Book Club Run of Hello Beautiful with Ann Napolitano (Virtual)

Join Read & Run Chicago at Pilsen Community Books on Saturday, June 8 at 9:00am for a 4-5-mile, easy-paced (11:00 min/mile) book club run through Pilsen with Read & Run Chicago programs manager Fernanda Wetzel inspired by Ann Napolitano's Hello Beautiful. Following the run, runners will end with a virtual Q&A with author Ann Napolitano at Pilsen Community Books.

PREPARE: Runners should read Hello Beautiful 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.

MEET UP: Meet at Pilsen Community Books (1102 W. 18th Street) at 9:00am on Saturday, June 8.

ROUTE: Easy-paced 4-5-mile run (~11:00 min/mile) in Pilsen with stops corresponding to the novel.

POST-RUN: We'll end with a virtual Q&A at Pilsen Community Books 1102 W. 18th Street) at with author Ann Napolitano. Anyone who prefers to only join the discussion portion is welcome to come in-person (arrive to Pilsen Community Books (1102 W. 18th Street) at ~10:30am) or virtually via the provided Zoom link.

INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN: If it becomes unsafe to run outside, we will have a book club discussion at an indoor space nearby starting at 10:00am. You will be notified via email no later than 8am on Saturday, June 8 if there are any changes to the event.

BIKING THE ROUTE: If you loved this memoir but prefer to bike this route, you are welcome so long as you manage your own safety. We’d still love to have you!

All registered runners will receive reminder details two days and four hours prior to the event.

About the author: Ann Napolitano is the author of Hello Beautiful, Dear Edward, A Good Hard Look, and Within Arm’s Reach. She received an MFA from New York University; she has taught fiction writing for Brooklyn College’s MFA program, New York University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies and for Gotham Writers’ Workshop. Ann lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children.

Read & Run Chicago is a chapter of Read & Run Tours, LLC, 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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