Russia has produced some of the greatest people in the area of literature. The Golden age of Russian poetry began with Alexander Pushkin who is the founder of Russian literary language and is more commonly known as the ‘Russian Shakespeare’. After the Golden age various genres became popular in Russia, starting from poetry, novels, and short fiction stories to literary realism and symbolism. The work of Russian authors varies from romance, satire, religion and politics. Many have written autobiographies about their interesting lives which have become widely popular, while others wrote about the political conditions of the Soviet Union and its role in the world war. Their work has been published and translated worldwide and has attracted many readers. Here is a list of the top ten greatest Russian authors of all time.

1. Alexander Pushkin

Pushkin was the founder of literary poetry during the Golden era of poetry in Russia. He introduced the genre of romantic poetry and novels. His first poem was published when he was only in his teens and soon he was famous throughout Russia. His major work was his novel, Eugene Ongene. Being a romantic hero he died a heroic life as he succumbed to his wounds in a fight with Georges-Charles who tried to seduce his wife.

2. Alexander Solzhenitsyn

He was a Russian novelist, writer and dramatist. He used his work to spread awareness about the Gulag, the Soviet Union government agency that administered labor camps. His most famous contributions include ‘The Gulag archipelago’ and ‘One day in the life of Ivan Denisovich’.

3. Ivan Turgenev

He was a novelist and short story writer who was initially rejected by many publishers on his work ‘Father and Sons’ which is now considered a classic. His major publication was ‘A sportsman’s sketches’, a short story collection which aimed at the cruelties of surf society.

4. Vladimir Nabokov

He was a Russian-American novelist and entomologist. His first nine novels were in Russian after which he became more prominent and started writing English novels which are very popular worldwide. His much appreciated, controversial novel ‘Lolita’ was written in Russian and English and attained the status of a classic. He was also a finalist for the national book award for fiction seven times.

5. Mikhail Bulgakov

Bulgakov was a writer, physician and playwright active during the early twentieth century. He was claimed as the most controversial writers of his time and was famous for his satires on the society in Soviet Union. Although he received his education in medicine his inclination to literature lured him towards becoming a novelist. His most significant work is his novel ‘The master and margarita’.

6. Anton Chekhov

He is acknowledged as the greatest short fiction writer in history. He was initially a physician but after gaining interest in literature and started writing seriously. Therefore he proceeded with his career in medicine as well as writing books alongside. He once said “Medicine is my lawful wife and literature my mistress; when I get tired of one, I spend the night with the other”. His most influential work was ‘The Seagull’ and ‘Uncle Vanya’.

7. Ivan Bunin

Bunin was the first Russian author who was awarded with the Nobel Prize in literature. He was noted for artistry, realism, poetry and classical traditions. The young writer spent his childhood in some financial crisis due to the head of the family being a gambling addict and therefore could not receive the best of the education. Nonetheless, that did not pull him down and he was able to make way to the top. His most acclaimed work includes; ‘The Village’ and ‘Dry Calley’, his autobiography ‘The life of Arseniev’ and the short stories of ‘Dark Avenues’.

8. Nikolai Gogol

Gogol was a Ukrainian-born Russain dramatist, novelist and short story writer and he was greatly influenced by Ukrainian culture. His masterpiece included romantic sensibility, with strains of surrealism and the grotesque. He is also prominently known for his portrayal of real life characters. The novel Taras Bulba (1835) and the play Marriage (1842), along with the short stories “Diary of a Madman”, “The Tale of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich”, “The Portrait” and “The Carriage”, are of his most significant and popular works.

9. Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Dostoyevsky was a Russian novelist, short story writer, essayist, journalist and philosopher. His context explores human psychology, which is the study of behavior and mind, embracing all aspects of conscious and unconscious experience as well as thought. Even though he graduated as a military engineer he resigned and joined a socialist group, he was later captured by the police and sent to Siberia. Due to these life changing incidents he became a writer and talked about his experience in prison time and again in ‘The house of dead’, ‘The Insulted and the Injured,’ and ‘Winter Notes on Summer Impression’. He eventually became one of the most widely read and highly regarded Russian writers. His books have been translated into more than 170 languages.

10. Leo Tolstoy

Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy more commonly known as Leo Tolstoy as translated in English was one of the most phenomenal writers in the history of all time. He was a Russian novelist and short story writer, but later in life he also wrote some plays and essays.

His most popular works are War and Peace (1869) and Anna Karenina (1877). He first became popularly known for his semi-autobiographical trilogy, Childhood, Boyhood, and Youth (1852–1856), and Sevastopol Sketches (1855), based upon his experiences in the Crimean War. Later in life he became strongly influenced by the ethical teachings of Jesus and experienced profound moral crisis which urged him to publish some religious scripts. During his last few days he had surprisingly talked about death and a couple of days later passed away due to pneumonia.

Canada is the country most well known for its hospitality, diversity, sports and of course, its maple syrup! Along with all these most valuable contributions Canada has provided the world with some outstanding authors that you must read. Below is a list of the famous Canadian authors which will make you appreciate Canadian literature a little bit better.

1. Margaret Atwood

Atwood is one of the most popular writer not only in Canada but is known for her work globally. She has been awarded the Booker prize, Scotia bank Giller Prize, Arthur C. Clarke Award and Princess of Asturias Award for literature. Her novel The Handmaid’s Tale won her the Arthur C. Clarke Award, 2985 Governor General’s Award and was chosen the finalist for Booker prize. Amongst the many novels written by her these are the few of the ‘must reads’; The Robber Bride, Alias Grace, The blind Assassin, Oryx and Clarke, and last but not the least The year of the flood.

2. Lucy Maud Montgomery

One of her most brilliantly written and appreciated work is Anne of Green Gables. Most of her Anne series were set in the Prince Edward Island of Canada. The books have been made into various films and  animated television series.

3. Douglas Coupland

Known for his command over the fiction novels particularly the mystery genre. He is famous for his international bestselling book Generation X: Tales for an accelerated culture. His other work includes Girlfriend in a coma, Miss Wyoming, All families are psychotic and Eleanor Rigby.

4. Robertson Davies

Davies wrote 30 books in total throughout his lifetime. His best book ‘What’s bred in the nine’ was shortlisted for the Booker prize. His books were filled with oddball characters, witty and whimsical. His famous quote says it all: ‘All mothers think their children are oaks, but the world never lacks for cabbages’. Robertson Davies was definitely one of the oaks.

5. Joseph Boyden

He wrote many inspiring books many of which we may even classify as classics. The talented author became interested in the field of literature since a very young age. Boyden’s novel ‘The Orenda’ won the 2013 edition of Canada reads. Three day roads won the 2006 Amazon.ca First Novel Award; it also was defended by filmmaker Nelofer Pazira in Canada Reads. His second novel ‘Through black spruce’ also won the Scotiabank Giller prize award.

6. Yann Martel

The author of Life of Pi, which was made into a Hollywood movie, was a flamboyant success all over the world. This book also won the Man Booker Prize and was an international bestseller published in more than 50 territories. The book portrays the relationship between an Indian boy and a tiger as they are stuck together on a shipwreck and the journey they make, the outcome of their odd affair is rather unusual and it is up to the readers whether to believe the facts or let their imagination take them into the world of Pi.

7. Heather O’Neill

Born in Montreal, O’Neil’s talent is known at international level and her name is widely popular among the literatis universally. Her debut novel Lullabies for little criminals was selected for 2007 Canada reads. The book won the competition and not only that but also won the Hugh MacLennan prize for fiction. It went on to become an international bestseller.

8. Lisa Moore

Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Moore’s first two books, Degrees of Nakedness (1995) and Open (2002), were short story collections. Open was a commercial and critical breakthrough, earning a nomination for the Giller Prize. Her very first novel Alligator was also nominated for the Giller Prize. She was also nominated for 2010 Booker Prize for her novel February.

9. Miriam Toews

Born 1964 in Steinbach, Toews is famous for her two novels ‘A complicated kindness’ and ‘All my puny sorrows’. Her novel ‘All my puny sorrows’ is inspired by true life events leading up to the 2010 suicide of her elder sister, a touching a sorrowful novel that surely is a must read. She has won a series of awards for her work including the Governor General’s Award for Fiction and the Writers’ Trust Engel/Findley Award.

10. Margaret Laurence

Born in Neepawa, she was the founder of Writers trust of Canada which encourages Canada’s writing community. She was Canada’s most esteemed and beloved author. Best known for her book, The Stone Angel, it was made into a featured film directed by Kari Skogland and starring Ellen Burstyn was released in 2017.

A comic is computerized designs included with text, speech bubble or quotations to express an opinion. As a result, a graphic novel is a book made up of comic’s content. The content can express different views, love, hate, war and politics. This style of writing and illustration enjoys the freedom of speech but may at times be offensive to some people. On the other hand, a lot of graphic novels target the young children because simple novels can be undemonstrative, boring and can get bland and the child is easily distracted. Therefore to attract attention and to keep you fully entertained the graphic novels use the technology of graphic design to keep the reader hooked on at all times. This genre emerged during the 1970s and it wasn’t until the 80s that public became familiar to it and started gaining fame like some of the legendary graphic novels for example, The Dark Knight by Frank Miller, a must read for all ages. Nonetheless, it wasn’t actually until 2001 that bookstores actually started stocking graphic novel as a separate category. Here are some of the best graphic novels of all time.

1. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
As I have mentioned above, Frank miller, the legend of the genre of graphic novels, wrote this comic in 1997 and it became a universal hit and still is. This novel is about the most loved super hero batman, who is a vigilante and silent protector of Gotham. The dark knight comes out of his ten years of retirement and faces his two greatest enemies, the joker and two-face.(Buy)

2. Alice in Sunderland
This is based on the Alice from the original Alice and wonderland and the character has taken a twist in a different range and various stories revolve around it. The main characters Alice and Lewis Caroll explore the city of Sunderland which is inspired by some of Lewis’s masterpieces.(Buy)

3. Watchmen
The novel is set in the 1980s where they’ve shown the United States at war with the Soviet Union. It is up to this team of super-heros to avert a global apocalypse. The novel introduces outstanding characters with their astonishing outfits and vibrant colors. The art-work is designed brilliantly for the reader to not be able to take their eyes off the page. The comic-artist that inspired this graphic novel was Alan Moore in collaboration with Dave Gibbons.(Buy)

4. From Hell
Another one of Alan Moore’s greatest hit, one after the other, this was one of Moore’s bestselling work. The story revolves around Jack Ripper the notorious serial killer of his time. It is one of the most terrifying and grotesque crime fictions in the history of all time. Therefore if you are into the mystery genre with an overlap of comic and graphic novels this book fits perfectly into your category.(Buy)

5. Ghost world
A dark humorous graphic novel that talks about the adventures of two typical teenage girls who aimlessly explore towns and pass their time gossiping and fantasizing about some odd men they see in local restaurants.(Buy)

6. V for Vendetta
V for vendetta has been made into a movie which is dramatically displayed and excellently executed. The story is set in an imaginative future England where the city has given itself up to fascism which results in the loss of freedom. It is an account of rebellion, oppression and resistance.(Buy)

7. 100 bullets by Brian Azarello
An American graphic novel published by DC comics under Vertigo imprint. The concept of 100 bullets is based on not just a 100 bullets but 100 questions, decisions and conclusions. It is a story of vengeance, murder cases that have somehow been validated. The story involves a mysterious agent, Agent Graves, who approaches an innocent man who has become a victim of a misunderstanding and something terribly wrong. He is given the chance to take revenge with no account of his criminal act and give a hundred bullets. It is up to him to decide what should be the right thing to do. In fact it targets all on mankind and what their instincts would be if given a situation and opportunity to act on the desire of violent revenge.(Buy)

8. Day tripper by Fabio Moon
This story is about a child prodigy, the young Bras de Olivia Domingos, a famous Brazilian writer’s child who is inspired to one day become a world famous author himself. This novel is about life, the unpredictability and uncertainty of life that probably everyone can relate to. Each day is like a blank page and he is the author of an unwritten book which he seems to have to control over. It is a magical, mysterious and adventure graphic novel beautifully written by Fabio Moon.(Buy)

9. The league of extraordinary gentlemen by Alan Moore
Alan Moore has come up in the context time and time again as he happens to be of the most notable authors in this genre of books. He has come up on the top of many lists of best graphic novels. The league of extraordinary gentlemen is yet another masterpiece written by Moore. The set up is around the end of the nineteenth century, the downfall of the Victorian era and the entire set up in a total chaos. Therefore different important figures work together amidst this chaos to face together any threats towards Britain.(Buy)

10. Black Hole by Charles Burns
This novel is set in mid-1970 where a plague has become endemic in an area that is manifested in horrifying different ways. The atmosphere turns ominous as the plague gradually takes over and the infected start showing sinister characteristics which seem to have no cure. The kids who are caught in seem to be stuck because there is no turning back. A series of appalling and alarming events take place that you would’ve never read before. This graphic novel is classified as one of the best horror reads written by Charles Burns.(Buy

Anxiety is a feeling of constant nervousness, an unpleasant feeling and apprehension about an uncertain outcome. Some of the symptoms include palpitations, irritation and agitation along with tension headaches. To feel anxious is a normal emotion and we do not acknowledge this problem at times and live in constant fear of the unknown. However there is an easy solution to this problem. No need for a therapist or medication when you have an easy at home remedy. The coloring books for adults. We need to widen our horizon and discard the idea that coloring is only for children. It is scientifically proven that adult coloring books have had positive outcomes and they soothe and de-stress anxiety sufferers. These books have intricate designs of different patterns that can be colored in using different vivid colored pencils. The ambiance needs to be a relaxing and silent atmosphere or very light music in the background (my personal favorite- The Archduke Trio by Beethoven). Moreover, these books are not just for anxious people, I enjoy them after a tiring day just to relax myself. It is the perfect sweet escape.

1. Calming Colouring: Nature Patterns by Graham Leslie McCallum
This book includes thick pages with delicately designed nature inspired patterns. The artist and designer, Graham McCallum, has created a graphic view of the trees and leaves that have a soothing effect on the person. As statistically stated, the color green is most well recognized by the human eye and therefore coloring in leaves the color green really focuses the mind on the different shades of green.(Buy)

2. Animorphia by Kerby Rosanes
This is the perfect book for all the animal lovers. Not only does it allow you to color in your favorite animals but it also has some ‘search spots’ where there are illustrations within illustrations and the human mind gets preoccupied into the world of animorphia. This is the perfect way to take a break and get involved into some art so pick up your coloring pencils!(Buy)

3. Dream Cities by Rosie, Chadwick, Alice Goodwin
If you are a travel/tourism enthusiast (like me) and want to nothing but travel the world then the coloring book of dream cities is the way to go. You’ll come across pages that’ll include cityscapes, landmarks and landscapes that you’ll easily recognize. This book also includes a fun activity of a mini treasure hunt for finding extra images with their detailed illustrations.(Buy)

4. Cats: 70 designs to help you de-stress by Hamlyn
This book is simply about seventy feline-inspired designs that are specifically designed for cat-lovers. The best way to calm down would be to color in your favorite animal with detailed colors. This will keep your mind occupied with something you would absolutely adore getting involved in, even for those of who aren’t kitty fans can enjoy the beautiful patterns on these heavy-duty pages.(Buy)

5. Enchanted Forest: An Inky Quest & Coloring Book by Johanna Basford
Probably of one of the most popular illustrators in the market of adult coloring books, Johana Basford, who is also famous for her successful secret garden coloring books. As the name suggests an inky adventure implying that ink can be used as some people have had trouble with in other coloring books. The paper quality used is excellent and pens and ink markers can definitely be used. The enchanted forest is everything you would find in a perfect fairytale story, a woodland, greenery, a thick forest and of course the way to the enchanted locked castle.(Buy)

6. Harry Potter Coloring Book
The paper qualities of this book may vary depending on the different outlets so make sure you use an authentic source to either shop online or buying off of a store. The book is obviously Harry Potter theme based with images realistically drawn from the film or just illustrations in detail as we have imagined it from how it has be described in the book. The images move on from the most loved and popular characters of Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Dumbledore to the most unwanted characters like Malfoy and Peter. It also includes images of the persona non grata; you guessed it, Lord Voldemort. Obviously the book targets the Harry Potter fans but I would recommend it to those who want to escape into a world of fantasy, magic and enchantment.(Buy)

7. The Official A Game of Thrones Coloring Book by George R. R Martin
I am a staunch follower of the game of thrones series and we all know there have been books and a television series as well. The game of thrones can be addictive to be honest so I wouldn’t be surprised if this coloring book casts a spell upon you too. The characters of the series are famous worldwide whether you’re a fan of the show or not I’m sure you’re familiar with Khaleesi, Starks, Cersi and a few other popular names. People might find this a bit odd to use this book to soothe someone as the show itself is so violent however the bold colors, the favorite characters and most certainly the dragons will keep your mind full. Therefore grab a coffee and a copy of this book because ‘winter is coming’!(Buy)

8. The Magical City by Lizzie Mary Cullen
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about a magical city? Cobbled pavements, urban neighborhoods, hidden city and a lot of magic? That’s exactly what you will find in this coloring book illustrated by the award winning Lizzie. Doodle and color your way through into a dream where a stunning whimsical world surrounds you.(Buy)

9. Vogue Colouring Book by Iain R. Webb
This book is for the shopaholics, fashionistas, divas and people who are simply followers of the vogue magazine. The book contains bold, vivid, outstanding images of stylish imagines from the 1950s vogue. You will find your favorite brands, most wanted silhouettes and old fashioned styles that are to die for!(Buy)

10. Creative Coloring Inspirations: Art Activity Pages to Relax and Enjoy! by Valentina Harper
My inspiration to get out of bed every morning is the quote ‘Today is going to be awesome’ which is stated on the front cover of the book. Just like that the book is full of creativity and inspirations that won’t only de-stress and relax you but enlighten and elevate your mood and energy levels. This one has been the last on my list but definitely is not the least!(Buy)

An adventure is an exciting or unusual experience. It can be risky, exhilarating, bold and exuberant. It can include; sky diving, travelling or extreme sports. But that was just a list of some outdoorsy activities. However, adventure can include indulging in a thrilling movie, writing an exciting story or simply, reading an adventure book. For me, that’s the greatest venture of all, where I can let my imagination run wild and let the book lead me into a world of hazards, endangerment and uncertainty. Therefore if you classify yourself as a bohemian, wanderer, risk-taking adventurer, I dare you to go ahead and read these top ten adventure books of all time.

1. Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
Moby-Dick, if you’re not a hermit or have been living under a rock your whole life you must have at least come across hearing about Moby-Dick. Well, if not, here’s a short summary; Moby-Dick is a novel written by the American author Herman Melville which was a turning point of his career as it turned out to be the master-piece of all time. The story is narrated by the sailor, Ishmael who is on board with the obsessive, slightly neurotic Captain Ahab on a quest to find the white whale, Moby-Dick, who has apparently ruined his whole life and now seeks revenge. The characters are brilliantly portrayed as well as the descriptions of the exotic locations with a tinge of dark humor. If you haven’t already read this book I would recommend you to pick up your copy right away.

2. The Call of the Wild by Jack London
The story revolves around the initially domesticated canine, Buck, before he gets kidnapped and moved around, and about his adventures. The reader is anxiously on edge at all times as the novel takes uncertain turns with hazards around every corner. The book describes the indestructible nature of this courageous dog and how he endures the unpleasant conditions and behavior without any fear.

3. Odyssey by Homer
The novel is set about three thousand years ago, although it would be wrong to call it a novel as it is rather an epic poem. Homer has great command over literature, poetry, metaphors and symbolism. It’s based on the ancient Greek sea god Poseidon and the challenges he faces on his return home after twenty years. The ancient Greek history is unraveled and myths and legends retold in this poem. Therefore if you enjoy poetry, literature compositions along with adventure this should be on your list of reads.

4. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
This is the first non-fiction documentation on the list. Fiction adventure books are an enjoyable read; however we cannot leave out non-fiction because these are the ones that take you as close as possible to the real adventure that you can experience. Thus I have included one of my favorite tragic tales, into the wild. This inspirational story is about a young man who leaves all his possessions behind to live life on his own terms and invents his own life after donating his valuables to charity. He hitchhikes his way to reach his final destination, Alaska to become a wanderer. However the world seems to be too harsh on him and he only gets to live his dream for a short span of four months after which he passes away. His body is found after these few months by a moose hunter.

5. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Had I been writing this blog post a few years ago this novel would’ve appeared on the top of my list and it is still the most ‘treasured’ book on my shelf but I seemed to have grown out of it (only a little). This book was the turning point of adventure novels during my childhood and I am sure many people would relate. As the title suggests, this adventure is about the venture of men seeking for treasure. Stereo-typically you would expect the one legged pirate, the talking bird and of course the treasure map, however this doesn’t seem cliché at all. I would classify it as a classic. Surely a delightful read for all ages.

6. The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
‘The lord of the rings’ fans would already know of this novel. The Hobbit is the same set up of the whimsical world created by the author. The plot revolves around the young Bilbo Baggins and his adventure into a world that his fellow hobbits will perhaps never see. The story intersects with fantasy, mystery and adventure. I would highly recommend it to people who would enjoy mystery books as well as adventure.

7. Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer
Yet another outstanding read by Krakauer, an account of the 1996 disaster. It is an account of a great miscalculation of an upcoming devastating storm that was the cause of death of five mountain climbers. The mountaineers enthusiastically made their way up the mount when suddenly they were stricken by the terrible weather after which every life moment and limbs were in peril. There was no peace, rest or a moment of safety through this read.

8. Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
The story of Phileas Fogg, also made into a great film with the main character portrayed by Steve Coogan. The uptight Phileas proves to the world his journey around the world in eighty days around the time when the world wasn’t such a global village. His exhilarating journey across the different countries and the different modes of transportation are excellently executed in the novel.

9. Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
A universal read all over the continent and for all ages. This book casually mocks different aspects, religion, science and politics with the use of satire. The main character is taken through all sorts of strange journeys, mishaps, islands and philosophies that we have probably never read before.

10. King Solomon’s Mines by H. Rider Haggard
An incredible quest of an undiscovered mine of King Solomon into unexplored parts of Africa. Three Englishmen, a lost man, an untold story and an undiscovered kingdom; need I say more? Get deluded into the world of imagination, legends history and adventure.