- TIL the phenomenal success of Penguin's Pelican Books was thanks to the co-founding editor of the series, VK Krishna Menon, a staunch socialist and teetotal vegetarian who drank 100 cups of tea a day and slept for only two hours a night http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/apr/25/pelican-books-take-flight-relaunch?CMP=twt_gu 3 comments books