Celebrate LGBTQ+ Month

February 2022 is LGBTQ+ History Month: a time to honour the past and present journeys led by the LGBTQ+ community and celebrate equality and love.

We have put together the following list of reading recommendations that bring together themes of equality, bravery, love and pride:

• Fiction:

 

Recommended reading for LGBTQ+ History Month.

Recommended reading for LGBTQ+ History Month.

 

The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr.

Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

Orlando by Virginia Woolf

The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters

Am Newid by Dana Edwards

• Non Fiction:

 

Recommended reading for LGBTQ+ History Month.

Recommended reading for LGBTQ+ History Month.

 

Y Daith Ydi Adra/The Journey is Home by John Sam Jones

Queer, There, and Everywhere: 23 People Who Changed the World by Sarah Prager

Tomorrow Will Be Different by Sarah McBride

Between Worlds: A Queer Boy from the Valleys by Jeffrey Weeks

We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib

On the Red Hill by Mike Parker

Remember: you can browse these titles and hundreds more on our online library catalogue! 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 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.

Aura Library members can download e-books and audiobooks free of charge from Borrowbox and Libby to a PC, laptop or Mac. Alternatively, you can download the Borrowbox and Libby 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

Big Welsh Rhyme Time

Aura Libraries, along with libraries across Wales, will be celebrating the Big Welsh Rhyme Time once again this year from February 7-11. We encourage you join the fun and come along to the library to collect a Big Welsh Rhymetime pack which includes stickers and a certificate. The Big Welsh Rhymetime, organised by Book Trust Cymru, encourages children aged 0-7 to share rhymes and songs in Welsh and English, helping them to develop speaking, listening and language skills before, or whilst, they learn to read.

Sharing rhymes and stories from a young age, and encouraging a love of reading can be help children to grow into great listeners and build their confidence and communication skills - plus it's a great way to have fun together as a group or family.

Book Trust Cymru will be sharing lots of wonderful rhymes and activities during the Big Welsh Rhymetme, find them social media by following @BookTrustCymru on Twitter or visiting their website: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/booktrust-cymru/

Creative Writing Workshops

If you're passionate about writing your own stories, why not join us for a free online creative writing course this Spring:

• Climate Champions - Suitable for children aged nine-11 years. This course focuses on how to write powerful and persuasive stories on the theme of climate change as part of our Winter of Wellbeing activities for young people.

Half term: Monday, February 21 to Thursday, February 24, 11am-12.30pm

After School: Tuesday, March 1, 2022 for four weeks, 5pm- 6.30pm.

• This is Me - Suitable for young people aged 16-25 years.

Half Term: Monday, February 21 to Thursday, February 24, 2pm-3.30pm

Weekend: Saturday, March 5 for four weeks, 11am-12.30pm.

Participants work will be showcased at an extra special event and will be shared on our e-book platform

To register for any of the courses please email charles@readnowwritenow.org.uk

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.