February 2026 Reader & Runner of the Month: Betsy Tomszak
by Allison Yates
Betsy won the Read & Run Chicago 2025 Community Award for Most Unforgettable Event for her work at The Book Club Run of The Great Believers in January 2025.
Each month, Read & Run Chicago highlights a different volunteer or reader & runner! This month, we’re celebrating Betsy Tomszak. Read the interview to learn more about her!
What part of the city do you call home?
Lincoln Square.
Where is your favorite place to run in the city?
North Shore Channel Trail.
What’s your favorite book or preferred genre?
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai and Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.
Read & Run Chicago’s Book Club Run of The Great Believers in January 2025. Betsy is on the bottom right!
Buy Betsy’s Favorite Books:
Which is your favorite local bookstore or favorite branch of the Chicago Public Library?
Sulzer Regional is my local Chicago Public Library branch that I adore, and my favorite bookstore (because I can walk there!) is The Book Cellar.
What’s something readers & runners can ask you more about next time they see you?
I am a classically trained violist. My life before I became a teacher was all in the music world! I’m also the host of the podcast, Books with Betsy, and the Off Color Mousetrap Book Club.
When will we see you next?
I’ll be at the Running Tour of West Loop Women on Saturday, March 7!