Nonfiction Writing Program graduate Andy Douglas will read from his memoir, The Curve of the World, at 7 p.m. Monday, May 6, in a free reading at Prairie Lights Books in downtown Iowa City. The reading also will be streamed live on the University of Iowa Writing University website.

The Curve of the World is the story of Andy Douglas’ seven-year odyssey in Asia as a yogic monk. This spiritual memoir follows his journey from early days as the son of a Presbyterian minister in 1970s middle America, through a period of dissolute rebellion and despair, and on to a search for a deeper spirituality. It explores the link between body, mind, and spirit in a journey toward self-knowledge.

Essayist Tim Bascom says of the book, “[It] chronicles the journey of one American soul willing to risk everything in search of a more meaningful and satisfying experience. It will bump you out of the well-worn ruts of status quo religion, taking you to places you've never been before.”

Douglas has practiced yoga and meditation for 30 years. For seven years, he lived in various Asian countries; he lived as a monk for four of those years. After returning to the United States in 1990, he worked as a journalist and public radio announcer before receiving a bachelor's degree in anthropology and an Master of Fine Arts in creative writing. He is active in peace, economic justice, and prison issues, and sings in a choir with prisoners. He also translates and sings Bengali devotional songs and has recorded an album of P.R. Sarkar's music. He lives in Iowa City.

The Nonfiction Writing Program is a graduate program in the Department of English in the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you require an accommodation to attend this reading, contact Jan Weissmillerin advance at Prairie Lights, 319-337-2681.

For a UI arts calendar and details about upcoming events, visit the new Arts Iowa website.