Aura Libraries Flintshire: top 10 books inspired by Shakespeare

April 23 marks the birth and death date of William Shakespeare. Whilst we here at Aura Libraries love Shakespeare from his sonnets to his plays, we also love the many different adaptations and reimagining’s that have been inspired by the bard.

We’ve put together a small list of titles to inspire our library members to rediscover Shakespeare: all of the below titles are available to borrow from your local Aura library.

1. Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

2. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

3. Wise Children by Angela Carter

4. Nutshell by Ian McEwan:

5. Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood

6. The Gap of Time by Jeanette Winterson

7. Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler

8. The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith

9. The Dogs of War by Frederick Forsyth

10. Shylock is my Name by Howard Jacobson

Come and say hello

Our libraries are open for select browsing and computer access. Computers will be available to book by phoning the library:

• Broughton Library - 01352 703760

• Buckley Library - 01352 703860

• Connah’s Quay Library - 01352 703730

• Flint Library - 01352 703737

• Holywell Library - 01352 703850

• Mold Library - 01352 703780

Weekly Book Corner

The Lost Ones by Anita Frank

This week’s reading recommendation is The Lost Ones by Anita Frank. Returning from war after serving as a nurse and struggling to come to terms with the death of her fiancé, Stella Marcham welcomes the opportunity to stay with her pregnant sister, Madeleine, at her country mansion, Greyswick. Stella soon discovers that the house has its own tragic history and becomes once again, surrounded by trauma. Hearing sobs in the night and footsteps on the stairs, she grows ever more determined to discover the truth behind Greyswick’s history and ghostly happenings.

If you like gothic and ghostly historic fiction The Lost Ones should be right up your street! Gripping storytelling and characters to root for - it is a fabulous debut novel.

The Lost Ones by Anita Frank is available to borrow from your local Aura library. Why not add it to your next Select and Collect order: search our online library catalogue and reserve titles, or email or phone your local library. To make an order phone us on 01352 703750, or email us at libraries@aura.wales. You can browse our catalogue at www.aura.wales/flintshire-library-catalogue/and place a hold on items to collect from the library counter. We will just need to know your library membership number, a contact telephone number and email address, your book requests/preferences, and your preferred collection point.

10 years of World Book Night

This year is the 10th anniversary of World Book Night (April 23): an annual celebration of books and the magic of reading. Visit https://worldbooknight.org/to find out how you can get involved in this year’s celebrations: whether it is taking part in a virtual quiz, taking a look at the 2021 booklist, downloading a free audiobook, or attending an extra special virtual event - there are lots of ways to enjoy World Book Night from the comfort of your home this year.

The theme this year is ‘Books to make you smile’ and as part of the activity and support available through Flint Library and Wellbeing Hub, we are teaming up with North East Wales Mind to gift copies of the World Book Night title, The Anxiety Survival Guide. For more information email flinthub@newmind.org.uk

Census support

Until May 4, 2021, Aura Libraries will be delivering a Census Support Service for the residents of Flintshire.

Until current restrictions are lifted we can only offer pre-booked telephone support. If you require help to complete your form please contact one of our three support centres with your basic contact details for one of our advisors to call you back at your convenience. All calls are confidential and will be carried out by fully trained advisors. Connah’s Quay Library - 01352 707730), Flint Library - 01352 703737 or Mold Library - 01352 703780.

• Visit us on social media to view our weekly rhyme time or story time sessions, as well as lots of book and audiobook recommendations, plus handy information about our services and the online monthly events we host, including Zoom reading groups for adults and children. We can be found on Facebook at @LlyfrgelloeddAuraLibraries, Instagram at @llyfrgelloeddauralibraries and Twitter at @LibFlintshire.

Aura is a charitable, not-for-profit, organisation responsible for managing the majority of leisure, libraries and heritage services in Flintshire. Aura is owned by its employees and operates for the benefit of local communities.