As the 'living room of the community', the public library is an ideal place for Manitoba's biggest book club! With generous funding from The Winnipeg Foundation and the enthusiastic participation of Manitoba libraries, bookstores and media, On The Same Page brings Manitobans together for a shared reading experience.
Past Features of the On The Same Page Reading Club:
Winnipeg, MB – Manitobans have selected The Evolution of Alice by David Robertson as this year's featured book for the 8th annual On The Same Page, a province-wide reading initiative. The book is published by Portage & Main Press.
On The Same Page, a joint project between The Winnipeg Foundation and the Winnipeg Public Library, encourages all Manitobans to read and talk about the same book at the same time. The program includes book giveaways, author appearances and special events that will take place in early 2016.
One of four titles shortlisted for the 2015-16 On The Same Page program, The Evolution of Alice, garnered the most selections through online and in-person voting between June and September.
"I'm thrilled and humbled that The Evolution of Alice has been voted as the book to get all Manitobans 'on the same page.' It's especially humbling considering the amazing books I was shortlisted with; I didn't expect this. I want to thank The Winnipeg Foundation and the Winnipeg Public Library for this honour, and I hope Manitoba enjoys reading The Evolution of Alice," said Robertson.
"The public continues to select compelling reads for On The Same Page," said Rick Walker, Manager of Library Services. "David Robertson's book, The Evolution of Alice, is a heart wrenching story, but one that also offers the reader a message of forgiveness and hope. The societal issues that underlie the story will make for interesting programming that you will not want to miss."
"On The Same Page is a great community-building project that gets people reading and talking about important issues in our community. The Evolution of Alice will certainly inspire some powerful conversation," says Richard Frost, CEO of The Winnipeg Foundation.
On The Same Page was launched in 2008 and has featured the following works:
In Search of April Raintree by Beatrice Mosionier Reading by Lightning by Joan Thomas Juliana and the Medicine Fish by Jake MacDonald The Setting Lake Sun / Le soleil du lac qui se couche by J.R. Léveillé Manitowapow: Aboriginal Writings from the Land of Water edited by Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair and Warren Cariou The Lucky Ones: African Refugees' Stories of Extraordinary Courage by Anne Mahon North End Love Songs by Katherena Vermette
Congratulations to Wanda M. and Andrea G. who each won a prize pack containing a set of the 4 short listed titles!
2014 - 2015 On The Same Page Book
Manitoba readers have chosen North End Love Songs by Katherena Vermette as the book to read for On The Same Page 2014-2015!
"In spare, minimalist language, North End Love Songs attends to the demands of Indigenous and European poetics, braiding an elegant journey that takes us from Winnipeg's North End out into the world. We enter the undocumented lives of its citizens and celebrate them through Katherena Vermette's beautiful poems."
- Governor General's Literary Award for Poetry Judge's Note 2013
Check out North End Love Songs from the Library and join Manitoba's biggest book club!
Manitobans have selected Manitowapow: Aboriginal Writings from the Land of Water, edited by Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair & Warren Cariou, as this year's (2012 - 2013) featured book for On The Same Page, a province-wide reading initiative. This 2011 anthology of Manitoba Aboriginal writings takes readers back through the millennia and forward to the present day, painting a dynamic picture of a territory interconnected through words, ideas, and experiences. It is a rich collection of stories, poetry, nonfiction, and speeches.
On April 11, 2013, Neechi Commons, 865 Main St., was the venue for the wrap up celebration of On The Same Page 2012-13.
Many thanks to the editors, Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair and Warren Cariou, of this year's featured title. They engaged readers of all ages at events in Winnipeg and during a tour of Norway House and The Pas. Thanks also go to the many writers who contributed to the anthology, some of whom accompanied the editors at events to read from their work.
More than 800 free copies of the books were distributed to libraries across Manitoba, high schools in Winnipeg, First Nations schools across the province, and many other agencies and organizations.
2011 - 2012 On The Same Page Book
Manitobans have selected J. R. Léveillé's novel The Setting Lake Sun / Le soleil du lac qui se couche as this year's (2011 - 2012) featured book for On The Same Page, a province-wide reading initiative. The book is published in French by Les Éditions du Blé and in English by Signature Editions. The Library also has eBooks in both languages: English / French.
Photo from On The Same Page reading held at
McNally Robinson Booksellers on September 7.
2010 - 2011 On The Same Page Book
Manitobans have selected Jake MacDonald's novel Juliana and the Medicine Fish as this year's featured book for On the Same Page, a province-wide reading initiative. The announcement was made November 3, 2010 at a press conference at FortWhyte Alive.
"It is an honour to be mysteriously plucked out of the hundreds of books that are produced now in this province, to be part of this event," says author Jake MacDonald. "Sometimes, stories, you feel like you have to make them up, sometimes you're just a delivery boy. With this story I really just felt like the story arrived on my plate fully formed and all I had to do was write it down. Maybe I was just a vehicle for this story and maybe that's one of the reasons it seems to work so well.
Jake MacDonald is a Canadian author who lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and spends his summers in Minaki, Ontario. Over twenty-five years he has produced eight books of both fiction and non-fiction and several hundred stories for many of Canada's leading publications, including the Globe and Mail, Canadian Geographic, Maclean's, Cottage Life, Outdoor Canada, and The Walrus. He has won over two dozen awards for journalism and some of his books have been recognized with national awards as well. The memoir Houseboat Chronicles won three awards across the country, including the Writers Trust of Canada prize for best non-fiction book of 2002.
About Juliana and the Medicine Fish
This popular and poignant novel tells the story of 13 year-old Juliana Saunders, whose parents have separated. Juliana tries to help her dad win a fishing derby by catching an enormous and elusive fish. When they finally capture the fish she must decide what is more important, protecting the huge fish -- the last of a mythic species -- or saving her father's livelihood.
View the Juliana and the Medicine Fish Reader's Guide: download
About the Publisher
Great Plains Publications Ltd. is an independent publisher based in Winnipeg, and committed to publishing the very best books from the Prairies -- a region they believe has an abundance of quality writers. Great Plains also publishes fiction from authors across the country in their imprints, Enfield & Wizenty and Great Plains Teen Fiction.
Winnipeg Writers - Jake MacDonald (video - in two parts)
Events during January and February 2011
View the Juliana and the Medicine Fish Events Calendar: download
View the FortWhyte Alive blog (includes post about On The Same Page event) here
Fishing Photos
Families were invited to catch Jake MacDonald along with Aboriginal storyteller Joe McLellan for an afternoon (January 9, 2011) of ice-fishing and fish tales at FortWhyte Alive. Sunny skies, sparkling snow, biting fish and lots of happy people made for a great winter experience in Winnipeg. Here are photos.
Display Photos
On the Same Page displays are featured at Fort Garry Library and Millennium Library. Here are some photos.
Wind-up Photos
The On the Same Page 2010 - 11 program had their wind-up at Millennium Library on May 17, 2011. Here are some photos.