Полка is an educational project dedicated to the most important works of Russian literature. It offers a curated collection of books that have left a significant impact on history, expanded the possibilities of literature, influenced language, thoughts, and society, and provided new insights into the world and the human experience, thus establishing their place in the Russian literary canon. The selection of books on Полка is based on a comprehensive evaluation process.

Renowned writers, literary scholars, publishers, critics, and teachers were consulted to nominate the most important literary works, without specifying the criteria for their significance. Each book mentioned by the experts received one point. The main list on Полка comprises 108 works that garnered nine or more points.

Topping the list is Mikhail Lermontov's A Hero of Our Time. On Полка, you will find fictional works written in Russian or translated by the authors themselves, including novels, novellas, stories, plays, and literary memoirs. The platform does not cover poetry, except for a few lengthy narrative poems, nor does it include historical and philosophical works, scientific texts, or other forms of non-fiction.

In addition to the curated collection, Полка provides various materials to enhance your reading experience. At the end of each article, you'll find links to additional texts, audio, and video materials related to the book, offering you the opportunity to delve deeper into its content. The reference list at the end of each article provides insights into the sources used for research.

Furthermore, you can begin reading books from the Полка list directly on the platform without the need to leave your browser by clicking the Read on Bookmate button at the bottom of each article. By exploring Полка, you gain a better understanding of the works discussed and may even discover them from a new perspective. The platform is designed in a question-and-answer format to address potential inquiries from readers.

If you have any questions, you can submit them using the form on the book's page, and the team will strive to provide answers. You can also share specific questions and answers on social media. Furthermore, Полка offers various thematic lists in the Списки section.

These collections of books are organized by common themes, genres, forms, or styles. The lists are arranged chronologically, allowing you to use them as guides for further reading or to track the development of Russian literature. Полка expresses gratitude to Charmer Studio for their work on the website's visual design and the creation of important design elements.

The project also appreciates the support from Arzamas, with shared values and collaboration. Special thanks go to the Полка bookstore in Nizhny Novgorod and Alexander Karpuk, who generously allowed the project to use the name