The Martian vs. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
The Martian
Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, he won’t have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old “human error” are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn’t ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is a memoir by Haruki Murakami where he talks about two things that define a big part of his life: running and writing. Murakami didn’t always plan on being a novelist. He was running a jazz bar in his twenties when, while watching a baseball game, he suddenly thought, “I could write a novel.” He gave it a shot, it worked out, and he eventually sold his bar to focus on writing full-time. But sitting at a desk all day, smoking and not moving much, wasn’t doing his health any good. That’s when he picked up running. For Murakami, running is more than just exercise—it’s part of his routine and, in a way, a metaphor for writing. Both take endurance. Both are long hauls where you push yourself day after day, even when you don’t feel like it. The book follows him as he trains for marathons, competes in triathlons, and grapples with the slow decline of his physical abilities as he ages. He talks a lot about acceptance—accepting getting older, accept...

Reviews
Reviews
Reviewed on 2/28/2024
I read this book when I first started running long distance. I was living in Chiang Mai and I'd go this huge park a couple of times a week and just run loops around the lake. At the end of my run I'd grab a milk tea and a banana bread from a local coffee shop and just read a few pages. Great memories of many chill evenings, running and reading about running.
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Engaging and humorous narrative | 1 | |
Accurate scientific details | 1 | |
Thrilling survival story | 1 | |
Strong character development | 1 | |
Appeals to both sci-fi fans and general readers | 1 |
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Heavy on technical jargon | 1 | |
Slow start | 1 |
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Easy read | 1 | |
Motivating | 1 | |
Peaceful | 1 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
'The Martian' offers an engaging and humorous narrative with a thrilling survival story that appeals to both sci-fi fans and general readers. It features accurate scientific details and strong character development, making it a compelling read for those who enjoy adventure and science fiction. In contrast, 'What I Talk About When I Talk About Running' is a more introspective and peaceful read, focusing on the author's personal experiences with running and writing. While it is motivating and easy to read, it may not provide the same level of excitement as 'The Martian'. The choice between the two depends on whether you prefer a thrilling survival tale or a reflective narrative about running and creativity.
'The Martian' is known for its engaging and humorous narrative, which keeps readers on the edge of their seats as they follow Mark Watney's survival journey on Mars. The book's thrilling plot and strong character development make it highly engaging. On the other hand, 'What I Talk About When I Talk About Running' offers a more reflective and peaceful narrative, focusing on the author's thoughts and experiences. While it is motivating and easy to read, it may not captivate readers in the same way as the fast-paced adventure of 'The Martian'.
'The Martian' is heavy on technical jargon and includes accurate scientific details that contribute to its realism and depth. This aspect may appeal to readers who enjoy science fiction and technical challenges. In contrast, 'What I Talk About When I Talk About Running' is more focused on personal experiences and reflections, with little emphasis on technical details. Therefore, if you prefer a book with more scientific and technical content, 'The Martian' would be the better choice.
'The Martian' is a sci-fi novel by Andy Weir that tells the story of astronaut Mark Watney, who becomes stranded on Mars after a dust storm forces his crew to evacuate. Believed to be dead, Watney must rely on his ingenuity and engineering skills to survive while figuring out a way to signal Earth for a rescue.
Pros of 'The Martian' include its engaging and humorous narrative, accurate scientific details, thrilling survival story, strong character development, and its appeal to both sci-fi fans and general readers. Cons include its heavy use of technical jargon and a slow start.
'What I Talk About When I Talk About Running' is a memoir by Haruki Murakami that explores the intertwined themes of running and writing. Murakami shares his journey from running a jazz bar to becoming a novelist, detailing how running became a crucial part of his life and a metaphor for his writing process. The book reflects on endurance, acceptance of aging, and the highs and lows of both running and writing.
Pros of 'What I Talk About When I Talk About Running' include its easy readability, motivating content, and the peaceful tone of Murakami's writing. There are no cons listed for this book, indicating that readers generally find it to be a positive experience.
Haruki Murakami is a renowned Japanese author known for his unique blend of magical realism, surrealism, and themes of loneliness and existentialism. He gained international fame with novels such as 'Norwegian Wood' and 'Kafka on the Shore.' In 'What I Talk About When I Talk About Running,' he shares personal insights into his life as a writer and runner.
The writing style of 'What I Talk About When I Talk About Running' is straightforward and conversational, as if Murakami is sharing his thoughts over coffee. He often includes personal anecdotes and reflections, making the narrative relatable and engaging for readers.
In 'What I Talk About When I Talk About Running,' memorable moments include Murakami's experiences training for marathons, his reflections on aging and acceptance, and the simple joys of running, such as the satisfaction of finishing a race and enjoying a cold beer afterward. His vivid descriptions of running the original marathon route in Greece also stand out.