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The Selma-Dallas County Public Library hosted national best-selling and award-winning author Katherine Reay during a “Lunch at the Library” event held Tuesday.

Reay signed copies of her latest book, “The London House,” for over 30 library patrons.

“The book is about an event that happened in 1941 in the early days of World War II that is coming to light today, and one woman’s search for the truth and what that will mean for her family 80 years later,” Reay said. “It goes from the fashion houses of Paris in the 1930s to the early days of Britain’s spy network and a family secret that carries to this day.”She added while the novel isn’t based on a true story, it has real historical elements woven into the narrative.

“It’s my ninth novel, and it’s my first historical fiction novel,” Reay said. “I love digging into history because we need to remember history – all aspects of history.”

According to Reay, the visit in Selma was one of the final stops on her tour.

Reay said she enjoyed getting to see some of the older buildings while in Selma.

“My daughter is in school for architecture, and since she started studying architecture, I look at buildings and history very differently,” she said. “That has been really fun because there are some beautiful buildings here.”

Library Director Becky Nichols said it was great to have Reay visit the library.

“Katherine is a prolific writer,” Nichols said. “This is not certainly not her first (book), and she’s been a favorite author in Selma-Dallas County for a long time.

“Lots of people have checked out her books, and we try to get authors that we know are popular, that people have enjoyed checking out … We’re always excited that a small library like ours can attract a New York Times author.”