90 years of being in the moment
Since 1935, Penguin has been at the heart of the stories and ideas that shape the world around us.
Our journey started with a simple, but controversial idea. That quality literature should cost no more than a packet of cigarettes. Despite scepticism from publishers and booksellers, our founder, Allen Lane, was proved right. Within a year, three million Penguins had made it to readers’ shelves.
From the first ten paperbacks with their iconic triband design, to the bedtime stories, cookbooks, classics and thrillers you enjoy today, our authors and books have always been there in the moment, defining culture and helping us make sense of the world.
Throughout the decades, we have connected people to books they love and treasure, books that spark ideas, and books that fuel debates and arguments. From wars and the welfare state, through punk and psychedelia, to free speech and fantasy, Penguin has been a companion across countless movements, trends and tastes for generations of readers.
90 years on and our mission remains the same. Penguin makes books for everyone. Because a book can change anyone.
The Penguin books that shaped us
To celebrate our 90th, we’ve asked the experts to help us gather the Penguin books that have shocked us, comforted us, raised us, and set our imaginations alight.
With each list comes the opportunity to vote for your favourite and help us create our ‘Readers’ Choice’ list, to be released on Penguin’s birthday on 30th July.
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