Books serve several purposes, one of which is to act as an escape from our day to day harsh realities. In search of joyous moments that take us away to meet quirky characters in faraway lands, here are five witty, romance-filled, light-hearted, happy books that will leave you with a big smile on your face.

Having written across varied genres for over half a century, Ruskin Bond, born in 1934 in Kasauli, continues to win the hearts of readers around the world, and especially those in India. Packed with emotional highs and lows, with the spirit of adventure and appreciation for nature being prominent themes in his stories, reading books by Ruskin Bond is like being invited to a private storytelling session with the author. His writings are a flight into a world, very much like ours, where readers become a part of thrilling escapade, meet ghosts, learn to admire flora and fauna, and, most importantly, end up with a feeling of warmth and happiness.

A way to re-live favorite films and enjoy them for their stories, screenplays are often overlooked when it comes to reading for pleasure. Equally enticing and often a better source to understand the complexities of a plot, here are essential screenplays of popular contemporary films that, upon release, made quite an impact in the theatres, especially for their novel and captivating storylines.

Time travel is a concept we find profoundly fascinating. There is something about the elusive nature of time that captivates us, and that is why we love to indulge in a good time-travel story. Like aliens, distant galaxies, and parallel universes, this is a trope that lends the sci-fi genre its irresistible appeal and it's no surprise that there is always a steady stream of new time-travel stories in both books and movies. To celebrate this beloved genre, here are some of the most cleverly conceived and brilliantly written time-travel novels that will take you on mind-boggling adventures.

It's easy to slip into a slumber when on a beach vacation. Thus, it only makes sense to pick up a thriller read that is in complete contrast to what you are doing in real life. Not only does this allow you to transport yourself into a world that is exciting and even a little dangerous, but it also promises an edge-of-the-lounge-chair reading experience. Here are some recommended books that guarantee a little bit of mystery, some adventure thrown in for good measure, a hint of fun, and a whole lot of thrill.

Long gone are the days when adults overlooked graphic novels, claiming them to be "comic books" meant for children. Instead, over time, they have become influential pieces of literature, often having a far more significant impact on society than just the written word. Featuring classic characters, complex plotlines, and pathbreaking art, these seven essential graphic novels feature a diverse set of genres and present tales that continue to fascinate and enthral readers young and old.

There is nothing quite as relaxing as reading a good book while you are curled up in an overstuffed armchair with a glass of your favorite wine sparkling nearby. A comfortable chair by the fire, a sip of crisp wine, and some candlelight set the perfect mood for a cozy evening read, and that's why we've rounded up a list of 5 books perfect for a little wine-fueled reading.

When it’s cold outside and the nights are long, there’s no better way to pass the time than to curl up in front of an open fire with a good book or two. Different types of readers like different kinds of books, so while one person might want to lose themselves inside a fantasy world, another might want to read some non-fiction to teach themselves a new skill. For our part, we like to read a little bit of everything, and this reading list reflects that. It doesn’t matter whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, as long as it makes you think. And so with that in mind, let’s jump on in and take a look at a few of the best books to read while curled up by a fire.

Every time the holiday season rolls around, we love to get stuck into a good book. It’s the perfect way to kill some time when it’s cold outside, especially when the bulk of the holidays are over and everyone’s just sitting around and waiting to get back to work. But what kind of stuff is best to pick up as we’re heading into the New Year and beyond? Well, that depends upon the kind of books that you like to read, but to get you started we’ve worked on a list to help to inspire you. Here’s what we’d recommend.

Last year marked the release of some of the most remarkable and trail-blazing novels in the sci-fi and fantasy genre. Some of these were penned by acclaimed writers and others by emerging talent or first-time authors. From magic to assassins, from secret worlds to dragons, these books give us the much-needed escape from the humdrum, everyday life and will satiate the imagination of the most avid fiction readers. Here is a list of our most favorite sci-fi and fantasy titles of 2019.