Writers' Workshop graduate Peter Bognanni will read from his new novel, How to Lose Yourself Completely, and will be joined in conversation with Daniel Khalastchi. Bognanni's publisher offers this description of How to Lose Yourself Completely: "A teen grappling with grief and anxiety is sent to wilderness "adventure therapy,” where he meets a group of friends—and a girl from his past—who will change his life forever. This captivating novel is perfect for fans of Jandy Nelson and John Green." It's praised by Kirkus as "a gripping adventure and a deeply affecting exploration of grief and mental health," while Abdi Nazemian, Stonewall and Lambda Award-winning author of Like a Love Story and Only This Beautiful Moment, says: "Peter Bognanni's How to Lose Yourself Completely is a book to lose yourself in, completely. Through stunning prose, this novel of uncommon depth and astounding empathy will take you on a powerful and hopeful adventure into the human heart that will leave you breathless."

Peter Bognanni’s first novel, The House of Tomorrow, won the L.A. Times Book Award for First Fiction and was adapted into a feature film starring Ellen Burstyn and Nick Offerman. His second novel, Things I’m Seeing Without You, was published in four countries and is currently in development for television. Peter teaches Creative Writing at Macalester College.

Daniel Khalastchi is a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop and the author of four acclaimed books of poetry. His most recent collection, The Story of Your Obstinate Survival, received the National Jewish Book Award for Poetry and was longlisted for the PEN/Volecker Award for Poetry. A former visiting faculty member at UT Austin's Michener Center for Writers, Daniel currently lives in Iowa City where he is the executive director of the University of Iowa’s Office of Writing and Communication and the cofounder and managing editor of Rescue Press. His fifth book, And the Tribulation Cometh Upon You, is forthcoming from Tupelo Press.

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Readings at Prairie Lights are sponsored by the Writing University.}