Want to read more in 2023?

Jan 25, 2023

Want to read more in 2023, but not really sure where to start?

Here are a few ideas and suggestions that might help

 

Reading Recommendations

Not sure what to read? Looking for recommendations? Try podcasts that discuss books. The Storytellers’s Podcast with Gary Raymond, talks to leading writers about their relationships with the art of storytelling, Graffeg’s Meet The Author podcast, features conversations with a range of their authors and illustrators, while Seren’s Poetry Podcast interviews leading poets and shares recordings of their work.

Or why not call by your local bookshop? Booksellers have a wealth of knowledge. From books by new authors just arrived on the shelves to old favourites by well-known authors, shop staff can advise you. Several shops also host events and readings that will no doubt fuel the desire to start reading a new book. Pop in!

 

Reading together

Reading doesn’t have to be something you do alone. Being a member of a Book Club is an opportunity to discuss specific books in detail, to share tips and exchange ideas – and a chance to put the world to rights over a cup or pint!

Cardiff Feminist Book Club and Swansea Feminist Book Club meet monthly, while book clubs also meet in libraries across Wales. No book club near you? Why not set one up? A chance to read, discuss books and socialise – what better?

 

Join your Local Library

Want to read something completely different but don’t want to buy the book until you’re absolutely sure you’ll enjoy it? Join your local library!  Not only can you borrow an amazing variety of books, both old and new, in Welsh and English, you can also take advantage of a host of other services. Borrow Box is an app for library members for lending e-books and audiobooks in both languages, while Libby gives access to a wide range of magazines electronically, free of charge.

 

Use Ffolio

It’s so easy for us to be sucked in by our phone, tempting us to scroll endlessly and directionlessly. Why not download a book to your phone via ffolio.wales instead? Ffolio sells Welsh e-books in both Welsh and English, while also supporting your choice of bookseller at no extra cost to you. New books such as Luke Upton’s Rugby’s Greatest Mavericks, or Jasmine Donahaye’s Birdsplaining, are available at your fingertips while waiting for the bus or eating your lunch.

 

Your choice

Instead of reading the books everyone claims you should read, read the ones that you want to read, that entice you. And if you don’t enjoy them, don’t feel like you have to read to the end, to the very last page. Life’s too short! This may not be the book for you, or it may not be the time to read this particular title – so try another book. There’s more than enough for everyone on the shelf!

 

 

 

Football World Cup

Jan 3, 2023

The Little Welsh Football Fan

by Mark Williams

The little Welsh fan has a chance to see Wales play in a major tournament! A perfect story 3–5-year-old football fans!

Alun the Bear and the Football Match

by Morgan Tomos

Alun has the opportunity to train with the Wales football team.  But he can’t play very well so he decides to be a referee instead.  But what kind of a referee will Alun be?

First Sticker Book – Football

An entertaining, bilingual sticker book portraying an exciting story about Llewod Llandre in two important football games, and on a hard day on the training field.

Stupendous Sports: Fantastic Football

by Robin Bennett

Hilarious, but factual too, Fantastic Football is as much about the spirit of the beautiful game as the rules. From the origins of football, when matches went on for days, to today’s fasicinating facts and amazing stories. Plus, a spotlight on what makes the greatest players so great.

Welsh Football Colouring Book

by Anne Cakebread

A fun colouring book for all Welsh football fans – children and adults alike! Dynamic outlines of memorable images of 21 key moments in Wales’s recent footballing recent history to colour and bring to life.

On the right track for a good story

Jan 3, 2023

Launching a free books scheme for Cambrian Line train passengers

Passengers traveling on the Cambrian Line will be invited to escape into a good book this autumn as the Books Council of Wales and Cambrian Railway Partnership join forces to offer free books to travellers and help the miles speed by.

This pilot programme with the Cambrian Railway Partnership, which will run throughout autumn and winter, celebrates the Books Council’s Quick Reads scheme, which offers a series of short, engaging books for readers of all tastes and reading abilities. Books will be available to collect at Aberystwyth and Machynlleth stations, for readers to either borrow and return either end of their journey, or to keep and continue reading at home.

Angharad Wyn Sinclair, Project Development Manager at the Books Council of Wales said: ‘We are thrilled to be working in partnership with the Cambrian Railway Partnership on this exciting pilot, introducing the Quick Reads titles to passengers and enriching their journeys with a good read! Taking some time out with a book as you travel is a great way to explore the world from the comfort of your train seat.’

Stuart Williams, Chair of the Cambrian Railway Partnership said: ‘We hope our customers will enjoy the books in the Quick Reads scheme, which can be easily picked up from displays in the ticket halls at both Aberystwyth and Machynlleth train stations, thanks to this new partnership with the Books Council.  Train journeys can provide an opportunity to switch off for a while and we hope that this scheme will help our passengers get more out of their train journeys.’

This year’s four new titles are available through the scheme, as well as titles from previous years.  The two new Welsh language titles are Dau Frawd, Dwy Gem: Stori’r Carabangos by Dylan Ebenezer, and Un Noson, by Llio Elain Madocks. The new English language titles are Return to the Sun by Tom Anderson, and The Replacement Centre by Fflur Dafydd.

The Quick Reads series is perfect for readers who may struggle to find the time for reading or who may be less confident in their reading abilities. Typically less than 100 pages long, the Quick Reads titles are designed to offer readers a short, engaging read – perfect for helping passengers make use of some downtime on their journey. Quick Reads is coordinated in Wales by the Books Council of Wales and supported by the Welsh Government.