Three international novelists read from their work. In Christos Tsiolkas’ debut novel The Slap, Australian suburbanites try to cope with the demands of kids, careers, infidelity, and barbecues. From Finland, Sofi Oksanen’s Purge follows Estonian women from the ruins of World War II to the present sex trafficking era. Joe Speedboat, by Dutchman Tommy Wieringa, a small town is tossed into upheaval by a youngster with possibly magical powers. (The three also appear at Elliott Bay, 7 p.m. Friday, with Sherman Alexie as host.) BRIAN MILLER

Thu., April 22, 7 p.m.; Fri., April 23, 7 p.m., 2010