WATSONVILLE >> Millions of books are published each year, so the likelihood of making The New York Times Best Seller list — widely considered the definitive ranking of the highest selling works of literature in America — is small. Amor Towles has done it three times with all three of his novels, the latest of which actually topped the list for a week in 2021. The Watsonville Public Library on Sept. 27 will virtually host him for an Author Talk to discuss his success.

The Boston-born author published his debut novel, “Rules of Civility” in 2011, as he was winding down a two-decade-long career in investment banking. The book tells the story of a 25-year-old Wall Street secretary named Katey Kontent who navigates through the aristocracy of ‘30s New York City in search of a brighter future during the Great Depression. The book debuted at No. 16 on the New York Times Best Seller list, and was praised by publications throughout the world, some even comparing Towles’ writing style to F. Scott Fitzgerald.

“Rules of Civility” was followed in 2016 by “A Gentleman in Moscow” about the fictional Count Alexander Rostov, who is sentenced to house arrest amid the Russian Revolution after he is considered a recalcitrant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal and forced to live in an attic, all while Russia experiences decades of tumult under Soviet rule. The book spent two years on the New York Times Best Seller list, was named one of the best books of the year by numerous publications and is set to be adapted into a miniseries starring Ewan McGregor as Rostov. It will air on Showtime and stream on Paramount+ in 2024.

Towles’ latest, 2021’s “The Lincoln Highway,” managed to fare even better by debuting at No.1. The book, about four young men who embark on a road trip from Nebraska to New York City along the titular historic highway in 1954, was selected for “The Today Show” book club, was named the best book of the year by Amazon’s editors and was on former President Barack Obama’s personal favorites list for 2021.

In addition to questions by library staff, viewers will have the opportunity to submit questions to Towles when they register for the event, and Towles will answer as many as time allows.The event is 5 p.m. Wednesday, and people can register at Libraryc.org/watsonvillelibrary/32144.

Other virtual Author Talks in the future include guidebook author and TV travel host Rick Steves Oct. 10, “The Cider House Rules” and “The World According to Garp” author John Irving Oct. 26 and former “Full House” star John Stamos Nov. 1.