Aura Libraries Flintshire: Connect with nature during Mental Health Awareness Week

The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (May 10-16) is nature and the role it plays in keeping our minds and bodies healthy. Visit mentalhealth.org.uk to read a list of top tips for connecting with nature. Search our online library catalogue for titles about wellbeing and nature. We recommend the following:

Titles about wellbeing and nature.

• The Wild Remedy - Emma Mitchell

• The Well Gardened Mind - Sue Stuart-Smith

• No Dig Organic Home and Garden - Charles Dowding

• Nature Cure - Richard Mabey

Earlier this year, as part of the activity and support available through Flint Library and Wellbeing Hub, we teamed 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

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

Sporting memories

Are you a sports fan? Join us for our very first ‘Sporting Memories’ group starting Wednesday, May 19 at 10am via Zoom. ‘Sporting Memories’ sessions are aimed at people over 50 and are designed to get conversation flowing, help relive positive memories and provide joy and companionship. At Sporting Memories Clubs, everyone finds fun, friendship and increased wellbeing. Why not join us and find out what it’s all about! The sessions will run weekly and we hope to be able to meet in person very soon. For more information and to register for the session please email susannah.hill@aura.wales

Aura Book Corner

Our May 2021 book of the month is Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro.

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

Klara, an Artificial Friend, waits patiently in the store happily observing the world move around outside, anticipating the day that she will be chosen. Her extraordinary observational qualities allow her to see what other AF’s perhaps may not. Whilst positioned in the window, she notices the incredible ability of the sun to impact upon people’s lives and being solar powered herself, admires the Sun above all, and the nourishment his rays bring.

Through Klara’s eyes and outlook towards the people and world around her, we find ourselves questioning the true meaning of friendship and love. Klara and the Sun is a beautiful and touching novel: a ray of sunshine during these difficult times. This title gets an Aura Book Score of 5/5!

Klara and the Sun, along with other titles by Kazuo Ishiguro, 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 please call 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.

• 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.

From everyone here at Aura Libraries, thank you for reading, stay safe and we hope to hear from you or see you soon! Whilst we may be facing difficult times, remember: we are always united by books!

• 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.