Riveting Rural Reads!
As the agricultural and local county show season kicks off during the National Year of Reading in Wales 2008, we ask some of the leading lights of the agri-scene in Wales to tell us a little about what they view as gripping page turners and their essential reads.
Elin Jones AM, Minister for Rural Affairs "When younger, I used to read all the time, now however, mainly due to work commitments, I am only able to focus on reading during Christmas and summer holidays. I generally only read fiction but in both Welsh and English. My favourite novel over the past few years has been Caryl Lewis' 'Martha, Jac a Sianco', which has now also been published in English. The Ceredigion characters and language were very real for me, as was 'The Long Dry' by Cynan Jones.
Ian McEwan is one of my favourite authors and I've also enjoyed the relaxed simplicity of the 'The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency' novels. I like to become completely absorbed by a strong storyline and I don't want novels to scare me or try to educate me. My current book is 'The Withered Root' by Rhys Davies, published as part of the successful Library of Wales Series."
Dai Davies, NFU Cymru President: "I don't tend to read many books as such, except when I'm on holiday when I try to cram in reading as many as possible, usually achieving to read about 3-4 during a week. I really enjoy escaping between the pages of historic novels and books, amongst my recent favourites is 'The Rose of Sebastopol'. I have fond memories of relaxing in the sun with a glass of vino tinto whilst indulging in a good book."
Gareth Vaughan, FUW President: "When I get the opportunity to put my feet up and delve between the pages of a good book I tend to stick to autobiographical or biographical books rather than fiction. I particularly favour books which reflect my work and life, following the adventures of Dai Jones Llanilar or Edryd Howells the Ponterwyd sheep farmer around the countryside. Visualising Dai Jones meeting the characters from agricultural and rural communities of Wales, and his dialogue with them, is something I derive great pleasure from and is a very welcome relief after a hard day's work."
Some of the top agri-reads as suggested by the Welsh Books Council, coordinators of the National Year of Reading in Wales, include:
The Long Dry, Cynan Jones
A Rural Miscellany, Roscoe Howells
On Open Ground, Tia Jones
Village Wales, David Williams
Dictionary of the place-names of Wales, Hywel Wyn Owen & Richard Morgan
Martha, Jac a Sianco, Caryl Lewis
Llyfr Natur Iolo, Iolo Williams
Natur y Flwyddyn, Bethan Wyn Jones
The National Year of Reading in Wales brings together people from all across Wales to share the joy of reading. A wide range of activities have already taken place as part of the year ranging from locally arranged reading groups through to the Give a Book Week and Reading Communities initiatives. Further details about how individuals and communities can get involved can be found on the National Year of Reading website at www.yearofreadingwales.org.uk
