Children's Author of the Month
Stephanie Burgis grew up in America but now lives in Wales with her husband, and fellow writer Patrick Samphire, their two young sons, and their extremely vocal tabby cat. She has spent time playing in orchestras, studying music in Vienna and editing the website of an opera company in Leeds. She likes to write fun, funny MG (middle grade) fantasy adventures for children and wildly romantic historical fantasy novels for adults. Stephanie is also a chocolate addict! You can borrow her books free from your local library.
Mindfulness
Do you need to relax after the hustle, bustle and stress of the festive season? Paying more attention to the present moment - to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you - can improve your mental wellbeing. Becoming more aware of the present moment can help us enjoy the world around us more and understand ourselves better. Wrexham Libraries have many books which can help you achieve this state of mind. Titles include The Healing Power of Mindfulness by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Mindfulness for Students by Stella Cottrell, Discover Meditation & Mindfulness by Tara Ward and Mindfulness: 25 Ways to Live in the Moment Through Art.
Ernest Hemingway at Wrexham Library
Ernest Hemingway was born in 1899. His father was a doctor and he was the second of six children. He settled in Paris where he renewed his earlier friendships with such fellow American expatriates as Ezra Pound and Gertrude Stein. Their encouragement and criticism were to play a valuable part in the formation of his style. Hemingway's first two published works were Three Stories and Ten Poems and In Our Time but it was the satirical novel, The Torrents of Spring that established his name more widely. His international reputation was firmly secured by his next three books; Fiesta, Men Without Women and A Farewell To Arms. His direct and deceptively simple style of writing spawned generations of imitators but no equals. Recognition of his position in contemporary literature came in 1954 when he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, following the publication of The Old Man and the Sea. He died in 1961. You can borrow any of these classic books from Wrexham Library.
Diwrnod Santes Dwynwen Day
January 25 is the day Welsh people celebrate St Dwynwen's Day. Dwynwen, the fifth century Welsh saint of lovers, fell in love with a man named Maelon Dafodrill. Maelon returned Dwynwen's feelings but they could not be together, for Dwynwen's father forbade the marriage and her father had already promised her to someone else. Distraught by her love for Maelon, Dwynwen prayed she would fall out of love with him. After falling asleep, in the woods Dwynwen was visited by an angel, who appeared carrying a sweet potion designed to erase all memory of Maelon and turn him into a block of ice. God then gave three wishes to Dwynwen. First she wished that Maelon be thawed, second that God met the hopes and dreams of true lovers and third that she should never marry ever. All three were fulfilled, and as a mark of her thanks, Dwynwen devoted herself to God's service for the rest of her life. To celebrate this year's Diwrnod Santes Dwynwen, why not borrow one of these lovely Welsh language books Cariad Pur by Pegi Talfryn, Cyffesion Saesneg yng Nghymru by Sarah Reynolds, Gwers Mewn Cariad by Becca Brown.
Learning at Lunchtime
If you like crafting, why not join us for this special session on Wednesday, February 2, 1pm-2pm, at Wrexham Library to celebrate Valentine's Day by making a special pop-up card and learn some paper folding techniques to make more at home. The session is free but you must book your place as spaces are limited. Please call the library on 01978 292090.
Book Review
Flora's Travelling Christmas Shop by Rebecca Raisin
Flora's Travelling Christmas Shop by Rebecca Raisin
I know Christmas has gone for another year, but as a lover of Christmas, I enjoyed this book so much becoming part of Flora's world, as she loves everything Christmas. Flora is quite eccentric, but when she is fired from her job, her boyfriend breaks up with her, and her childhood friend who she flat shares with is moving to the USA, she decides to fulfil her lifelong dream to go to Lapland in a campervan and set up her own Christmas shop. I found parts of it so funny I was laughing out loud to myself so much my family thought that I was going a little crazy. It certainly makes me want to go to Lapland to see the Aurora Borealis. A very enjoyable read, maybe a little far-fetched, but I'm sure could be enjoyed any time of the year by lovers of Christmas. Tina
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