I test Gemini for a living — 5 prompts I wish I knew sooner

1. Get personalised book recomendations

My bookshelves are full of half-read novels, old favorites, and impulse buys I still haven’t touched, but choosing what to read next can still feel weirdly overwhelming.

So I asked Gemini: "Here’s a photo of my bookshelf — can you recommend 3 books I might enjoy based on what you see?"

Instead of rattling off random titles, Gemini actually analyzed the authors I already liked and built suggestions from there. Because I had Choke by Chuck Palahniuk, it recommended Fight Club — same transgressive style, same dark, funny undertones.

It noticed Dearly by Margaret Atwood and suggested The Handmaid’s Tale as a natural next step, with its sharp, dystopian themes. And seeing Transcription by Kate Atkinson, it recommended Life After Life, another of her twisty, time-bending novels.

It wasn’t just helpful — it felt personal, like having a friend who actually knows your taste. I wasn’t expecting to be surprised by a reading recommendation, but here we are.

2. Visualize a product

Turning an idea into something visual usually requires design software, or at the very least, a lot of back-and-forth with a designer.

So I tried this: "Generate a realistic product mockup for a reusable water bottle brand aimed at frequent flyers."

Gemini returned a clean, minimalist image that looked straight out of a startup pitch deck. The matte black finish, sleek silhouette, and compact form nailed the travel-friendly feel.

The gold logo, simple, modern, and geometric, added just enough polish to make it look brand-ready. It was subtle but premium, and honestly, something I could imagine seeing in the real world.

For anyone testing an idea or pitching to a team, this kind of fast visualization is a game-changer. It’s a way to move from “what if” to “here’s what it could look like” without spending hours in Photoshop or Canva.

3. Curate a playlist

Hosting a dinner party where you don’t know everyone can be a little awkward, and music sets the tone. I wanted a playlist that was warm, low-key, and still interesting.

So I Gemini: "Make me a playlist for a dinner party where I don’t know anyone — warm, low-key, but still interesting."

It didn’t just toss out generic “chill” tracks. It curated a mix of relaxed but conversation-friendly music that felt thoughtful and varied, without being distracting.

There were a few familiar tracks to ease people in, and a handful of slightly unexpected picks that became great icebreakers. For social situations where the vibe really matters, this prompt nailed it.

4. Rethinking interior design (with plants in mind)

I wanted to refresh my space without buying anything new — just make it feel more put-together. So I asked Gemini:

"Can you help me rearrange my houseplants so they look good in the room and also get the light they need?"

Gemini didn’t just give me generic advice — it actually identified each plant from my photo: a Monstera, a Jade plant, and two types of Philodendron. Then it helped me arrange them based on both their light needs and their visual impact.

For example, it placed the sun-loving Jade closest to the window, tucked the Monstera slightly to the side for softer light, and suggested pulling the lower-light Philodendrons back to avoid scorching.

It even considered things like varying the plant heights, balancing leaf textures, and letting the pot colors play off one another.

It was like getting both a plant stylist and a care guide in one — and the result made the space feel calmer, brighter, and far more put-together.

5. Plan a stress-free break

I love the idea of spontaneous travel, but planning can easily get overwhelming. I didn’t want an overbooked itinerary — just a low-effort, fun escape.

So I tried: "Help me plan a low-stress city break where I don’t have to book anything in advance — except maybe the hotel."

It delivered exactly that. Using my location, Gemini built a flexible plan around London, with suggestions I could pick up or drop depending on how I felt that day.

It offered ideas like scenic canal walks, markets to browse, museums with free entry, and green spaces for people-watching. It even included food spots where no booking is needed and transport tips for navigating the city with ease.

Best of all, the structure works in any city — giving you room to explore, pause, and actually enjoy your time away without feeling over-scheduled.