Penguin Group (USA) Launches "What To Give & What To Get," A Chance For Readers To Find Out Which Books Their Favorite Authors Will Give This Holiday Season
Elizabeth Gilbert, Khaled Hosseini, Geraldine Brooks, Nick Hornby, Jan Karon, Michael Pollan, Stuart Woods and Mike Lupica Are Among the New York Times Bestselling, Award-winning Penguin Group (USA) Authors Sharing Their Personal "Wish Lists" for Giving Books this Holiday
New York, New York, November 25, 2008 ... Penguin Group (USA) has announced the launch of "What to Give & What to Get," a chance for consumers to get an inside look at the books on the personal wish lists of some of their favorite authors this holiday season. Close to forty beloved authors from across Penguin Group (USA) have shared the books current or classic, and from any publisher, that make up their personal holiday gift lists this year, for readers everywhere as this year's shopping season begins.
Elizabeth Gilbert, Khaled Hosseini, Geraldine Brooks, Nick Hornby, Jan Karon, Michael Pollan, Stuart Woods, Mike Lupica, Jan Brett, W.E.B. Griffin, Nathaniel Philbrick and many other New York Times bestselling, award-winning Penguin Group (USA) writers participated in the campaign and were asked to share the books that they both would like to give and to receive this season. The resulting messages, heartwarming, humorous and generous of spirit are posted on the Penguin website (www.penguin.com) for public viewing. "Important, Elegant, Affordable. This holiday, change a life, give a book" posters and marketing materials are being offered by Penguin Group (USA) sales representatives to booksellers, who also are free to download the materials off the Penguin bookseller site for display in their stores. This campaign is to help customers who are shopping for the perfect books to give as gifts this year, and to help drive consumer traffic into bookstores throughout the holiday season.
Susan Petersen Kennedy, President of Penguin Group (USA), said, "Books are so personal; they make wonderful gifts. They tap into interests and passions that connect us to friends and family. I hope that by offering readers some insight into the books that our writers cherish—even books we don't publish here at Penguin—we might help people find the perfect gift for those they love."
Stan Hynds of Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vermont commented: "A tip of the hat to Penguin for a very creative idea that will help booksellers and customers alike. For the curious customer wondering why Khaled Hosseini will be giving City of Thieves this year, the Northshire is here to back him up 100% on his recommendation (what a great book!) and put that book in the customer's hands. Meanwhile, I'll be sending Elizabeth Gilbert a copy of Seaworthy by T. R. Pearson. She'll love it."
Daniel Goldin, General Manager, Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops, Milwaukee, said, "This campaign is a great idea. People have always turned to books in a down economy. They stimulate the mind in a way that web sites and television don't. They are escapist, and meditative, life changing and life-affirming."
The "What to Give & What to Get" campaign shares personal anecdotes from authors about books they received in the past that captured their imaginations, books they hope to give and get this year, and titles that have had personal meaning in their own lives. Elizabeth Gilbert wishes for "books about the golden age of exploration—the writings and biographies of great adventurers like Captain Cook and Ernest Shackleton. With travel as expensive as it is these days, I'm looking forward to spending much of 2009 at home, reading about other people's magnificent journeys!" Khaled Hosseini wants to give The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz, which he called, "Hilarious, engaging, and profoundly moving and sad—a feast of language." Jan Karon commented, "When I was ten years old, my grandmother had the wisdom to give me a paperback copy of Robert Frost's poems. It was the most valuable and insightful Christmas present I ever received, as it greatly encouraged, and helped shape, my imaginative gifts. Hurray for books in any season."
Here is a sampling of the "What to Give & What to Get" selections:
Books Authors Want to Give:
Khaled Hosseini: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
Elizabeth Gilbert: The Principles of Uncertainty by Maira Kalman
Stuart Woods: Nick Taylor's American Made, John Meacham's American Lion
Geraldine Brooks: The Life of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski, Dog Man by Martha Sherrill
Nick Hornby: Pictures at a Revolution by Mark Harris
Mike Lupica: Freaky Deaky by Elmore Leonard
Mark Bowden: President Lincoln by William Lee Miller
Books Authors Want to Get:
Michael Pollan: Remix by Lawrence Lessig
Nathaniel Philbrick: Tried By War by James McPherson
Jan Brett: On Feathered Wing by Richard Ettlinger
W.E.B. Griffin: A Bold, Fresh Piece of Humanity by Bill O'Reilly
Stewart O'Nan: More Information Than You Require by John Hodgman
Henry Winkler: The Mark of the Assassin by Daniel Silva
Danica McKellar: Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
A full compilation list of the books for all ages, new and old, from publishers large and small, that make up these beloved authors' holiday gift-giving list can be viewed on the Penguin website at www.penguin.com.
NOTE TO THE PRESS:
The list of Penguin Group (USA) authors who participated in the "What to Give & What to Get" campaign follows below:
Elizabeth Gilbert; Khaled Hosseini; Stuart Woods; Jan Karon; Nick Hornby; Geraldine Brooks; Michael Pollan; W.E.B. Griffin; Jan Brett; Robert B. Parker; Nathaniel Philbrick; Susan Vreeland; Mike Lupica; Julia Alvarez; Danica McKellar; John Berendt; Jasper Fforde; Karen Joy Fowler; Stewart O'Nan; John Perkins; Michael Lewis; Melissa Bank; Michael Sims; Tomie dePaola; Leonard Maltin; Jim Trelease; Henry Winkler; John O'Hurley; Donna Leon; Ann B. Ross; Mark Bowden; Michael Corbett; Laura Dave; Nancy Atherton; Andy Chaikin; Robert Alexander; Louise Murphy.
Penguin Group (USA) Inc. is the U.S. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group. Penguin Group (USA) is one of the leading U.S. adult and children's trade book publishers, owning a wide range of imprints and trademarks, including Viking, G. P. Putnam's Sons, The Penguin Press, Riverhead Books, Dutton, Penguin Books, Berkley Books, Gotham Books, Portfolio, New American Library, Plume, Tarcher, Philomel, Grosset & Dunlap, Puffin, and Frederick Warne, among others. The Penguin Group (www.penguin.com) is part of Pearson plc, the international media company.
Contacts:
Marilyn Ducksworth
(212) 366-2564
marilyn.ducksworth@us.penguingroup.com
Dave Zimmer
(212) 366-2687
david.zimmer@us.penguingroup.com
