Dydd Santes Dwynwen reading recommendations across Flintshire

Children and young people across Wales are being urged to nominate the books that make them feel better as part of the Reading Agency's Winter of Wellbeing initiative. The aim of the Winter of Wellbeing initiative is to promote the proven difference reading can make to young people's lives and the power of public libraries to support them. To celebrate the launch, children and young people are being invited to nominate and share a book that's made a positive difference to how they feel. A national longlist will be announced at the end of this month, as a host of events and activities launch online and in libraries. Nominations are open to all books, in Welsh or in English, including fiction, non-fiction, picture books, poetry, Manga, graphic novels and more.

As the pandemic continues to dominate our daily lives, the Welsh Government-funded Winter of Wellbeing is a cross-Wales bid to help children and young people recover from the pandemic and head into spring feeling better, more connected to others and ready for a new start.

Author Manon Steffan Ros said: "Libraries are community hubs and there is nothing like them to centralise the social experience of being in a community, or to democratise knowledge. Young people don't always think of libraries as their space, but it really is and this campaign will showcase all that libraries can offer them.

"Books can introduce you to others just like you. Make you realise you're not alone, even if it feels that way. I am so looking forward to see what children and young people recommend."

Public libraries have teamed up with The Reading Agency on this campaign and the seasonal celebration of reading will continue through to the end of March with a programme of activities and events delivered online and in libraries.

For more information on the Winter of Wellbeing and how your child or you can nominate a book go to www.readingagency.org.uk/winterofwellbeing or to go straight to the nomination page at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/H5CRYBK.

Dydd Santes Dwynwen

We have selected 10 fabulous reads that celebrate love for you to delve into this Dydd Santes Dwynwen (St Dwynwen's Day, January 25):

Romantic reading for St Dwynwen's Day.

Pum Diwrnod a Phriodas by Marlyn Samuel

Sol a Lara by Tony Bianchi

Mr Perffaith/Mr Perfect by Joanna Davies

Poems of Love and Longing, a collection of poetry by contemporary Welsh poets

Hoff Gerddi Serch Cymru, a collection of poetry edited by Bethan Mair

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

19 Love Songs by David Levithan

Love in Colour by Bolu Babalola

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Just Like You by Nick Hornby

All of the above titles are available to borrow from Aura libraries as books, e-books or audiobooks. 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 phone your local library. To make an order phone 01352 703750, or email 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.

Reading Friends

We have added an additional Reading Friends session at Deeside Library which will take place every first Tuesday of the month 6pm-7pm, starting on February 1. Our Reading Friends shared reading groups are a great way share a love of reading and discuss the wonderful world of books – plus they offer a space for people to stay connected and socialise.

We also have the following Ffrindiau Darllen/Reading Friends sessions:

Ffrindiau Darllen Cymraeg for intermediate Welsh learners: second Monday of the month 2pm-3pm (Zoom session)

Reading Friends Shared Reading Group: second Tuesday of the month 2pm at Flint Library

Reading Friends Shared Reading Group: second Thursday of the month 11am at Mold Library

Reading Friends Shared Reading Group: second Tuesday of the month 1pm at Deeside Library

Ffrindiau Darllen Cymraeg for Welsh speakers and advanced learners: second Tuesday of the month 7pm-8pm (Mold Library/ Zoom session – contact Francesca for details: francesca.sciarrillo@aura.wales)

Reading Friends Shared Reading Group: second Wednesday of the month 7pm-8pm (Zoom session)

Children's Reading Group: last Thursday of the month 4pm-5pm (Zoom session)

For more information about our online Reading Friends sessions, please email susannah.hill@aura.wales

If you would like to attend one or more of our Reading Friends sessions please contact the library directly:

Deeside Library: 01352 703770 deeside.library@aura.wales

Flint Library: 01352 703737 flint.library@aura.wales

Mold Library: 01352 703780 mold.library@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.