British journalist and author Chris Cleave will be in Louisville 7 p.m. next Wednesday (Mach 3) to read from his novel "Little Bee." I won't spoil the book's horrific scene that takes place on a Nigerian beach, but I will say as the novel alternates between the perspectives of two narrators — Sarah, who lives in London and has a proper British accent, and Little Bee, an illegal refugee — a compelling story unfolds about two women whose lives intersect as they try to find their way in the world.

Even if you haven't read Cleave's work — the plot of "Incendiary," for instance, featured bombings eerily similar to the real-life 2005 London bombings that occurred that same day that book was released — still check him out on YouTube talking about his writing process. His affable personality (and English accent!) is perfect for events like this. 

Carol Besse, co-owner of Carmichael's (2720 Frankfort Ave.), describes "Little Bee" as "moving," "important" and "funny." "Chris Cleave's book is my favorite of everything I read last year. He's not that well-known; I expect some day he will be," she says. "We feel really lucky that we're getting him. Louisville is not always a stop on book tours."

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