Most reviews are given from a literary perspective--that is, from the perspective of an individual who has some knowledge of what qualifies as "good" and what is relegated to the dreaded nether-regions of "bad" writing. Whilst I acknowledge the superior knowledge and education of some people--concerning literature--I have never myself been able to take on this role with any degree of comfort. A lot of my creative energy springs from a general state of open-mindedness, concerning what I see and what I read. If you are of such a temperament, all judgement of good and bad appear extremely subjective--to the point that speculations of quality can seem academic, to say the least.

As a result of this inherent self-doubt, concerning my place in the world of literary criticism, I prefer to write my recommendations purely from the perspective of an author. I may not have found an adequate yard-stick to measure literary quality, as yet, but I have my own private yard-stick to estimate how much fun an author may have had, writing a given work. I can usually guess how much fun an author had by how original and fresh the writing or the concept is. When an author is having fun, it shows in their writing. Not only are other writers intrigued--innately detecting the sense of fun which spurs the author on--but any serious reader will likely be able to catch on to the fun and be carried away on that tide, along with the writer. I recommend these books based entirely on that sense of fun.

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Congratulations to all the winners and nominees of the 2012 Manitoba Book Awards. More than 200 people attended the ceremony last night. The 24th annual gala, presented by the Manitoba Writers' Guild with the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers was held at the Centre culturel franco-manitobain.

• McNally Robinson Book of the Year: Not Being on a Boat by Esmé Claire Keith (Freehand Books/Broadview Press)
• McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award, younger category: S is for Scientists: A Discovery Alphabet by Larry Verstraete (Sleeping Bear Press)
• McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award, older category: Tori by Design by Colleen Nelson (Great Plains Teen Fiction)
• Aqua Books Lansdowne Prize for Poetry: Poème Pierre Prière, by J.R. Léveillé (Les Éditions du Blé)
• Best Illustrated Book of the Year: David's Trip to Paraguay: The Land of Amazing Colours, by Miriam Rudolph (CMU Press)
• Manuela Dias Book Design of the Year: Poème Pierre Prière by J.R. Léveillé, designed by Bernard Léveillé (Les Éditions du Blé)
• Eileen McTavish Sykes Award for Best First Book: A Large Harmonium by Sue Sorensen (Coteau Books)
• Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award: Ravenscraig by Sandi Krawchenko Altner (Heartland Associates)
• Michael Van Rooy Award for Genre Fiction: The Thirteen by Susie Moloney (Random House Canada)
• Margaret Laurence Award for Fiction: The Girl in the Wall by Alison Preston (Signature Editions)
• Alexander Kennedy Isbister Award for Non-Fiction: King: William Lyon MacKenzie King: A Life Guided by the Hand of Destiny by Allan Levine (Douglas and McIntyre)
• John Hirsch Award for Most Promising Manitoba Writer: Jennifer Still
• Mary Scorer Award for Best Book by a Manitoba Publisher: Butterfly Winter by W.P. Kinsella (Enfield and Wizenty/Great Plains Publications)

Executive Chef Chris Tascona	Head Chef Jaime Briones	Sous-Chef Chris Little	Master Pastry Chef Eric Bari
Pastry Sous-Chef Lauren Sinclair	Manager Rebecca Haverluck	Asst. Manager Miranda Boerchers

We are proud to introduce the team that makes Prairie Ink Restaurant and Bakery possible. Our talented chefs and managers work tirelessly to bring you a unique dining experience.

Prairie Ink Specials
Throughout the year, Executive Chef Chris Tascona browses our bookshelves for a cookbook from which he selects in-house specials to share with you. From May 2 to May 29: A Family Farm in Tuscany by Sarah Fioroni. Enjoy the traditional Tuscan recipes prepared daily in the kitchen on Fattoria Poggio Alloro, the author's organic, self-sustainable farm. (Shearer, March)

Sunday Summer Hours
Prairie Ink will close at 6:00 pm on Sunday (the same time as the bookstore) for the summer and return to a 7:00 pm closing in the fall.

Dinner and a Movie Takes a Breather
Dinner and a Movie has been taken off the menu for the summer. This popular combination of a meal and entertainment will resume in the fall.

Mother's Day Buffet Sunday May 13
Select from one of six sittings: 10:00 am, 10:30 am, 12:00 noon, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm, and 2:30 pm. All our regular buffet favourites will be available plus some extra specials from the Prairie Ink Culinary Team, and of course our carving station. Chocolate lovers will be indulged with our chocolate fountain and fresh fruit skewers, as well as an ever-changing dessert table filled with excellent mini pieces of heaven. Additional favourites include a seafood tray, a wide variety of cheese, and our grilled vegetable tray with a balsamic vinaigrette. The buffet includes coffee, tea, pop, or milk. The cost per person is $25.95 for adults and $13.50 for children aged three to twelve. Children under three eat for free. Reservations are required. Please call 975-2659.

The Prairie Ink Patio Returns for the Summer
An oasis in a sea of concrete, our evergreen-lined patio is the place to be. The Prairie Ink Patio will be open every day from the May long weekend to the September long weekend, weather permitting.

Turnstone Press imprint Ravenstone, known until now for its mysteries and thrillers, expands to include speculative fiction in 2012. This fall Ravenstone will feature two new novels of speculative fiction from beloved mystery-maven Karen Dudley, and McNally Robinson's own Chadwick Ginther!

Ginther's urban fantasy titled Thunder Road (2012) and Tombstone Blues (2013) launches a fantasy series set in Winnipeg. Driven by one of the grittiest soundtracks known to rock 'n roll, Ginther creates a world where the ancient gods of Norse mythology emerge from legend to wreak havoc among humans. After a deific attack, main character Ted Callan discovers he has been left with the powers of the gods. Once an ordinary Albertan - Ted must now learn to live with powers only ever dramatized in Wagnerian Operas.

Chadwick Ginther's story First Light appeared in the Summer 2011 issue of On Spec, the premier Canadian magazine of speculative fiction, and his reviews have appeared in Quill and Quire, Prairie Books NOW and The Winnipeg Review. A bookseller for over 10 years, Chadwick lives and writes in Winnipeg.

Karen Dudley's forthcoming Food for the Gods (2012) and Kraken Bake (2014) venture into ancient Greek territory by re-imagining the mythical figure of Pelops. Once a prince of Lydia, Pelops was chopped into stewing meat and served to the gods for tea by his not-so-loving father. Remade by the gods and blessed at the same time with a gift for the culinary arts, Pelops flees his painful memories for the bright lamps of Athens where he hopes to make a new life for himself as a celebrity chef. But then a ruthless patron takes an unhealthy interest in his career, a famous courtesan is murdered at a dinner he prepares, and a couple of the less responsible gods offer to help him make a name for himself in Athens. And Pelops begins to realize that when the gods decide they owe you a favor, you'd better start saying your prayers.

Karen Dudley worked in field biology, paleo-environmental studies, and production art before turning to mystery and now speculative fiction writing. She has written four environmental mysteries featuring biologist Robyn Devara. Born in France, Karen now lives in Winnipeg.

Turnstone Press is one of Manitoba's most respected independent literary presses, publishing quality fiction, non-fiction, and poetry for over 35 years. In 1998 Turnstone Press launched Ravenstone, an imprint of literary genre titles.