Football World Cup

If seeing the teams taking part in the football World Cup inspires you to visit some of the countries playing, Wrexham Library has travel guides for many of the 48 countries. Among the favourites to win are Brazil and France. The latest Eyewitness Travel guides are available for both these countries. The two home nations, Wales and England, are among the earliest to play. So if your football allegiance and travel plans are closer to home, Wrexham Library holds copies of the leading travel guides, such as Lonely Planet and Rough Guide, for Wales and England too. If you are not interested in the football then browsing the travel guides can not only help you plan your next holiday but also act as a distraction to all the football on the television.

Author of the Month

Noelle Holten was born in Ireland, educated in Toronto Canada but now resides in the UK. She is an award-winning blogger at www.crimebookjunkie.co.uk and also a PR and social media manager for Bookouture, a leading digital publisher in the UK. She has also worked as a senior probation officer for 18 years, covering a variety of cases, including those involving serious domestic abuse. Noelle has three Hons BAs - Philosophy, Sociology (Crime & Deviance) and Community Justice, a Diploma in Probation Studies and a Masters in Criminology. Her hobbies include reading, attending as many book festivals as she can afford and sharing the 'booklove' via her blog. Dead Inside – her debut novel with One More Chapter/Harper Collins UK was an international kindle bestseller and the start of a new series featuring DC Maggie Jamieson. 6 Ripley Avenue is her first stand-alone crime thriller and hopefully not her last!

Book sales!

Rhos and Llay libraries are currently holding sales of library books which have been withdrawn from stock. Books will cover all categories and will be in good condition. If you would like to grab yourself a bargain and relax with a good book this coming winter then why not visit these libraries.

Football Exhibition at Rhos Library

From November 18 to December 18, 2022, to coincide with the World Cup 2022, Rhos Library will have a football exhibition. The display will consist of memorabilia that has kindly been loaned to the library from Rhos Aelwyd Football Club. The club first formed in January 1943 was originally run as a youth side and became the first to capture the Urdd Gobaith Cymru's Pantyfedwen Cup in 1955. After amalgamating with Ponciau Aelwyd in 1958/59 it completed the Cup and League double in the Welsh National League's Second Division. The club has had numerous successes over the years and in 2019 a Junior Section was established. Currently the club has six junior teams playing in the Wrexham and District Junior League. To coincide with this the library will be running a 'Design your own World Cup' competition which will be open to the pupils of the four local schools in the area, and the club has kindly donated a Match standard football as a prize for the winner.

Cost of Living help

Did you know libraries can help with your cost of living? We have free access to national newspapers, access to hundreds of magazines including Welsh magazines, access to thousands of bestselling and classic books for children and adults, access to books and literature to support your health and wellbeing and learning plus access to warm places. We also provide access to groups and activities for adults and children, most of them free of charge. Our regular free events include Story and Rhyme Times in Welsh and English for young children, Reading Groups for all ages, Friendship groups, Knit and Natter/Craft groups, children's activities and Welsh conversational groups. For details of these events and much more visit www.wrexham.gov.uk/libraries or follow us on social media. Your local library can support and be there for you this winter.

Book Review

The Museum Of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle

The Museum Of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle

The Museum Of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle

Another wonderful book from Mike Gayle! I was first introduced to Mike Gayle's books when Half A World Away was chosen as our book club monthly read, and subsequently got to know the author through his weekly Facebook Lives during lockdown. Since then, I've eagerly awaited the publication of his next book! With a very intriguing title, The Museum of Ordinary People follows Jess through a time in her life that is very emotional. The loss of her mum has given rise to her reassessing her own life, both in terms of relationships and work choices. The story begins with Jess emptying her mother's home so that it can be sold, and this is where Mike Gayle's ability to convey feelings and thoughts first shines through. He was spot on and from there on in the story just grabbed me with two giant hands! Other readers will no doubt identify with that feeling deep inside where you just connect with what's written. I loved the characters in this book and truly connected with a poignant and thoughtful novel. A novel which shows that loss of a loved one can sometimes make us re-evaluate our own lives and, if we're brave enough, change direction. Lynda