Aura Libraries' reading recommendations for Black History Month

Black History Month celebrates the heritage, culture, and achievements of Black people in the UK, and this year’s theme of ‘Proud to Be’, is inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. We have put together the following booklist of titles made up of historical and contemporary black voices from all over the world. We hope these titles inspire, inform and captivate our library members:

• Historical Titles: Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin; Small Island by Andrea Levy; Beloved by Toni Morrison; Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison; Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston; The Colour Purple by Alice Walker

• Contemporary titles: Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead; A More Perfect Union by Tammye Huf; How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones; Real Life by Brandon Taylor; Love in Colour by Bolu Babalola; The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré

• Titles for children: You Are A Champion by Marcus Rashford; When Life Gives You Mangos by Kereen Getten; The Boy with Wings by Lenny Henry; Son of the Circus: A Victorian Story by E L Norry; Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country by Atinuke; A Change Is Gonna Come by Katherine Johnson

Some recommended reading for Black History Month.

All these titles are available to borrow from your local Aura library, and some of them are also available as e-books or audiobooks on Borrowbox. As a reminder, Aura Library members can download e-books and audiobooks free of charge from Borrowbox and RBdigital to a PC, laptop or Mac. Alternatively, download the Borrowbox and RBdigital apps directly to a smartphone or tablet.

To access most online library resources you will need to enter your library membership number and pin. If you do not have this then you can join up as a member online via the Aura website for instant access. All links and further details about our digital library resources can be found on our website: www.aura.wales/libraries

Why not add one or more of the above titles to your next Select and Collect order: search our online library catalogue and reserve titles, or email or telephone your local library. To make an order please telephone us on 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.

Collage workshops with artist Simon Grennan

We are delighted to be hosting some fantastic collage workshops with artist Simon Grennan across our libraries in October and November. Participants will be able to make their own exciting visual stories, using Victorian magazines and print, collage and drawing. These sessions are suitable for both adults and children (children under 12-years-old must be accompanied by an adult) and materials will all be provided on the day.

Simon Grennan has been making new animated films for a project called Drawing Blood, Drawing Poison, Drawing Fire. The animations digitally cut up and transform an 1880s book in Gladstone’s Library, Hawarden.

The workshops will be held on the following dates:

Monday, October 25 10am-noon at Flint Library

Thursday, October 28 10am-noon at Mold Library

Monday, November 15 2pm-4pm at Broughton Library

Tuesday, November 16 2pm-4pm at Connah's Quay Library

Wednesday, November 17 10am-noon at Deeside Library

Friday, November 19, 10am-noon at Holywell Library

Thursday, November 2pm-4pm at Buckley Library

Come along to the library and join Simon to create your own exciting visual stories using Victorian magazines and print, collage and drawing! If you would like to register for one of the workshops, please contact your local library or email: susannah.hill@aura.wales

• Visit us on social media to view handy information about our services and the online monthly events we host, as well as lots of book and audiobook recommendations.

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.