Author of the Month
Our August 2021 Author of the Month is Bernardine Evaristo.
Celebrated as one of the most important voices in the literary world today, Bernardine Evaristo is a powerhouse author, academic, critic and playwright. Her works are often preoccupied with themes of history, race, gender, with a playful and captivating narrative style that is completely her own.
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 reading list to set you off on a Bernardine Evaristo adventure.
Where it all began: Island of Abraham (1994), Lara (1997)
Beloved title: The Emperor's Babe (2001); Blonde Roots (2009)
Most recently: Girl, Woman, Other (2019)
Aura Libraries top recommendation: Mr Loverman (2014)
Book of the Month
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
Our August Book of the Month is The Maidens by Alex Michaelides, bestselling author of The Silent Patient.
Grappling with the grief of losing her husband, group therapist Mariana Andros is thrown into yet another tragedy when she receives a troubled call from her niece Zoe. A young woman, one of Zoe's closest friends at Cambridge University, has been killed.
Mariana can't help but question the involvement of their alluring and sickly charismatic professor, Edward Fosca, who appears, to Mariana's frustration, to be untouchable. He is adored by staff and students alike, especially by his inner circle of female students who have created a secret society known as 'The Maidens'. Mariana is determined to stop the killer, not matter the cost.
A sensational page turner with a twist that no one could see coming, The Maidens is a gripping read, perfect for fans of crime fiction and murder mysteries.
We would give this title an Aura Book Score of 5/5.
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides, along with his debut bestselling novel The Silent Patient is available to borrow from your local Aura library!
Fit, Fed and Read
As a library service, we feel it is vital to get out and meet people in the community. A library should not just be about the building or the resources it houses: a library is about community, and it is important for families to be able to access and enjoy free activities together. This is one of the reason why we have been very much enjoying taking part in Fit, Fed and Read sessions this summer along with colleagues from Aura's Sport Development team. We are running sessions in: Holywell, Saltney, Flint, Deeside, Mold, Mostyn and Treuddyn. We hope you can join us!
For dates, locations and more information about the Fit, Fed and Read sessions, please visit the Aura Sport Development Facebook page: @AuraSportDev or contact your local library.
Summer Reading Challenge 2021
Have you signed up for this year's Summer Reading Challenge yet? The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children aged four to 11 to enjoy the benefits of reading for pleasure over the summer holidays. This year's theme is Wild World Heroes!
Pop in to your nearest library to grab your Wild World Heroes SRC Bag! There'll be lots of free fun activities to join in with at your local Aura library, or why not get out and about with us in the wilds of your local area. Follow a Story Trail or solve the treasure hunts or join us for 'Fit Fed and Read'! For more information contact your local library or find us on social media: @LlyfrgelloeddAuraLibraries (Facebook), @LibFlintshire (Twitter) and @llyfrgelloeddauralibraries (Instagram).
Reading Groups
Our next Reading Friends shared reading group sessions will be on Tuesday, August 10 from 11am-noon and Wednesday, August 11 from 7pm-8pm.
Our next Ffrindiau Darllen Cymraeg session for advanced Welsh learners and fluent speakers will be on Tuesday, August 10 at 7pm-8pm, followed by our session for intermediate Welsh learners on Wednesday, August 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
From everyone here at Aura Libraries, thank you for reading, stay safe 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.
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