New Delhi : The Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF), in collaboration with Penguin Random House India, is proud to announce the launch of the KLF Penguin Book Review Competition- The Book Review Project. This exciting national initiative aims to reigniting the love for books, encouraging vibrant literary discussions, and connecting readers from all corners of India. KLF X Penguin Book Review Project invites book enthusiasts to read, review, and share their insights on a specially curated list of 10 books, offering participants the chance to win exciting prizes and gain recognition at one of India’s most prestigious literary festivals. The competition is live from 3 December 2025 to 22 December 2025.
The reading list for the competition will feature a carefully selected mix of exciting books, chosen by Penguin’s editorial team. For participants who do not already own the books, easy-to-access Amazon links will be provided, ensuring that everyone can participate. After reading the books, participants will submit a review of up to 1,000 words along with a photo of the book, which they will share on their Instagram page. Reviews will be further amplified by KLF and Penguin through Instagram Stories, providing a platform for participants to showcase their literary insights to a wider audience.
The competition’s selection process will involve KLF assisting in creating a shortlist of 15 titles, from which a jury consisting of two Penguin editors and one KLF representative will select the final winner. The grand prizes include ₹10,000 for the winner and ₹5,000 for the runner-up, along with a hamper of Penguin published books to be presented during the Kalinga Literature Festival at the Mayfair Hotel in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, in January 2026. KLF will take care of all travel, accommodation, and logistical arrangements for the winner and the runner-up, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience.
The KLF Penguin Book Review Competition is open to all readers from across India, with free registration. This is a unique opportunity for participants from all states to join a nationwide celebration of literature and creativity. Whether you are an aspiring writer, a seasoned book reviewer, or simply a lover of books, this competition offers a platform to engage with the literary world, hone your review skills, and be a part of a larger cultural conversation.
“In an age where distractions often overpower our connection to books, initiatives like the KLF Penguin Book Review Competition are a powerful reminder of the magic that lies within the pages of a great book. By encouraging readers to reflect, review, and share their thoughts, we not only rekindle a passion for reading but also inspire the next generation of literary voices. This competition is not just about winning; it is about reigniting the love for stories that shape our world, nurture our imaginations, and connect us all,” says Ashok Kumar Bal, CEO and Patron of KLF.
Pallavi Narayan, GM- Corporate Communications, Penguin Random House India, says, “Kalinga Literary Festival has consistently championed reading and nurtured a culture of literary curiosity, and we are delighted to partner with them on this initiative. At Penguin Random House India, we believe in amplifying diverse Indian voices and taking our books to readers everywhere, and this competition creates a wonderful opportunity to do exactly that. Literary festivals like KLF play an essential role in bringing authors, publishers, and readers into the same vibrant space, and we are proud to support a project that celebrates storytelling and strengthens the country’s reading community.”
Come be part of a bold public experiment that celebrates how deeply you read, how brilliantly they write, and how the world of reviewing brings the two together. We invite readers from every corner of India to travel to Odisha, experience the beauty of its culture, and join enthralling literary conversations at the Kalinga Literary Festival.
