Lily Red, White and Blue

Lily Burana began her writing career as a columnist and editor for punk and alternative zines. She was also a stripper, starting off in punk-inspired Times Square peep shows and even taking a battle for strippers’ rights to the courts. In other words, she’s not the kind of woman most people picture when they envision a prototypical military wife.

But Burana fell head over heels in love with — of all people — a military intelligence officer. After her debut memoir, Strip City: A Stripper’s Farewell Journey Across America, she’s picking up her life story where it left off with the follow-up I Love a Man in Uniform: A Memoir of Love, War, and Other Battles.

Burana and Mike were married in a whirlwind pre-deployment ceremony before he left for Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Burana found herself navigating her new life as a military wife. I Love a Man in Uniform follows her through her battle with life on base, complete with post-traumatic stress disorder, using a poignant but funny voice. And Burana, as always, comes out on top: She now teaches “Operation Bombshell” burlesque classes, exclusively for military wives.
Burana will sign her book tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Tattered Cover LoDo, 1628 16th Street. Call 303-436-1070 or visit www.tatteredcover.com.

Tue., May 19, 7:30 p.m., 2009