With One Voice

We are pleased to announce that on December 3 at 7 PM, Gordon Goldsborough will be reading from his new book "With One Voice: A History of Municipal Governance in Manitoba" at Pennywise Books.

Local governments provide the facilities and services that each of us use on a daily basis. They are responsible for ensuring that our faucets deliver clean water, the sewers take away our wastes, and garbage and recyclables are collected. They build and maintain our roads, operate our libraries, protect us from fire and crime, and in bygone days, they equipped our schools and hospitals. No wonder that villages, towns, cities and rural municipalities have been described as “the most important level of government.”

With One Voice describes over 100 years in the history of Manitoba from a municipal perspective, covering such topics as daylight saving time, income and property taxes, rural electrification, the war waged on gophers and other animal pests in farm fields, the colour of margarine (it was not always yellow!), and video lottery terminals. Woven through the story are sidebar articles on the history of parking meters, pioneering women in politics, Manitoba ghost towns, Sunday shopping, and much more. With One Voice is, quite literally, a history of everyday life in Manitoba.

Gordon Goldsborough is a member of the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Manitoba, and Director of the University’s Delta Marsh Field Station on Lake Manitoba. He is a water quality specialist concerned with the impacts of humans on lakes and wetlands. He is the Chair of the Lake Manitoba Stewardship Board, a member of the Manitoba Water Council, and a representative for Canada on the International Joint Commission’s International Red River Board.

Besides his scientific interests, Goldsborough is involved in the Manitoba heritage community, being the Webmaster and a Past President of the Manitoba Historical Society, an editor of Manitoba History magazine, and a member of the Management Committee for Dalnavert Museum.

On December 3, be sure to come down to Pennywise Books for this free event and learn more about some of our province's history that you never knew you never knew.

King of Obsolete

In the mid-1990's Joey Barnes of Alexander, Manitoba moved to Lynn Lake and established himself as the "King of Obsolete" in his Kingdom on the outskirts of town. Lynn Lake has two restaurants, no shopping malls, no fast food delivery and no banks. Most supplies are brought in 300 km from Thompson or by bus from southern communities.

The King of Obsolete, among other things, spends much of his winter running cat trains. Most of the equipment he uses for his winter freighting activities, and just about everything else he does, is from the 1950s and have been brought back to life by remodeling them and using whatever parts were available.

On November 27 at 7 PM, the King of Obsolete (aka Joey Barnes) will be at Pennywise Books to talk about his first book "King of Obsolete: Cat Train Newsletters" and relate some of his stories about making a living with old equipment and loving every minute of it.

If you enjoy storytellers, would like to learn about real life in the North, or are a hobbyist that likes to tinker with old machinery, be sure to come down and meet the King in person. To read more about the King's adventures, visit his website at www.kingofobsolete.ca.

I hope to see you here!

On the Same Page - In Search of April Raintree

Pennywise Books is pleased to announce that they will be participating as a host venue for the 2008 On The Same Page reading series. On The Same Page (OTSP) has a goal of to strengthening the bond in a community by encouraging people to read the same book at the same time. Although there have been similar program in cities across Canada and around the world, OTSP is the first project of its kind to involve the entire province.

Organizers unanimously chose In Search of April Raintree, because in its 25th anniversary year, this novel has become a classic of Canadian literature. Its content touches on themes and issues relevant to every generation and every Manitoban, perhaps pointing to why this renowned book is one of the most high in demand from provincial libraries.

In Search of April Raintree, first published in 1983, tells the profoundly powerful (and semi-autobiographical) story of two young sisters taken from their home and family. Powerless to change their fortunes, they are separated, and each put into foster homes. Yet over the years, the bond between them grows. As they each make their way in a society that is, at times, indifferent, hostile, and violent, one embraces her Métis identity, while the other tries to leave it behind. In the end, out of tragedy, comes an unexpected legacy of triumph and reclamation.

The author, Beatrice Mosionier, was born in St. Boniface, Manitoba. The youngest of four children, she grew up in foster homes. After a short time living in Toronto, where she attended college, she returned to Winnipeg.

Following the loss of two of her sisters to suicide, Beatrice decided to write In Search of April Raintree. First published in 1983 it has become a Canadian classic. Beatrice is also the author of several children's books, including: Spirit of the White Bison, Christopher's Folly and Unusual Friendships: A Little Black Cat and a Little White Rat. Her second novel, In the Shadow of Evil, was published in 2000.

Please join us on November 20 at 7:00 PM for this event.

Chris Wattie

In 2006, a Canadian Army patrol traveling through Afghanistan’s Panjawayi region, came across the largest build-up of Taliban forces in the area since their fall in 2001. Up against opponents who were suicidal, experienced and knew well the lay of the land, this Canadian battalion suffered more casualties and earned more decorations for bravery than any other Canadian unit since the Korean War.

On Thursday, October 30, at 7:00 p.m., author and journalist Chris Wattie will read and share stories from his new book, Contact Charlie: The Canadian Army, The Taliban and the Battle that Saved Afghanistan.

In Contact Charlie, National Post reporter and embedded journalist Chris Wattie offers an intimate and harrowing look at the series of battles that would eventually take the lives of seven soldiers, including Captain Nichola Goddard, Canada's first female combat casualty. Based on Wattie’s own experience in Afghanistan, as well as hundreds of post-tour interviews with the men and women on the ground, Contact Charlie is a rare piece of military writing, providing readers with a behind-the-scenes look at the stories that made headlines that summer—and continue to do so today.

Authors Appearing in October

What would the fall be without more authors appearing at Pennywise Books? I don't know either, and I'm not really interested in finding out.

Pennywise is pleased to announce that we will be hosting two authors during the month of October.

Ravenstone, an imprint of Turnstone Press and Pennywise Books are proud to announce Michael Van Rooy will be reading and signing copies of his latest book, Your Friendly Neighbourhood Criminal. This event will take place at 7:00 PM on October 23 at Pennywise Books.

Your Friendly Neighbourhood Criminal is the follow-up to the Sykes Best First Book winner An Ordinary Decent Criminal (which the Winnipeg Free Press' Lindor Reynolds called "astonishingly good…"). This time out, ex-con Montgomery "Monty" Haaviko would prefer to be known as the friendly neighbourhood daycare provider, but it's his criminal expertise that brings him unwanted attention from new acquaintances and old friends. A human rights activist named Marie Blue Duck wants Monty to do good; local drug smuggler Samantha Richot wants him to do bad; and his old jailhouse crony, Hershel "Smiley" Wiebe, well, Monty has no idea what Smiley wants. Which is very bad…

And what is very good? The novel of course. Chadwick Ginther from McNallyRobinson.com claims that "Montgomery Haaviko, [is] one of the most complex and enjoyable crime protagonists [he has] ever read." Michael has also signed on to do two more Monty Haaviko books with Ravenstone, an imprint of Turnstone Press. Criminals are Forever and The Criminal Code are scheduled for release in 2010 and 2012, respectively.

If you're a fan of crime fiction, action adventure, or just like to see Winnipeg in fiction then come down to Pennywise Books, meet the author and get yourself a copy of Your Friendly Neighbourhood Criminal. You'll be glad you did.


Prior to this event, however, local author Joyce Slobogian will be at Pennywise to talk about her book To Die For. On Thursday, October 16 at 7:00 PM, Joyce will read from and talk about her novel.

Joyce started writing for publication after retiring from her career in clerical work. Since 1994, her writing - humour columns, profiles, and short stories - have been published in several Canadian newspapers and magazines. A member of the Manitoba Writers' Guild (MWG) and the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC), she has lately started writing longer stories in the mystery genre. To Die For is her first suspense story.

To Die For is the story of eighteen-year-old Nina, who has gone missing and Maggie, her desperate mother. Maggie begs her friend Connie to search for her daughter even though Connie has no experience in detective work. She reluctantly agrees to do waht she can, but when it becomes clear that Nina was abducted, it becomes a police investigation. Sergeant Bowering and Constable Fielding of the Brandon Police Service soon discover a number of suspects in the case, but proof is missing, and the clues are getting more confusing every day. Meanwhile, there is no sign of Nina anywhere. Should Connie stay out of it, as she is advised to do? But she made a promise to her friend; and she won't break her word, even when it becomes clear that by persisting in her quest, she puts herself in danger.

Winnipeg Writers Festival... at Pennywise!

At 7:30 PM on September 22, Pennywise Books will be pleased to host two authors - Alison Calder and Kevin Marc Fournier - as part of the Winnipeg International Writers Festival.

Alison Calder was born in England, grew up in Saskatoon, and lives now in Winnipeg, where she teaches Canadian literature and creative writing at the University of Manitoba. In addition to scholarly material, she has published a chapbook, Ghost Works: Improvisations in Letters and Poems, in collaboration with Jeanette Lynes, and one poetry collection, Wolf Tree (Coteau), which won The Aqua Books Lansdowne Prize for Poetry and the Eileen McTavish Sykes Award for Best First Book by a Manitoba Author at the 2008 Manitoba Book Awards. Alison Calder lives with her husband, Warren Cariou, and their two cats.

Winnipeg-born and raised, Kevin Marc Fournier works with mentally handicapped adults, writes a semi-regular column for online magazine Quiblit.com, fantasizes about being a full-time house husband and gets spanked in his office hockey pools with Sisyphean regularity. His first book, a young adult novel called Sandbag Shuffle (Thistledown), follows two young opportunists as they make their own kind of profit off the Manitoba Red River Flood of 1997. Sandbag Shuffle takes on natural disaster, disability, vagrant youth, and loyalty with sharp wit and speed. It won the McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award at the 2008 Manitoba Book Awards.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information on this event, please email pennywise@westman.wave.ca or drop us a line at 728-2665.

To learn more about the Winnipeg Writers Festival, check out their website at: www.thinairwinnipeg.ca.

Exciting News!

There are a couple of exciting things that simply screamed to be posted as early as possible, so I will present them to you now, without further ado:

1. New Book from J.K. Rowling

A richly magical collection of tales, "Tales of Beedle the Bard," that will satisfy Harry Potter fans and new readers alike has recently been announced. To be released on December 4, this title is the first new book from J. K. Rowling since the publication of the final book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard played a crucial role in assisting Harry, aided by his friends Ron and Hermione, to finally defeat Lord Voldemort. Fans will be thrilled to have this opportunity to read the tales in full.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard is without doubt an exciting addition to the canon of Harry Potter. They also reveal the wonderful versatility of the author, as she tackles with relish the structure and varying tones of a classic fairy tale. There are five tales included in the book: 'The Tale of the Three Brothers', which is recounted in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; plus four more — 'The Fountain of Fair Fortune', 'The Warlock's Hairy Heart', 'The Wizard and the Hopping Pot', and 'Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump'. Each tale has its own magical character and will variously bring delight, laughter and the thrill of mortal peril.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard, translated from the original runes by Hermione Granger, is introduced and illustrated by J. K. Rowling. Also included are notes on the stories by Professor Albus Dumbledore, which appear by generous permission of the Hogwarts Headmasters' Archive.

Because it is being released in the middle of the week in December, we're most probably not having a street party. However, we are planning a special event to celebrate the release of this new book... keep your eyes open for updates.

In the meantime, if you want to reserve your copy (or copies), please call us at 728-2665. It'll make an excellent Christmas gift!

2. Check out Pennywise Books' stock online

That's right! You can now check out what books we have in stock, their price, if we can special order titles we don't have, and an estimate as to how long those orders might take to arrive. The site is a work in progress and there are many features that will be added in the coming months.

As it is, if you simply need to know if we have a copy of Devil May Care: The New James Bond Novel by Sebastian Faulks, but it's 3:00 AM and no one's answering the phone here at the store, you can always check it out online. Then, if you want it (or, if we're sold out and you want to order it), you can just send us an email and we'll either reserve or order a copy for you.

The webstore also gives you a peek (along the left side of the screen) of books we have on order and when we expect them to arrive.

You can check out the site here: Pennywise Books webstore.

As always, feel free to call, write or email any questions or comments.

Breaking Dawn

Breaking Dawn, the next installment in The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer will be released on Saturday, August 2, 2008.

The eagerly-awaited fourth and final book in this series will be available across Canada at one minute past midnight local time on August 2. Pennywise Books in Brandon will be open from midnight until 2:00 AM to make this book available to fans.

In just two years, Stephenie Meyer has become a worldwide publishing phenomenon. Twilight was one of 2005's most talked about novels and translation rights have been sold in 33 countries. The sequel, New Moon, was released in September 2006, and spent over 30 weeks at the #1 position on The New York Times bestseller list. Eclipse, the latest book in the series released on August 7, 2007, catapulted to the #1 slot on bestseller lists nationwide after selling 150,000 copies its first day on-sale. There are over 5.5 million copies of the Twilight Saga in-print worldwide.

If you're a fan and NEED your copy as soon as possible, this is your chance! See you at midnight!

Summer Update

It's not because there is anything of grave importance that I'm updating the site, it's more due to a feeling of shame that it has been so long since the last post.

There has been a great deal of behind-the-scenes things happening at Pennywise, however, so I'll pass along these tidbits of news now.

We've changed our point of sale system which might not sound too exciting but, in conjunction with our new relationship with a major book distributor, this new program has allowed us to streamline our special orders and drastically cut wait times for most special orders. And the receipts are shorter and easier to read.

And just over the horizon is something really exciting....

All summer we've been bringing in great new stock - both new and discount titles. If you haven't been in, you're missing out!

Finally, the fall reading season is just around the corner and we're starting to approach publishers about authors' touring schedules. If you have a favorite author you would like to see come to Brandon, drop us a line. We're not shy about shooting for the moon -- if we don't ask, we'll never know!

I hope your summer is going well and look forward to seeing you all again real soon.

Manitoba Book Week Events

Manitoba Book Week is an annual, week-long series of events which recognize our province's flourishing book industry and inform Manitobans about the rich variety of books published here. In partnership with the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers, Pennywise Books is proud to host a number of events for local authors and writers.

On Wednesday, April 23, at 6:30 p.m., writer Barbara Huck will read from her latest book The Land Where the Sky Begins: North America's Endangered Tall Grass Prairie and Aspen Parkland.

Today, the northern tall grass prairie is among the most endangered landscapes on Earth; less that one per cent of that magnificent sea of grass remains. In many places and many ways however, efforts are being made to preserve those last remnants and restore what has been lost.

Stunningly photographed, beautifully designed and lyrically written, The Land Where the Sky Begins opens with the evolution of grasses - without question the most important plants on the planet - and traces the history of North America's tall grass prairies and aspen parkland. The second half of the book flows through the seasons, highlighting, with detailed information and magnificent photography, the birds, mammals and plants - including some that are gravely endangered.

The next evening on April 24, at 7:00 p.m., a multiple-author event will take place illustrating the differences and similarities in writing plays, poems and stories. Featuring poet Laurie Block, playwrights Dale Lakevold and Darrell Racine (Stretching Hide), and Winnipeg crime fiction writer Michael Van Rooy (An Ordinary Decent Criminal), this event will treat attendees to readings from each of the authors' works as well as a discussion about the differences in the writing process for each genre.

With the opportunity to simultaneously meet with writers of such a diverse range of styles, this event is sure to be of interest to both readers and writers.

Finally, at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 25 Charles and Dale Brawn will be launching their new book Every Stone a Story: Manitoba's Buried History, 1900 - 2000.

Every Stone A Story is a collection of stories gleaned from Manitoba's buried history. Each is illustrated with a photograph of a headstone and each describes the life, death and/or experiences of someone buried in a particular cemetery.

The stories are often about the famous or infamous, but equally often they are about people little known outside their communities, but who have done something extraordinary. The stories are grouped according to their topics: politicians, artists, sportsmen and women, crimes and scandals, special people now largely forgotten, accidents and disasters, people who have been executed, and pioneers.

The public is invited to attend all three events, which will take place at Pennywise Books. Admission is free.

Book Signing - Apr 12

Come and meet Manitoba authors Rae Jackson and Debbie Penner on April 12 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM as they sign copies of their mystery novel Coincidence of Death.

About the book:

Fallon Harper returned to Fernandina Beach after twenty years to uncover the truth about her stepbrother's untimely death. Not wanting to attract the attention of the local law enforcement office she keeps her identity a secret and uses her abilities as an investigative reporter to root out any information and evidence that might help solve the case and link it to the twenty year old death of her father. But someone out there doesn't want the old case file opened and will do anything to keep Fallon from discovering the truth. When the local Sheriff, Marcus Moretti, discovers her identity, they team up to try and force the murderer out in the open. As they race to uncover the evidence, the killer becomes more determined to keep his secret even if it means taking another life. When political red tape slows Marcus down, Fallon's life is suddenly put on the line. Will they solve the case in time, or will Fallon's death become the third coincidence?

Signing - Trudy Andrew

With the improvement of the weather and the arrival of spring, Pennywise Books has begun planning the upcoming season of author events.

The first guest, Manitoba novelist Trudy Andrew will be in the store on Thursday, March 27, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. She will sign copies of her most recently released book entitled Faeriedust Dreams. This is the second novel featuring heroine Aynslie McCallum and it continues the romantic adventures begun in Irish Rain.

More authors and events will be posted very soon... Keep your eyes open!

US Pricing Still in Effect

Well, we're far enough into 2008 that I'd feel a bit awkward wishing everyone a "Happy New Year," or making some comment along the lines of hoping that you had a good holiday season. The holidays are rapidly dimming in our memories and we're looking down the barrel of a long (and, right now, extremely cold) winter. So, instead of referring to the past, I'll wish you "Good Day!" and quickly move along.

We don't have any immediate events to tell you about, but we're working on some that are quite exciting. As these guests are confirmed and the details ironed out, you'll be amoung the first to know.

I do want to let you know that the US pricing promotion we had on before Christmas is still in effect. The dollar continues to bounce around, so Pennywise is pleased to offer you the opportunity to cash in on its instability. All new books with US prices printed on them will continue to sell at that lower price until we decide otherwise.

If we haven't seen you recently, be sure to stop in at the store to see what's new. And, as always, if you have an author you would like us to try and bring in, let us know and we'll see what we can do.