Book Club Run of The Great Believers

Join Read & Run Chicago, Gerber/Hart Library & Archives, and Betsy Tomszak of Books with Betsy for a 3-mile running route inspired by Rebecca Makkai's award-winning novel, . Lace up your running shoes (or hop on that bike) and get ready to explore the streets of Lakeview that set the backdrop for Fiona and Yale's love, loss, and tragedy with guide Quinn Sluzenski. We'll also hear about the LGBTQ elders and activists that would have been these characters’ contemporaries. This unique experience combines movement and literature, as we dive into the devastating and gripping world of and the real-life Chicago history behind it.

Here's what else you need to know:

PREPARE: For the best experience, we strongly recommend reading prior to attending this event. We encourage you to borrow a copy from your local branch of the Chicago Public Library (here's how to get a card if you don't have one). If you prefer to purchase the book, please visit your favorite indie bookstore or order online at our bookshop.org store.

MEET: Doors open at 5:45pm on Thursday, January 16. You'll check-in, write a name tag, and mingle with other readers & runners. Our program will begin promptly at 6:00pm and the route will take off by 6:10pm. Any late arrivals after 6:10pm should wait at Ann Sather until the group returns.

TRANSPORTATION:

• Paid street parking is available on Belmont Avenue and other nearby main streets. Please note you may have to walk several blocks to Ann Sather.
• CTA Red, Purple, and Brown lines stop at the Belmont station.
• Various CTA bus routes, including the 77 Belmont Bus, stop nearby Ann Sather.
• The nearest Divvy station is at the CTA station.

ROUTE: We will run an easy-paced (11:00 min/mile), ~3-mile route with several stops. Not planning to run? Cyclists, rollers, rollerblades, scooters, and more welcome (take care of your own safety, please!).

END: After the 3-mile guided run, we'll end at Ann Sather for light bites and a book club discussion led by Betsy Tomszak of . We'll also hear from Jen Dentel of Gerber/Hart Library & Archives.

NOTE: If you are planning to join only for the discussion portion, please plan to arrive at Ann Sather around 7pm.

All registered readers & runners will receive reminder emails and details 2 days and 4 hours prior to the event.

About your : Quinn is the digital initiatives assistant at the Newberry Library and a member of the Engagement & Expressions Committee at Gerber/Hart Library and Archives. They are currently pursuing a MS in Library and Information Science at UIUC. When she's not reading, running, or library-ing, she's playing with her cats or watching musicals.

About Betsy Tomszak: Betsy Tomszak is the host of the podcast Books with Betsy. She's a life-long reader and lover of everything the reading life brings. From finding joy in the library since she was very young, and more recently delving into the fabulous world of eBooks and audiobooks, she encourages all readers to find their most accessible path to enjoying reading!

INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN: If it becomes unsafe to run outside, we will hold an alternative version of the event indoors beginning at 6pm. You will be notified via email no later than 4pm on Thursday, January 16 if there are any changes to the event as listed here.

Read & Run Chicago is a chapter of Read & Run Tours, the country’s first and only organization that hosts running events inspired by books. Founded in 2021 by queer educator, freelance writer, and runner Allison Yates, the mission of Read & Run Tours, LLC and the city chapters is to use movement and stories to explore locations. Our community-focused run programming includes running tours, book club runs, author talks, and other literary-themed fun runs all inspired by books set in the cities where chapters are located, written by local authors. While connecting runners to the city’s stories, we also actively support literacy programs, public libraries, independent bookstores, and local authors.

In Chicago, we have hosted more than 60 events (in English and Spanish) for over 300 Chicagoans, featuring over 30 authors or local experts, and we have been featured in various media outlets including CNN, Runner’s World, Midwest Living, NBC’s Chicago Today, Fox32 Good Day Chicago, WGN Radio, Block Chicago, and more.

More information at readandrunchicago.com, Instagram, and Facebook.

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Host or Publisher Read & Run Chicago