I was at Rideau Hall in Ottawa last night to watch the 80th installment of the Governor-General's Literary Awards. Very nice place for a party (I especially liked the circus tent-painted reception room and the greenhouse). It was great to watch the winners in all the categories receive their awards, and to revive my slightly rusted French. Especially good to see Madeleine Thien, the Fiction (English) category winner for her beautiful novel, Do Not Say We Have Nothing. And after having thoroughly sampled the dessert buffet, my tablemates and I declare the maple syrup dumplings with apple compote the champ.