FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:
September 18, 2009
Contact:
Robert Graves, Public Services Librarian
Phone:
(310) 458-8635
E-mail:
robert.graves@smgov.net
Santa Monica, California –The Santa Monica Public Library is
pleased to announce Little Bee by Chris Cleave as the featured book for
the 2010 Santa Monica Citywide Reads program. Santa Monica Citywide Reads
is a community reading program that invites everyone to read and discuss the
same novel in book clubs and other special events held around the city.
2010 marks the eighth anniversary of the program.
The second novel by emerging
literary talent Chris Cleave, Little Bee is the harrowing and beautiful
story of a teenage Nigerian refugee and a married pair of disaffected British
journalists, whose lives and destinies collide in unexpected and shocking ways.
Touching on themes of immigration, family, infidelity and loyalty, the book
deftly examines the intricacies of human connection and the sacrifices we all
make to get by in life. The New York Times calls the book
“immensely readable and moving…an affecting story of human triumph,” and the Chicago
Sun-Times raves “Little Bee is a loud shout of talent.” Little
Bee was shortlisted in 2008 for the Costa Book Award for Best Novel and in
2009 for Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best Book. Film rights
for the book were recently optioned by Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman.
In addition to Little Bee,
Chris Cleave is the author of the award-winning novel, Incendiary.
A columnist for The Guardian newspaper, Chris lives in London with his French
wife and two mischievous Anglo-French children.
Santa Monica Citywide Reads will
take place from February 6 to March 6, 2010, and will feature several free
public book discussion groups held throughout the city. Related special
events, including a presentation by author Chris Cleave, are also being
planned.
For more information about Citywide
Reads, visit www.smpl.org/cwr or call the
Santa Monica Public Library at (310) 458-8600.
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