Pennywise Books

The dark side of the Kindle

2009-12-11T14:20:00.002-06:00

(The following note is reposted from AbsurdIntellectual.com):

As a bookseller, I obviously have a bias against any sort e-book. To date, my argument has tended to be along aethestic lines — how a book feels, how it smells and the like — as well as toting the technological advantage of the traditional book — you can read it in the bathtub without too much worry, don’t worry about dropping it, no batteries to recharge and so on.

I still believe these to be valid arguments, but I have found another that might be more convincing to true technophiles. Blogger Dan Cohen found that Amazon has unwritten restrictions on downloads for the Kindle:

“Oh that’s the problem,” he [the customer service rep] said “if some of the
books will download and the others won’t it means that you’ve reached the
maximum number of times you can download the book.”

I asked him what that meant since the books I needed to download weren’t currently on any device because I had wiped those devices clean and simply wanted to reinstall. He proceeded to tell me that there is always a limit to the number of times you can download a given book. Sometimes, he said, it’s five or six times but at other
times it may only be once or twice. And, here’s the kicker folks, once you reach
the cap you need to repurchase the book if you want to download it again.

Granted, this information is available to the customer — its right there in the small print of the legal agreement that we all love to ignore on a daily basis. And when I say “this information,” I mean the fact that there’s a limit. The specific limit is trickier:

“How do I find out how many times I can download any given book?” I asked. He
replied, “I don’t think you can. That’s entirely up to the publisher and I don’t think we always know.”
I pressed — “You mean when you go to buy the book it doesn’t say ‘this book can be downloaded this number of times’ even though that limitation is there?” To which he replied, “No, I’m very sorry it doesn’t.”

How many versions of the Kindle have come out to date? How frequently are Kindle users going to be expected to update their technology? Cohen suggests it might happen every couple of years, meaning sooner or later, all the previously purchased books will have to be repurchased. (Note: I have paperbacks I bought twenty years ago that I have not needed to repurchase, even though new editions have been released).

Given that Cohen’s post was written in June and I haven’t come across any other outcry, I wonder if this issue has been resolved or if it simply hasn’t come to a head yet.

In any case, I still don’t see the death of print in the near future, as the marketplace is becoming crowded with e-readers: Amazon’s Kindle, Sony’s Reader, the Barnes and Noble nook, and Samsung’s Papyrus, not to mention the multitude of ways books can be accessed through the regular old Internet. Until there is a industry standard, I think most people will shy away from making an investment in an e-library that might up and dissapate into the ether when their e-reader fails to make the cut.

Though the printed book may seem antiquated, sometimes the best technology is the old technology.

Author visits and a new service

2009-11-26T20:32:00.003-06:00

With the weather turning cooler, people in Brandon and the surrounding area may find themselves looking for entertainment options that take place indoors. At the same time, the holiday season is approaching and time seems to be in increasingly short supply. We at Pennywise Books are pleased to offer opportunities for both of these challenges.

Author Events

On December 8, at 7:00 PM, author Dale Brawn will be on hand to read and sign copies of his most recently released book entitled Every Stone a Story II: Manitoba’s Buried History, the follow-up to the popular Every Stone a Story. This much-anticipated book contains more stories gleaned from Manitoba’s buried history. Illustrated with black and white photographs, each story describes the life, death, and 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.

Two nights later, on December 10, at 7:00 PM, join professional wrestler Vance Nevada as he talks about his new book Wrestling in the Canadian West, a thorough account of the history of professional wrestling in western Canada. Originally from Brandon, Nevada has competed in over 1,200 matches in his fourteen year career since his first bout at age seventeen.

The next evening, December 11 at 7:00 PM, co-founder of Amarok Society, Gem Munro will be discussing his new book South Asian Adventures with the Active Poor. Gem’s family will be in attendance to show video clips and converse about the family’s adventures in the slums of Bangladesh.

The Amarok Society is a Canadian registered charity operating in South Asia. Motivated by the suffering created by poverty and ignorance, the Amarok Society believes that education is the only way to permanently overcome poverty. This charity was founded in response to a critical need that wasn't being addressed - providing education to the many children who can never afford to go to school and whose own parents are illiterate.

Service

To assist with the time crunch, Pennywise Books is offering a free delivery service of book purchases to addresses within Brandon city limits. Prepaid purchases of $25 or more qualify to be delivered to the buyer’s home. Don't forget — Pennywise Books can order books that are not currently in stock.

Finally, until the 3rd week of December, we will be staying open until 9:00 PM on Thursdays to try and fit your schedule a little better.

If you have any questions, remember that we're always glad to hear from you. Call us at 728-BOOK (2665), or email pennywise@westman.wave.ca.

Hope to see you soon!

Author Reading - October 13

2009-10-10T11:03:00.002-05:00

With the first hints of winter in the air, Pennywise Books has begun preparing for an extremely busy season of special events and author appearances.

The first guest, co-founder of Amarok Society, Gem Munro will be in the store on Tuesday, October 13 at 7:00 p.m. Gem will be discussing his new book South Asian Adventures with the Active Poor. Gem’s family will be in attendance to show video clips and converse about the family’s adventures in the slums of Bangladesh. Chai tea will be served free of charge.

The Amarok Society is a Canadian registered charity operating in South Asia. Motivated by the suffering created by poverty and ignorance, the Amarok Society believes that education is the only way to permanently overcome poverty. This charity was founded in response to a critical need that wasn't being addressed - providing education to the many children who can never afford to go to school and whose own parents are illiterate. For more information about the Amarok Society, visit www.amaroksociety.org.

For details about future authors and events, watch this website in the coming days.

William Bolley - Reading & Signing

2009-07-23T12:00:00.002-05:00

On Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 7:00 PM, local author William Bolley will be reading and signing copies of his first book, A Sobering Moment.

A story of tragedy, addiction, pain, courage and pursuit of the truth, A Sobering Moment is a combination of a dramatic adventure and the inner struggle of a man searching for the true meaning of life.

Mason Walls grew up an adventurous prairie boy full of wonder. But at age twelve, when the Walls family moves, his entire life changes. Thus begins Mason’s personal loss of confidence and the tragic destruction of his family. By seventeen Mason is forced on a desperate search to fill the emptiness inside. On the journey he meets many characters, some offering help, others inflicting pain. His spirit is tested, weakened, wounded and celebrated throughout the many trials he experiences. When Mason’s existence is in the final stages of despair his last hope is crushed. Hitting bottom he is forced to decide whether to live or die.

William Bolley is employed as a school social worker and has assisted children and their families for almost thirty years. During this time he has been exposed to a wide spectrum of suffering including loss, abuse, addiction and violence. However, in his capacity as a therapist he has also seen the incredible power and resiliency of the human spirit. Since completing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English, he has been interested in writing. A Sobering Moment is his first published work. Currently he is working on his second novel, Triangles, a dangerous love story. He is married with two grown children and lives in Brandon, Manitoba.

The future of the book

2009-06-26T10:41:00.000-05:00

I recently attended the Canadian Booksellers’ Association Summer Conference. In addition to the renewal of old acquaintances, author visits, sales presentations and other sorts of activities you would expect to encounter at a professional conference, there was a panel discussion on the future of the book industry. Although this discussion touched on many of the issues affecting independent booksellers (the fluctuating Canadian dollar, reassessments of returns policies, the economy, big box discounters, etc), the most interesting topic, to my mind, was the mindset of various publishers regarding the rise of the ebook.

Even the idea of the ebook gives me a nasty crawling of the flesh. It isn’t that I am some sort of Luddite or that, as a bookstore owner, I have a vested interest in the survival of the book. My problem is that the ebook may eventually win out over the physical book, despite the fact that the centuries-old format is the superior of the two.

A cursory listing, in no particular order, of my arguments for this position include:

Books have no requirement for electricity, battery or any form of power. Thus, they can be used in even the most primitive of conditions.
Although ebook readers have improved greatly with the latest generation of products, the resolution of the book will be difficult to surpass.
Transferability is less an issue for books than ebooks. While handing a book to a friend is rarely an issue (even if getting it returned is), sharing an ebook across different readers has, to date, been problematic.
Books are a very popular gift. Ebooks do not possess that physical dimension that is often important in gift-giving rituals.
Environmentally, books are superior. While much hue and cry can be raised around deforestation and the pollution resulting from pulp and paper mills, there are alternatives to these industrial practices. Electronic devices, in both production and disposal, are frightening with respect to what is released into soils and waterways.

Certainly, there are additional arguments and just as many counterarguments. Yet, because the general public has a love affair with hand-held electronic devices, publishers are looking to monetizing that small, but growing portion of the market seeking digital versions of new books.

The general consensus among the publishers present at the CBA conference was that ebooks will not likely play a significant role in the marketplace for at least 5 years. In that time, I cannot say how else the book industry will evolve as we are truly in a time of change.

In short, although the publishing industry is in a time of flux, it is almost certain that the book will survive.

(This post has been simultaneously published on both Absurd Intellectual and the Pennywise Books blog.)

Big Book Sale!

2009-05-23T10:32:00.002-05:00

Just a quick update in regards to a BIG SALE we're having at Pennywise Books. Once again, we have more books that we have space for, so we need to make room. Thus, we are having our first "Spring-Cleaning-Word-of-Mouth Sale."

On the first two Saturdays in June (June 6 and June 13), EVERYTHING in the store will be 30% off -- new books, discount books, used books -- EVERYTHING! (Except books sold on consignment).

As this is a "word-of-mouth" sale, tell your friends and family that like to read. This sale is your opportunity to stock up for your summer reading!

A couple of rules:

(1) This sale will be on June 6 and June 13 only. Sale prices will not be offered during the week. Therefore, if there is a book you've seen on the shelf that you are interested in, you might want to consider either getting here early on a sale day, or pick it up in advance of the sale to be sure you get it at our already low prices.

(2) You cannot put books on hold until sale day. That's not playing fair.

That's it! Tell everyone you know who needs/wants something to read for the summer that Pennywise Books is having an amazing sale on June 6 and 13 (10:00 AM - 5:00 PM), where everything is 30% off.

For more information, contact us at: pennywise@westman.wave.ca or call 728-2665.

We look forward to seeing you all soon!

Free Comic Book Day

2009-05-01T08:27:00.002-05:00

The first Saturday of every May (this year, May 2) is Free Comic Book Day. Normally, we don't stock regular magazine-type comics, but because we are totally overstocked on one or two graphic novels, we will be giving away free graphic novels all day. That's MAY 2, starting at 10:00 AM.

This is not an invitation to walk in and pick up whatever you want. The free books will be available at the counter and last only as long as the stock does.

Also, remember that the Manitoba Arts Council will be making a presentation Saturday morning, if you are interested in taking part in that session.

I hope to see you all on Saturday!

MANITOBA BOOK AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED

2009-04-27T13:54:00.002-05:00

MANITOBA BOOK AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - The Manitoba Book Awards winners were announced on the eveningof Saturday, April 25, 2009 at the Winnipeg Art Gallery during a Gala event hosted by CBC Radio's Shelagh Rogers.

Winnipeg writer David Bergen took home two top prizes, including the McNally Robinson Book of the Year Award, for his deeply moving novel, The Retreat. This year's most nominated title, Pauline Boutal, Destin d'artiste par Louise Duguay, publié par Les Éditions du Blé, a magnificent French-language hard-cover art book about the talented St. Boniface painter and former artistic director of the Cercle Molière also received two prizes. A complete list of recipients follows:

McNally Robinson Book of the Year Award ($5,000)

The Retreat by David Bergen, published by McClelland and Stewart Ltd.

McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award - Older Category ($2,500)

My Mother is a French Fry and Further Proof of My Fuzzed-Up Life by Colleen Sydor, published by Kids Can Press

McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award - Younger Category ($2,500)

Goose Girl by Joe McLellan and Matrine McLellan, illustrated by Rhian Brynjolson, published by Pemmican Publications

Mary Scorer Award for Best Book by a Manitoba Publisher ($1,000)

Pauline Boutal, Destin d'artiste par Louise Duguay, publié par Les Éditions du Blé

John Hirsch Award for Most Promising Manitoba Writer ($2,500)

Michael Van Rooy

Alexander Kennedy Isbister Award for Non-Fiction ($3,500)

Lord Selkirk: A Life by J.M. Bumsted, published by University of Manitoba Press

Margaret Laurence Award for Fiction ($3,500)

The Retreat by David Bergen, published by McClelland and Stewart Ltd

Le Prix littéraire Rue-Deschambault (3 500 $)

L'endroit et l'envers par Lise Gaboury-Diallo, publié par L'Harmattan

Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award ($5,000)

Saint-Boniface 1908-2008 : reflets d'une ville, sous la direction de André Fauchonet Carol J. Harvey, publié par les Presses universitaires de Saint-Boniface

Eileen McTavish Sykes Award for Best First Book by a Manitoba Writer ($1,500)

The Prairie Bridesmaid by Daria Salamon, published by Key Porter Books Ltd.

Manuela Dias Book Design of the Year Award

Pauline Boutal, Destin d'artiste par Louise Duguay, graphiste Susan Chafe, publié par Les Éditions du Blé

Best Illustrated Book of the Year Award

The Harry Winrob Collection of Inuit Sculpture, curated by Darlene Coward Wight, design by Frank Reimer, published by The Winnipeg Art Gallery

Aqua Books Lansdowne Prize for Poetry / Le Prix Lansdowne de poésie ($1,000)

this is a small northern town by Rosanna Deerchild, published by The Muses' Company, an imprint of J. Gordon Shillingford Publishing

The Association of Manitoba Book Publishers gratefully acknowledges the support of the following Book Awards partners: Aqua Books, The City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council, The Canada Council for the Arts, Friesens, Hignell Book Printing, Kromar Printing Ltd., The Manitoba Arts Council, Manitoba Culture,Heritage, Tourism and Sport, The Manitoba Foundation for the Arts, Manitoba Tradeand Investment, McNally Robinson Booksellers, Relish Design Studio and The WinnipegFoundation. The Manitoba Writers' Guild thanks the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers for coordinating the 2009 Manitoba Book Awards. For more information contact:

Karen San Filippo
Manitoba Book Awards Coordinator
Association of Manitoba Book Publishers
404-100 Arthur St., Winnipeg, MB R3B 1H3
(204) 947-3335
projectsambp@mts.net
www.manitobabookawards.com

Manitoba Arts Council Workshop

2009-04-22T16:52:00.001-05:00

Are you interested in learning about funding that is available to you as an artist? Would you like to learn more about how to prepare a grant application?

The Manitoba Arts Council will be hosting an Information Session & Grant Writing Workshop on Saturday, May 2^nd from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at Pennywise Books, 1031 Rosser Avenue. This opportunity is free of charge and open to artists in any discipline and at all stages of their careers.

For more information contact:

Kristen Pauch-Nolin, Program Consultant, Community Art
Toll-Free in MB 1-866-994-2787
Email: kpauch-nolin@artscouncil.mb.ca.
Website: www.artscouncil.mb.ca

MANITOBA BOOK AWARDS SHORTLISTS ANNOUNCED

2009-03-19T13:02:00.002-05:00

It was a real thrill to be asked to be part of the jury for the Eileen Sykes award. I can't imagine what it would be like to WIN an award, if sitting on the jury for an award is so much fun.

As the press release with all the shortlists for the Manitoba Book Awards has just been released, I thought I could get a leg up on the mainstream media by posting it here for your perusal:

For Immediate Release - March 19, 2009

MANITOBA BOOK AWARDS SHORTLISTS ANNOUNCED

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - The Association of Manitoba Book Publishers is pleased toannounce the Manitoba Book Awards shortlists. The awards will be presented at theManitoba Book Awards gala, hosted by CBC Radio's Shelagh Rogers, on Saturday, April25 at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Cocktails are at 7:30 p.m., with the ceremonybeginning at 8:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The shortlists and recipients are selected by a variety of juries, comprised ofwriters, publishers and other book industry personnel from across Canada.

And the nominees are.

McNally Robinson Book of the Year

* Fear Not by Maurice Mierau, published by Turnstone Press
* The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews, published by Alfred A. Knopf Canada
* Reading by Lightning by Joan Thomas, published by Goose Lane Editions
* The Retreat by David Bergen, published by McClelland and Stewart Ltd.

Alexander Kennedy Isbister Award for Non-Fiction

* Behind the Headlines: A History of Investigative Journalism in Canada by Cecil Rosner, published by Oxford University Press
* Head Space: Five Decades of Bruce Head, essays by Patricia E. Bovey and AmyKarlinsky, published by The Winnipeg Art Gallery
* Lord Selkirk: A Life by J.M. Bumsted, published by University of Manitoba
* Press Politics in Manitoba: Parties, Leaders, and Voters by Christopher Adams, published by University of Manitoba Press
* Subconscious City, curated by Shawna Dempsey and Lorri Millan, essays by various contributors, published by The Winnipeg Art Gallery

Aqua Books Lansdowne Prize for Poetry/Prix Lansdowne de poésie

* Fear Not by Maurice Mierau, published by Turnstone Press
* La Métisse filante de Laurent Poliquin, publié par L'Harmattan
* The Sleeping Life by Kerry Ryan, published by The Muses' Company, an imprint of J.Gordon Shillingford Publishing
* this is a small northern town by Rosanna Deerchild, published by The Muses' Company, an imprint of J. Gordon Shillingford Publishing

Best Illustrated Book of the Year

* L'Étang du soir de J.R. Léveillé et Étienne Gaboury, graphiste Bernard Léveillé,publié par Les Éditions du Blé
* The Harry Winrob Collection of Inuit Sculpture, curated by Darlene Coward Wight,design by Frank Reimer, published by The Winnipeg Art Gallery
* Magic at the Museum, written and illustrated by Jane Heinrichs, published by Wide Horizons Ink Publishing
* Pauline Boutal, Destin d'artiste par Louise Duguay, graphiste Susan Chafe, publiépar Les Éditions du Blé

Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award

* The Beech Nut of Big Water Beach by Margaret Shaw-MacKinnon, published by Aivilo Press
* The Prairie Bridesmaid by Daria Salamon, published by Key Porter Books Ltd.
* Saint-Boniface 1908-2008 : reflets d'une ville, sous la direction de André Fauchonet Carol J. Harvey, publié par les Presses universitaires de Saint-Boniface
* Subconscious City, curated by Shawna Dempsey and Lorri Millan, essays by variouscontributors, published by The Winnipeg Art Gallery
* Widows of Hamilton House by Christina Penner, published by Enfield & Wizenty

Eileen McTavish Sykes Award for Best First Book

* The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson, published by Random House Canada
* The Prairie Bridesmaid by Daria Salamon, published by Key Porter Books Ltd.
* Reading by Lightning by Joan Thomas, published by Goose Lane Editions
* Somewhere Else by Jan Guenther Braun, published by Arbeiter Ring Publishing
* Widows of Hamilton House by Christina Penner, published by Enfield & Wizenty

John Hirsch Award for Most Promising Manitoba Writer

* Rosanna Deerchild
* Christina Penner
* Daria Salamon
* Michael Van Rooy
* Adam Smoluk

Manuela Dias Book Design of the Year

* L'Étang du soir de J.R. Léveillé et Étienne Gaboury, graphiste Bernard Léveillé, publié par Les Éditions du Blé
* The Harry Winrob Collection of Inuit Sculpture, curated by Darlene Coward Wight, design by Frank Reimer, published by The Winnipeg Art Gallery
* Head Space: Five Decades of Bruce Head, essays by Patricia E. Bovey and Amy Karlinsky, published by The Winnipeg Art Gallery
* Pauline Boutal, Destin d'artiste par Louise Duguay, graphiste Susan Chafe, publié par Les Éditions du Blé
* Sheila Spence: Pictures of Me, curated by Mary Reid, design by Lisa Friesen, published by The Winnipeg Art gallery
* Subconscious City, curated by Shawna Dempsey and Lorri Millan, design by LisaFriesen, published by The Winnipeg Art Gallery

The Margaret Laurence Award for Fiction

* The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews, published by Alfred A. Knopf Canada
* Reading by Lightning by Joan Thomas, published by Goose Lane Editions
* The Retreat by David Bergen, published by McClelland and Stewart Ltd

Mary Scorer Award for Best Book by a Manitoba Publisher

* Bush Camp by Marvin Francis, published by Turnstone Press
* Pauline Boutal, Destin d'artiste par Louise Duguay, publié par Les Éditions du Blé
* They Call Me Chief: Warriors on Ice by Don Marks, published by J. Gordon Shillingford Publishing

McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award - Older Category

* My Mother is a French Fry and Further Proof of my Fuzzed-Up Life by Colleen Sydor, published by Kids Can Press
* Shadow-Town by Duncan Thornton, published by Annick Press
* Withershins by Susan Rocan, published by Great Plains Publications
* Spider's Song by Anita Daher, published by Penguin Group

McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award - Younger Category

* Andrea's Fiddle by Blaine Klippenstein, illustrated by Christie Jedele, published by Loon Books Publishing
* Goose Girl by Joe McLellan and Matrine McLellan, illustrated by Rhian Brynjolson, published by Pemmican Publications
* Granny's Giant Bannock by Brenda Isabel Wastasecoot, illustrated by Kimberly McKay-Fleming, published by Pemmican Publications

Le Prix littéraire Rue-Deschambault

* L'endroit et l'envers par Lise Gaboury-Diallo, publié par L'Harmattan
* Pauline Boutal, Destin d'artiste par Louise Duguay, publié par Les Éditions du Blé
* Voyages au pays des maléfices de Tatiana Arcand, publié par Les Éditions du Blé

The Association of Manitoba Book Publishers gratefully acknowledges the support ofthe following Book Awards partners: Aqua Books, The Canada Council for the Arts,Friesens, Hignell Book Printing, the Manitoba Arts Council, Manitoba Culture,Heritage, Tourism and Sport, the Manitoba Foundation for the Arts, Manitoba Tradeand Investment, McNally Robinson Booksellers, the Winnipeg Arts Council and theWinnipeg Foundation.

For more information contact:

Karen San Filippo
Manitoba Book Awards Coordinator
Association of Manitoba Book Publishers
404-100 Arthur St., Winnipeg, MB R3B 1H3
(204) 947-3335
projectsambp@mts.net
www.manitobabookawards.com

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An Overdue Update

2009-03-11T21:07:00.002-05:00

I feel badly for not updating on a more regular basis the going-ons at Pennywise. Therefore, here is some bad news, some good news and some better news and some bad news again...

Bad news: Pennywise Books is currently operating under slightly reduced hours. From Tuesday to Friday, the store is open from 12:30 to 5:30 PM. On Saturdays, we remain open from 10 AM to 5:00 PM. Sundays and Mondays we are closed.

Good news: We have added two new sections in the store - Westerns and New Age. Whereas customers used to have to ask for these books, we've now carved out shelf space. Fans of Louis L'Amour and Wiccan nonfiction can now browse to their hearts content. Also, very shortly we will have a new, great big shelf for new arrivals of discount titles. Deals galore!

Better news: There are a number of exciting activities being lined up for the coming weeks and months. These special events are of all varieties, types and natures. Be sure to keep tuned!

Bad news, again: I'm not going to tell you what any of these special events are. Not yet.

As always, you are invited to come down to visit with us at Pennywise Books and see what strange and wonderful new books we have tracked down and have available for your reading pleasure.

I look forward to see you again very soon.

Story Time

2009-01-31T16:52:00.003-06:00

We are currently looking at establishing a regular story time for kids. We will be playing with the idea, tweaking it slightly here and there until we think (and, more importantly, the kids in attendance think) that we have gotten it right. Once we find that recipe, we will be making story time a regular event here at the store. Until then, we will be announcing the dates and times for each here on the website.

The next story time will take place on Saturday, February 14 from 11:00 - 11:30 AM.

I hope to see you there!

With One Voice

2008-12-02T22:07:00.002-06:00

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

2008-11-25T19:03:00.002-06:00

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

2008-11-18T16:51:00.000-06:00

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

2008-10-28T19:05:00.002-05:00

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

2008-10-03T11:43:00.003-05:00

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!

2008-09-09T12:06:00.003-05:00

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!

2008-08-07T13:12:00.004-05:00

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

2008-07-31T10:28:00.004-05:00

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

2008-07-23T11:46:00.003-05:00

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

2008-04-11T16:33:00.006-05:00

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

2008-04-08T11:25:00.003-05:00

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

2008-03-18T16:09:00.002-05:00

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

2008-01-23T11:25:00.000-06:00

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.