Events and book review from Wrexham Library Service

Children's Story Times give you and your child the opportunity to meet regularly with other parents/guardians and other children. When children listen to stories, their brains are hard at work trying to create images and make connections from the text. These mental processes help children develop their cognitive and language skills and improve their memory, focus, and attention span. Why not join us at Llay Library every Wednesday afternoon from 3.15pm-3.45pm for these brand new fun interactive sessions which are all free of charge. Go on give it a go!

Ruabon Library art exhibition

Penycae Art Group are exhibiting in Ruabon Library during May and June. The exhibition is a varied, colourful and vibrant collection of mixed media artwork depicting a variety of themes and scenes, with something of interest for all. This friendly and relaxed local art group formed in February 1983 and meet in Penycae Village Hall on Thursday afternoons between 1.30pm-4pm. There is a monthly membership fee which includes refreshments. New members are welcome, with their contact details available from the library or via the Dewis Wales Resource Directory, or just pop in to see them. Come along to the library and enjoy the work of this talented group of people, with the exhibition available for viewing during library opening hours.

Groundwork North Wales at Chirk Library

Groundwork North Wales return to Chirk Library this month with more dates for you to learn how to use your smart phone or tablet, plus how to use the Vinted app. They have a basic session for smart phones plus an advance session. If you would like the opportunity to learn more about how to use your smart phone, tablet or the Vinted app then contact Groundwork directly on 01978 757524.

Welsh language Author of the Month

Marlyn Samuel is from Anglesey and lives in Pentre Berw with her husband Iwan and Bruno the cockapoo. She is a researcher for Radio Cymru and when she is not writing she loves taking Bruno for walks, enjoys pilates and searching online for holidays. Marlyn has published six novels. Marlyn has always been a keen reader and has also enjoyed writing stories since being a child in primary school. This is what prompted her to write novels. The library service has always been a big influence on Marlyn: "I was delighted whenever the library van came to school when I was a pupil at Llanddeusant Primary School... Even now I remember stepping into to green van and being amazed at the shelves full of books of all kinds."

Theakston Old Peculiar Crime Novel of the Year

One of the UK and Ireland's most prestigious prizes for crime fiction is awarded to the best crime novel published each year in paperback. The winner is voted for jointly by the awards' academy and the public, and is presented each year at the Theakston Old Peculier crime writing festival in Harrogate. This year's longlist of 18 books includes many favourite authors such as Mark Billingham, Anne Cleeves, Elly Griffiths, Clare Mackintosh and Tim Weaver. All of these books are available from your local library. Closing date for voting from the longlist is May 16 and you can vote here: harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com/vote/

Adolygiad Llyfr

Tua'r Gorwel gan Eirlys Wyn Jones

Tua'r Gorwel by Eirlys Wyn Jones

Ar ôl treulio blynyddoedd yr Ail Rhyfel Byd yn ceision dal deupen llinyn ynghyd a magu mab bach ar ei phen ei hun, mae Mair yn ysu i'w gŵr ddychwelyd o'r ffosydd. Ond pan ddaw Ifan yn ôl i'w gartref yng nghefn gwlad Llŷn, daw'n amlwg yn fuan iawn fod y Rhyfel wedi gadael ei ôl arno. All y ddau ailadfael yn eu bywydau – a'u pherthynas – ar ôl bod ar wahân mor hir? Dyma nofel sy'n eich denu o'r dechrau ac sydd wir werth ei darllen fel darlun o gyfnod arbennig iawn yn ein hanes.

(Adolygiad oddi ar Gwales.com, trwy ganiatâd Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru)