Like eating or sleeping, running is one of the most natural actions. Whether for fun or survival, propelling yourself toward something by picking up your two feet is instinctual. For this reason, it’s no surprise that running has graced the pages of many books, both fiction and non-fiction.
When you try to draw up a list of books about running, you’re likely to encounter plenty of recommendations for memoirs of skilled runners, fun stories about finding love in a run club, or technical tomes about how to improve your stride or move faster.
There are a couple mainstays of the category, like Haruki Murakami’s lovely memoir “What I Mean When I Talk About Running” and perhaps the most famous running novel, John L. Parker Jr.’s classic “Once a Runner.” While both of these books are absolutely worth reading, our list aims to give you some ideas for some less frequently mentioned picks.
In this list, you’ll find a mix of fiction and non-fiction books that tackle running as both a recreational pursuit and a necessity. You’ll find stories that include running as the catalyst for finding love, building community, finding purpose and oneself, and carrying oneself to safety. Ready to stack your TBR or fulfill a 2025 PS Reading Challenge prompt? Read on for the 10 best books about running.
