Every holiday season, my children come up with a wild mix of toy requests, gadgets, and, let’s face it, some pretty silly ideas. While they do receive some of these items, I always make sure to include a selection of books—because they adore reading, and I cherish that love for literature. However, each year, I find it increasingly challenging to select the right titles that will truly engage them.
My son has developed a taste for graphic novels, particularly those with a dystopian twist but not too intense. Meanwhile, my daughter is just diving into the enchanting realm of young adult fiction, currently enthralled by Twilight and Divergent. As a lifelong YA fan, it brings me immense joy to see her exploring this genre. They’ve already consumed all the popular series displayed prominently at libraries and bookstores, leaving me stumped for fresh gift ideas.
Enter The Penguin Hotline, a delightful book recommendation service by Penguin Random House, designed to help you find the ideal book for anyone on your gift list. Think of it as the Butterball Turkey Hotline, but tailored for book enthusiasts. PopSugar has dubbed the Hotline “the cutest thing ever,” stating it’s far superior to those generic gift-generator websites.
How Does It Work?
Using the Penguin Hotline is as simple as filling out an online form. Just visit www.penguinhotline.com and provide some details about the recipient, such as their favorite books, TV shows, movies, and hobbies. After that, just sit back and wait a few days for a personalized email response from a Penguin employee with tailored book suggestions.
Rest assured, the recommendations are not limited to Penguin titles; they encompass works from various publishers, ensuring a broad selection. This marks the eighth year for the Hotline, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with users describing it as “utterly delightful” and “my new favorite holiday tradition.” Terms like “magical” and “meaningful” are frequently used in testimonials.
The hotline will be operational starting Wednesday, December 1, and will remain open until December 15, so don’t procrastinate!
A Personal Touch to Recommendations
In a world dominated by algorithms that dictate our online experiences, the Penguin Hotline offers a refreshing human touch. Book suggestions come from real employees across different departments at Penguin Random House, who volunteer their time because of their passion for books. (I can just picture a room filled with avid readers brainstorming the perfect book for that history enthusiast who also enjoys a good paranormal romance.)
Lucky users may even receive responses from notable authors, providing an extra dose of excitement—imagine getting advice from bestselling writers like Clara Jennings or Ethan Park!
This Year’s Theme: “Better With Books”
This year’s theme, “Better with Books,” emphasizes the idea that every moment can be enhanced by the gift of a good book. In support of this initiative, the Penguin Hotline has partnered with ProLiteracy, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through adult literacy. Their mission is to foster a more educated society, believing that progress starts with an informed adult population.
One of the greatest joys in my life is seeing my kids embrace reading. Thanks to the Penguin Hotline, I’m feeling more assured than ever that the books they receive this holiday season will be ones they cherish. And while I’m at it, I might just request a few recommendations for myself—because during this ongoing pandemic, books truly do make every moment better.
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