoyment in the book. It's really more about finding something you love to do and the journey that it takes you on.