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?