The things we do.

My week with books and poems.

So this week I’ve mostly been learning about -

The Origins of Penguin Books.

Penguin Books, a name synonymous with affordable, high-quality literature, revolutionized the publishing industry with its bold vision of bringing good books to the masses. The company was founded in 1935 by Allen Lane, who was then the director of The Bodley Head, a British publishing house. Lane’s innovative idea emerged out of frustration during a visit to a friend, Agatha Christie, in Exeter. Disheartened by the lack of good books available at the railway station, he conceived the idea of publishing quality literature at a price accessible to everyone.

At that time, books were either expensive hardbacks or low-quality pulp fiction. Lane believed that there was a market for well-designed, well-printed paperbacks that could be sold at an affordable price. This led to the birth of Penguin Books, which aimed to sell paperbacks for just sixpence, the same price as a packet of cigarettes. The first ten titles were released in July 1935, with works by authors such as Ernest Hemingway and André Maurois, among others.

What made Penguin Books distinctive was not just its pricing strategy but also its design philosophy. The iconic three-stripe design—orange for fiction, green for crime, and blue for biography—was simple yet striking, making the books instantly recognizable. This branding, coupled with the portability and affordability of the books, made them a huge success. Within a year, Penguin had sold over three million copies, demonstrating that there was indeed a vast audience for inexpensive, well-produced books.

Penguin’s influence extended beyond just making books affordable. The company played a significant role in the democratization of knowledge. During World War II, Penguin published "Penguin Specials," a series of topical books that were produced quickly to inform the public about current events. These Specials sold in the millions and are credited with helping shape public opinion during critical times.

Over the years, Penguin Books has continued to innovate and expand, establishing itself as a global brand synonymous with literary excellence. From its humble beginnings as a response to a lack of good reading material at a train station, Penguin has grown into a cultural institution, demonstrating the power of books to educate, inform, and inspire a broad audience.

I admit, I knew most of this anyway. But I was at the same train station this week and was inspired. And talking of inspiration, the absolutely fabulous

Maia Brown-Jackson

has introduced me to the Japanese form of poem called Tanka. Maia’s work has been so transformative to how I write, and it’s been a tough act to follow after reading their work . But I’ve given it a shot.

Life’s fleeting moments,

like cherry blossoms falling,

time whispers gently—

each petal tells a story,

a journey of dreams and tears.

---

Secret glances steal,

heart flutters with hidden hope,

words left unspoken—

in the silence, dreams unfold,

a soft yearning blooms within.

---

For

Maia Brown-Jackson

Your words like spring rain,

nurtured seeds of thought in me,

verses took their root—

now my heart sings in tanka,

each line a tribute to you.

---

Moonlit empty streets,

echoes of a whispered breeze—

no footsteps but mine.

In the stillness, shadows cling,

companions to solitude.

---

Tall pines touch the sky,

whispers carried on the wind,

needles dance in song.

Their ancient roots hold the earth,

steady through the storm’s embrace.

---

I’ve been listening to this soundtrack on repeat while I try and write a post about the films it is from.

Also Shelia Heti’s podcast which is just as fascinating as her books.

More soon, brewing a new post for my other Substack Drawing Conclusions if you want to know more about my art and the things I make.

Hi, thank you so much for reading. Sorry it may not be up to my usual standards, having to work on my phone to write as my laptop is dead!! Fancy buying me a coffee?That would be so awesome if you could and would help my work towards a new laptop.