Author of the Month

Our January 2023 author of the month is Lleucu Roberts.

Titles by author Lleucu Roberts.

Titles by author Lleucu Roberts.

Lleucu Roberts is a multi-award winning author who writes for adults and children alike. The first person to win both prestigious prose prizes in the same year at the National Eisteddfod - and done so twice - Lleucu is one of Wales' most popular contemporary authors.

Whether you are discovering her books for the very first time, or revisiting some of her best known and loved titles, we have put together a small reading list to set you off on a Lleucu Roberts adventure. Enjoy!

Where it all began: Caneuon Heddwch (1991), Troi Clust Fyddar (2005)

Beloved titles: Rhwng Edafedd (2014), Saith Oes Efa (2014)

Most recently: Hannah-Jane (2021), Y Stori Orau (2021)

Top recommendation: Jwg ar Seld (2016)

Do you have a favourite Lleucu Roberts novel? Let us know what you think by getting on touch on social media using the hashtag #LlyfrgelloeddAuraLibraries. Leave us a comment on Twitter (@LibFlintshire), Instagram (@llyfrgelloeddauralibraries) or Facebook (@LlyfrgelloeddAuraLibraries). We'd love to hear from you!

Books of the Month

Our January 2023 books of the month are: Bwrw Dial by Elen Wyn, and The Maid by Nita Prose.

Bwrw Dial by Elen Wyn, and The Maid by Nita Prose.

Bwrw Dial by Elen Wyn, and The Maid by Nita Prose.

Bwrw Dial is an evocative story that explores the complex and intricate feelings associated with saying goodbye to a family home, and one that has been in the family for generations. At its core, it is a story about family, home and Welshness, written by a popular contemporary voice on the Welsh language literary scene.

The Maid tells the tale of Molly, a young maid at the glamorous Regency Grand Hotel. Eccentric and a little misunderstood, Molly finds herself thrown into disarray by a series of events, including the discovery of the wealthy Charles Black, dead in his hotel bed.

Both of these titles are available to borrow from Aura libraries as either books or e-books. Remember: you can browse these titles and hundreds more on our online library catalogue!

Aura Library members can download e-books and audiobooks free of charge from Borrowbox and Libby to a PC, laptop or Mac. Alternatively, you can download the Borrowbox and Libby apps directly to a smartphone or tablet.

To access most online library resources you will need to enter your library membership number and pin. If you do not have this then you can join up as a member online via the Aura website for instant access. All links and further details about our digital library resources can be found on our website: www.aura.wales/libraries

Author event at Mold Library

We are looking forward to our first Author event of the year in partnership with the Booskhop, Mold, with local author Alice Vernon. Alice will be talking about her first book Night Terrors: Troubled Sleep and The Stories We Tell About It, on January 18 at 7pm.

Tickets available from The Bookshop on 01352 759879 or online: https://bit.ly/3XfcrsF

Community Heritage drop-in sessions at Flint Library

Celebrating our town, castle and coast. This project has been funded through the National Lottery, and aims to showcase and celebrate the town, history and people of Flint - or should we say 'off Flint'?

Are you passionate about Flint's rich heritage? Do you have a story to share about the town, the coast or the castle? If so, we want to hear from you!

Library manager, Susannah Hill, said on behalf of the Aura team: "We are excited and proud to be taking part in the Off Flint project and for the library to be at the heart of the community archive. Flint has such a rich heritage and so many amazing stories just waiting to be told!"

Pop into Flint Library any Tuesday morning during term time between 10am-noon to meet the Heritage Officer to find out more about 'Off Flint': an exciting new project to record, conserve and celebrate the rich heritage of Flint and in particular the town, castle and coast.

We are gathering stories, photos and artefacts which will form the basis of a new community archive in Flint Library so that the information gathered is widely accessible to everyone.

Free training in interviewing, recording and editing skills will also be available for anyone interested in volunteering with the project.

The project will run until spring 2024 so there will be plenty of time to share and celebrate Flint's proud history.

For further information please contact Jo Danson, community heritage officer, on 01352 703042 or email CommunityHeritageOfficer@flintshire.gov.uk

Visit us on social media to view handy information about our services, events, and lots of book and audiobook recommendations.

From everyone here at Aura Libraries, thank you for reading and we hope to hear from you or see you soon!

• 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.