Aura Libraries Flintshire: July's Author and Book of the Month

Our Author of the Month is the wonderful Salman Rushdie. He has been described by many to be one of the most influential and important literary voices of our time. A master of magical realism, Rushdie's works often weave together fairy tale or fable like elements, with a captivating sense of place and history.

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

Where it all began: Grimus (1975), Midnight's Children (1981)

The game changers: The Satanic Verses (1988), The Moor's Last Sigh (1995)

For younger readers: Haroun and the Sea of Stories (1990), Luka and the Fire of Life (2010)

Most recently: Quichotte (2019), Languages of truth: essays 2003-2020 (2021)

Aura Libraries top recommendation: The Enchantress of Florence (2008)

Select and Collect

It has been wonderful to see the community return to our library buildings. Whilst the libraries are open for select browsing, we are still really enjoying putting your Select and Collect orders together. You can browse and reserve items for collection via our online library catalogue at www.aura.wales/flintshire-library-catalogue/

We will just need to know your library membership number, a contact phone number and email address, your book requests/preferences, and your preferred collection point. If you would like to make an order, please telephone us on 01352 703750, or email us at libraries@aura.wales .

Aura Book Corner: Book of the Month

Aura Libraries' July 2021 book of the month is: Madam by Phoebe Wynne.

Madam by Phoebe Wynne

Caldonbrae Hall, a 150-year-old boarding school for girls, sits upon a rocky cliff top: an example to all of excellence and tradition. Rose Christie can't believe her luck when she is employed to be the school's new Classics teacher and head of department, not to mention the first hire for the school in over a decade. Her morals and beliefs are quickly challenged as she familiarises herself with the school's traditional culture, finding solace in the stories of Greek and Roman heroines that she passes on to her students.

Before long, Rose becomes anxious to discover the truth behind the sudden dismissal of her predecessor who haunts her at every corner. As Rose strives to uncover the truth, she must examine her own role and the impact that her teaching and influence could have on her pupils, encouraging them to take control for themselves.

A modern yet hauntingly gothic tale, with a plethora of heroines to root for, Madam is an engrossing page turner, full of fright. Madam gets an Aura Book Score of 4/5. If this book sounds right up your street, why not add it to your next Select and Collect order.

Computer use at your local Aura Library

As a reminder, computers are 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

Monthly reading groups

Our next Reading Friends shared reading group sessions will be on Tuesday, July 13 from 11am-noon and Wednesday, July 14 from 7pm-8pm.

Our next Ffrindiau Darllen Cymraeg session for advanced Welsh learners and fluent speakers will be on Tuesday, July 13 at 7pm-8pm, followed by our session for intermediate Welsh learners on Wednesday, July 14, 2pm-3pm.

Our monthly reading groups are fun, welcoming and a space for people to get together and socialise whilst sharing a love of reading! For more information or to join, please email susannah.hill@aura.wales

• 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.