Wagga Wagga City Library hosted the book launch of local author Sulari Gentill's latest novel, The Woman in the Library this week.
Ms Gentill, a highly successful author from Batlow, was in conversation with Library Programs Officer Peter Casey.
Described as an unexpectedly twisty literary adventure, The Woman in the Library examines the complicated nature of friendship – and shows that words can be the most treacherous weapons of all.
Mr Casey said he really enjoyed chatting with the author in person.
"We've been aiming to get Sulari in for ages, she's been writing for years, and this is the first opportunity we've had to bring her to the library," Mr Casey said.
"The Woman in the Library is a standalone novel, it's not part of a series, so we thought it was approachable for new audiences – it's ideal for anyone who loves crime and twisty murder mysteries."
Mr Casey said the library was keen to host free literary events for local book lovers.
"This book launch gives the library an opportunity to bring likeminded people together to build up a community of readers – it's been a while since we've been able to do that."
Library Programs Officer Wendy Harper said strong bookings for many of the library's upcoming book launches indicated a growing community desire to see authors in person.
"There's something special about seeing an author whose work you admire in person," Ms Harper said.
"I think it indicates that people want to be seeing each other in person and to feel that the author is in the same room as you again, not just zooming in remotely from Sydney or Melbourne."
Attendees at this event were one of the first to have the chance to purchase The Woman in the Library and have it signed by Ms Gentill, the novel only hitting bookstores on 1 June 2022.
