I keep coming across Welsh books that I don't (yet) have the time to read. So here is where I shall remind myself I should at least give them a go. I'll also add notes here when I do get round to reading them and I'll also add the few books I've read already. As such this a work in progress I'll hopefully return to regularly.
Just as background in case you've not come across my other posts. I'm a long-time Welsh learner mainly doing the 'slow and steady' approach with once a week classes and supporting outside activities but have attempted to 'step things up' a little over the last couple of years with a twice a week course and an intensive course at the end of last year. As a result I'm at level Uwch2 and supposedly ready for the pseudo A-level (Welsh as a 2nd Language) which, to my shame, 5 or 6 of my fellow students are preparing for currently (24/03/2015). Maybe next year.
Dirgel ddyn by Morgan, Mihangel
This is one of the choice of 'A-leve'l books and my tutor is particularly keen on this author. I borrowed this book from the library a few weeks ago, struggled through the first page due to the complexity of the vocabulary and put it to one side as I had another to try. I had been told it was a difficult but good book but as I've been put off wading through books like this in the past as it is just not enjoyable I may return to the library and try again at a later date.
On a related note there is an opinion that you shouldn't get too bogged down reading books in your second language expecting to understand every word and that if you appreciate the gist/ main threads this is sufficient. I can appreciate the argument and even agree, to a degree, but this may come down to the type and character of the reader. Personally I find it frustrating if there are too many words in a page that I can't work out from the context. It also spoils the reading experience as the length of time it takes and the complexity of the process of 'reading' compromises the ability to appreciate and hence enjoy the story.
Blodwen Jones Trilogy by Bethan Gwanas
Bywyd Blodwen Jones (1999)
Blodwen Jones a'r Aderyn Prin (2001)
Tri Chynnig i Blodwen Jones (2003)
These books were great for me at my stage of learning - Canolradd if memory serves. They are part of the Nofelau Nawr series for adult Welsh learners. Compared to the book in the same series I tried to read over one summer (Deltanet - see below) they were a joy to read. The level was more appropriate to me and they were amusing. The dialect was not the South Walian I was used to but, hey, you need to get used to the regional variations at some point.
Deltanet, Andras Millward
Didn't like this book. To be fair it might have been too high a level for me when I started. When I returned to it a year later after reading the Blodwen Jones series I did enjoy it more.
Modrybedd Afradlon, Mihangel Morgan
Struggled a bit again to get into it but finished the second half at a good pace which I think is key to enjoying a book. I agree with the review at http://ssiw.pbworks.com/w/page/36027266/Fiction%20and%20Poetry.
Smoc Gron Back by Eirug Wyn (1994, 192 pages)
There was an excerpt from this book as part of a homework in course Uwch 2 and it was a) good and b) intriguing, so I ordered the book from the library immediately. I now have 3 books out for the library so I'll have to decide which one to go for and return the other 2 for the enjoyment of others. I think it'll be this one I go for.
Noson Yr Heliwr by Lyn Ebenezer (1994, 160 pages)
Another of the A level reading books. Heading towards the 'horror' genre direction judging by the blurb and the first couple of pages. Based on a film apparently. One of those waiting for me to return to.