What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami, Philip Gabriel (Translator), Ray Porter (Narrator)

I am still undecided about my views on Murakami as a novelist. I have read a couple of nonfiction articles by him. As a runner, I’ve wanted to read this book for awhile. This was very much a memoir about running. It was a very easy listen as it was short and the narrator did a great job of Murakami’s tone. I did not find anything revelatory in it. I have only recently gotten back to running after a couple years away. I have minor physical issues now which makes me a slower and more cautious runner than before. Even at my prime, I was not a marathoner or a runner like Murakami who was able to run daily and at great distances. I envied and I related to him because running is a fantastic sport especially for loners. I do think he was dismissive about people who walk on runs.

1-3-1.5x. Oct 12-13, 2024.

The Invention of Morel by Adolfo Bioy Casares, Jorge Luis Borges (Prologue), Ruth L.C. Simms (Translator), Suzanne Jill Levine (Introduction), Norah Borges de Torre (Illustrator)

A 1940 Argentinenan sci-fi novella. Pacing is fast and the tone is that of a psychological thriller. The protagonist is a fugitive on what he believed to be deserted island and soon becomes obsessed with a woman whom he sees. As I do not read a lot of thrillers or sci-fi, this was a nice change of pace to my other reads. It was short with a predictable twist but not badly written. I
found this recommendation on Instagram and now I know this is not to be my taste. This was fine.

Oct 13-14, 2024.

More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa, Eric Ozawa (Translator)

The first book did not need a sequel and some people probably felt this was unecessary. I like the characters and the writing. There is a gentle and emotional tone. This second book was heavier as it dealt with grief. I appreciated the journey with the characters and got to know them better. I recommend the first book if you enjoy translated Japanese literature. This second book is a nice add on if you want a heavier yet hopeful conclusion.

October 16-17, 2024.

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, Barbara Caruso (Narrator)

1.3x. My first Joan Didion. While I had this hardcover, I listened to it all on audiobook. The narrator did a great job. This collection of essays was known one of the best grief books in the last 20 years. Written in 2004 after her husband’s sudden death, Didion reflected on death and grief amidst a busy year. The essays shifted between memories of her husband, her present life with her sick daughter, and reflections and research about death. Didion wrote from an unemotonal tone which I found fascinating and also relatable at times from my own experience with sudden grief. I liked these essays and would read more from Didion.

October 14-17, 2024.

Ascendance of a Bookworm (Manga) Part 1 Volume 4 and 5 by Suzuka (Artist), Miya Kazuki (Original Story), Quof (Translator)

I read these during the week as well. Not much to say other than I am still enjoying this manga!