Inland by Téa Obreht is a haunting, richly atmospheric novel set in the rugged, drought-stricken Arizona Territory of 1893. It follows two distinct characters: Nora, a resilient frontierswoman awaiting her husband’s return amid a water crisis, and Lurie, a former outlaw haunted by ghosts, as their paths converge in unexpected ways. Blending myth and harsh reality, Inland explores themes of survival, loss, and the deep thirst for connection in a vast, unforgiving landscape. Some light refreshments will be provided. Instructor Katie Cortese is an author, teaches in the creative writing program at Texas Tech, and is the faculty director for Texas Tech University Press.