Christine Wells said she has always been a big reader, spending a lot of time in Brisbane libraries when she was growing up. She eventually became a lawyer and spent some time researching for a judge. She had long been interested in research and history, particularly British history. She mentioned some of her current favorite books at an appearance in Sandgate Library, Brisbane.
Her favorite novels included The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, which is a gothic suspense novel. She also liked the Wideacre trilogy by Philippa Gregory. Wideacre, the first in the trilogy, was Philippa Gregory’s debut novel, published 1987. It’s set in the second half of the 18th century, and tells the story of Beatrice Lacey’s attempts to gain control of the Wideacre estate throughout her life.
She liked Lisa Gardner’s serial killer books, the latest of which is Right Behind You.
Other favorite authors included Elizabeth George, who writes crime novels, the latest of which is A Banquet of Consequences.
And she liked Kate Forsyth, author of Bitter Greens and many other fantasy novels. Ms Forsyth liked The Juliet Code, too.
She also liked the non-fiction book Our Tempestuous Day: a History of Regency England by Carolly Erickson. The Regency was when King George III was deemed unfit to rule, so his son ruled as his proxy as Prince Regent. Then when George III died in 1820, the Prince Regent became George IV. The book covers people like Lord Byron and the Duke of Wellington, as well as social upheavals of the time (1810-1820).
Christine Wells also liked the Ben McIntyre non-fiction books on the SAS. These include SAS: Rogue Heroes – the Authorized Wartime History.
Author talks at libraries are a great thing, as long as they give writers of all politics, religions and world views an opportunity to talk about their work. They’re especially good for book tips.