Author of the Month

Glenda Young was born and bred in the coal mining village of Ryhope, a coastal village on the southern boundary of Sunderland. Her saga novels are set in and around this former coal mining village that formed part of the Durham Coalfield. Glenda's historical sagas all portray a feisty young heroine, showcasing strong North East women in adversity and putting female empowerment centre stage in an early 20th century northern pit village. Her latest release The Paper Mill Girl is the fifth in an initial six book deal which has been extended by the publisher Headline with further northeast set sagas planned for 2022 and 2023. Apart from historical sagas, this year Glenda was given the opportunity to move to a new genre and her first cosy crime book, Murder at the Seaview Hotel, set in the Yorkshire seaside town of Scarborough. This features a troupe of 12 Elvis impersonators, called Twelvis, one of them is found dead with his blue suede shoes stolen. This will be followed by two further Seaview Hotel cosy crimes in May 2022 and May 2023.

Find My Past

Find My Past is an online genealogy service which was the first company in the world to make the complete birth, marriage, and death indexes for England and Wales available online. Find My Past has over two billion searchable records worldwide which can be accessed free of charge via www.wrexham.gov.uk/libraries and follow the Online Services link. If you would like to trace your family tree, or you've wondered what your ancestors did for a living or you would like to view some war records then visit this great resource today. For full free access to the package, please email library@wrexham.gov.uk for an email password and code.

Book Boxes for Schools

We often see stories about declining reading frequency and concerns that parents are not reading to their children often enough. But why does it matter? There is strong evidence linking reading for pleasure and educational outcomes. We know academic attainment is of vital importance, but the benefits of reading for pleasure go beyond this and stretch throughout a person's life. All libraries are now offering Book Boxes to schools who are not comfortable visiting the library during the pandemic. To apply for a Book Box, please contact your local library and discuss with library staff what books your class would like to read. Contact details can be found on our website www.wrexham.gov.uk/libraries

Books for All

Three libraries within Wrexham County Borough have received complimentary collections of new books from a Welsh Government and Welsh Books Council funded project who aim to provide libraries with books published in 2020, that relate to Wales; its history and culture. The collection includes adult books in both English and Welsh and includes novels, autobiographies, and books for learners and Welsh history. The collection is called Books For All and will be situated at Wrexham, Brynteg and Rhos libraries. The Royal Welsh Cookbook, Saving Rugby Union: the price of professionalism, The Clydach Murders: a miscarriage of justice, Wild Places: Wales top 40 nature sites, Welsh in 12 weeks, Cawl a Streaeon Eraill, Cylchoedd, Agor y Drws: 6 stori i ddysgwyr and C'mon Reff! are just a few of the titles which form part of this exciting new collection. If you would like to add them to your next Order and Collect list just call your local library.

Couch to 5k

Couch to 5k is a running plan for absolute beginners. It was developed by a new runner, Josh Clark, who wanted to help his 50-something mum get off the couch and start running, too. Probably the biggest challenge a new runner faces is not knowing how or where to start. Couch to 5k works because it starts with a mix of running and walking to gradually build up your fitness and stamina. Couch to 5k is for everyone. Whether you've never run before or you just want to get more active, Couch to 5k is a free and easy way of getting fitter and healthier and the library service has a range of books to support and help you along the way. Titles include Joe Wicks: The 30 Day Kick Start Plan; How to Cook Healthy; The Doctor's Kitchen; The Complete Book of Men's Health; Jog On; This Mum Runs and Why Running Matters. If you would like to order any of these books please contact your local library.

Book Review

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

If you're looking for a book to hibernate with, this is the one. An epic, sweeping novel which takes us from wealthy Park Avenue in New York to the deserts of Las Vegas and on to snowy Amsterdam. It charts the adventures of Theodore Decker, beginning with him aged 13 being involved in a tragic event which changes the course of his life completely. From then on, everything centres on a beautiful painting, The Goldfinch, which becomes Theodore's rock in an ever-changing and agitated adolescence and sets him on a path to a large cast of characters who shape Theo's life in a myriad of ways. I couldn't put this book down, and I feel it was well-deserving of its Pulitzer Prize in 2014. It is a novel full of twists and turns, part action, part love story. Donna Tartt writes captivatingly about the shifting nature of life, love, and the stoic power of things of beauty which remain steadfast in a tumultuous world.