The Library
Read Classic Literature in English
Learn English by reading the books worth reading. Every book is the complete text, labelled A2 to C2 — tap any word for an instant translation, hear natural audio narration, and save the vocabulary you meet as you go. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
Level C1PoetryRobert F. Murray (Author of the Scarlet Gown): His Poems; with a MemoirExplore the poignant life and poetry of a young writer whose delicate humor, tender reflections, and love of letters reveal the struggles and ideals of a soul striving for excellen…
Level C1ClassicsRobert ElsmereIn the quiet Westmoreland valley, nature’s sober beauty mirrors the steadfast lives of its inhabitants, setting the stage for a profound exploration of faith, love, and human purpo…
Level C1PoetryRobert Burns: How To Know HimExplore the life of a fiercely passionate and independent poet who rises from humble beginnings amid hardship and family struggles in 18th-century Scotland.
Level C1ClassicsRobert BurnsExplore the vivid life and soul of a beloved Scottish poet through his own heartfelt poems and songs, revealing his joys, faults, and the society that shaped him.
Level C1PoetryRobert BurnsExplore the turbulent early life of a gifted poet born into hardship in Ayrshire, whose stormy passions and steadfast family shaped the verses that would captivate generations.
Level C1PoetryRobert Browning: How to Know HimExplore the life and poetic genius of Robert Browning through vivid interpretations of his work, revealing his unique style, paradoxes, and optimism shaped by a privileged upbringi…
Level C1ClassicsRobert BrowningExplore the enigmatic life behind the profound poetry of a man whose emotions remain as mysterious as the forces of nature themselves, revealing the complexity of genius wrapped in…
Level C1PoetryRobert BrowningExplore the inner journey of a poet whose mind reshaped spiritual understanding, revealing how his works reflect a profound optimism that challenges materialism and illuminates the…
Level C1HistoricalRobert Annys: Poor Priest. A Tale of the Great UprisingIn 1379 England, a humble priest defies the powerful Church by preaching the Gospel directly to the common people, sparking a quiet revolution of faith and justice amid the looming…
Level C1AdventureRob of the Bowl: A Legend of St. Inigoe's. Vol. 1 (of 2)In the fading ruins of Maryland’s first capital, a tale unfolds of religious strife, forgotten histories, and the resilient spirit of a fledgling colony struggling to preserve its…
Level C1AdventureRob Roy — CompleteAmid the wild Scottish Highlands, a daring outlaw named Rob Roy defies authority with cunning and courage, stirring legend and conflict near the bustling city of Glasgow.
Level C1AdventureRob Nixon, the Old White Trader: A Tale of Central British North AmericaIn the vast, untamed prairies of North America, a skilled old hunter leads a fierce buffalo chase amidst the silence and endless horizon.
Level C1ClassicsRiven Bonds. Vol. II.: A Novel, in Two VolumesTorn by past follies and unspoken confessions, Captain Almbach confronts Ella, a woman shrouded in mystery and guarded emotions, in a secluded villa where old bonds and new tension…
Level C1ClassicsRiven Bonds. Vol. I.: A Novel, in Two VolumesIn a lively Hanseatic town, the dazzling Signora Biancona captivates audiences and stirs passions, while a young merchant named Almbach navigates admiration, rivalry, and the sharp…
Level C1Children'sRitchie's Fabulae Faciles: A First Latin ReaderDive into simple and engaging Latin narratives designed for beginners, bridging the gap between elementary lessons and classical texts with carefully graded stories and helpful not…
Level C1ClassicsRise and Fall of Cesar BirotteauIn the bustling heart of Paris, a devoted perfumer’s wife awakens from a haunting nightmare, filled with fear and confusion about her husband’s mysterious absence.
Level C1Science FictionRipeness is AllIn a future where androids satisfy every desire and human connection feels hollow, a man drifts through a world of artificial pleasures, searching for meaning beyond flesh and flee…
Level C1FantasyRip Van WinkleIn a quiet village beneath the magical Kaatskill mountains, Rip Van Winkle, a kind but hen-pecked man, embarks on an extraordinary adventure that blurs the line between reality and…
Level C1PoetryRio Grande's Last Race, and Other VersesA fearless jockey faces a haunting dream where ghostly champions guide him to ride the legendary Rio Grande in a race that blurs the line between life and death.
Level C1ClassicsRingfield: A NovelIn a remote Canadian settlement overshadowed by the majestic yet forbidding St.
Level C1HistoricalRingan Gilhaize, or, The CovenantersAmidst Scotland's turbulent Covenanter era, a young man navigates faith, loyalty, and rebellion, caught between fierce convictions and the harsh realities of a divided land.
Level C1AdventureRimrock TrailThree rugged cattlemen manage the sprawling Three Star Ranch amid Arizona’s harsh wilderness, balancing grit, humor, and modern ambition.
Level C1HistoricalRilla of InglesideOn a warm afternoon at Ingleside, family life unfolds with laughter, charming gossip, and the curious antics of a cat with a mysterious double nature, hinting at deeper changes loo…
Level C1PoetryRiley Songs of FriendshipCelebrate the warmth of friendship and the sweetness of everyday moments through a collection of heartfelt poems that bloom with charm, humor, and tender reflections on life’s simp…
Level C1PoetryRiley Love-LyricsDelve into tender verses that weave memories of youthful love, dreams, and longing, where each poem unfolds the delicate beauty and bittersweet echoes of old sweethearts and heartf…
Level C1HistoricalRig Veda Americanus: Sacred Songs of the Ancient Mexicans, With a Gloss in NahuatlExplore the ancient sacred hymns of the Mexicans, preserved in intricate manuscripts and shrouded in mystical language, offering a rare glimpse into their archaic religion, mytholo…
Level C1ClassicsRidgway of Montana: A story of to-day, in which the hero is also the villainIn a world where ambition and charm clash, Virginia Balfour weighs the price of marrying the enigmatic Waring Ridgway—a man whose ruthless drive for success masks a dark, compellin…
Level C1RomanceRidgeway: An Historical Romance of the Fenian Invasion of CanadaAmid centuries of English oppression, Irish patriots ignite a fierce resistance fueled by deep-rooted pride and a yearning for freedom.
Level C1ClassicsRiders to the SeaOn a remote Irish island, a mother and her family confront the relentless power of the sea and fate, weaving a poignant tale of loss, resilience, and the harsh rhythms of life in a…
Level C1AdventureRiders of the Purple SageIn a tense frontier settlement, Jane Withersteen grapples with rising conflict between Mormons and Gentiles while defending the mysterious rider Venters—her ally, and perhaps more—…
Level C1ClassicsRiches have wings; or, A tale for the rich and poorIn a society where wealth changes hands as swiftly as the wind, fortunes rise and fall amid fierce ambition and moral challenges.
Level C1HistoricalRichelieu: A Tale of France, v. 3/3Amid political intrigue and peril, the Count de Blenau faces a harrowing dilemma that threatens his honor and life as Cardinal Richelieu arrives unexpectedly to seize control.
Level C1HistoricalRichelieu: A Tale of France, v. 2/3Amidst the treacherous intrigues of Cardinal Richelieu’s France, Claude de Blenau must navigate danger and deceit to protect his love, Pauline de Beaumont, as he confronts the ruth…
Level C1HistoricalRichelieu: A Tale of France, v. 1/3Amidst the turbulent reign of Louis XIII, a young Bishop named Richelieu navigates court intrigues, shifting alliances, and deadly factions to rise from obscurity to power.
Level C1RomanceRichardson's New London fashionable gentleman's valentine writer, or, the lover's own book for this yearDiscover a charming collection of original and popular valentines paired with heartfelt answers, capturing the hopes and hesitations of love across all ranks and walks of life in t…
Level C1RomanceRichard Vandermarck: A NovelAn orphaned young woman grows up in a gloomy, neglected home under the indifferent care of her uncle, finding solace only in books and a small sunlit garret room.
Level C1ClassicsRichard SteeleStep into the lively world of early 18th-century English drama, where wit and satire expose society’s quirks—from mock grief to flawed justice—all crafted by a soldier turned playw…
Level C1HistoricalRichard Lepsius, a biographyExplore the life of a devoted Egyptologist who braves harsh conditions and isolation to unveil the ancient secrets of Nile temples and tombs, revealing mysteries hidden in centurie…
Level C1HistoricalRichard Judkins' Wooing: A Tale of Virginia in the RevolutionAmid the simmering tensions of Revolutionary Virginia, a cool and calculating gentleman encounters a stern Major bearing urgent news, weaving a tale of loyalty, duty, and the stirr…
Level C1AdventureRichard Galbraith, Mariner; Or, Life among the KaffirsOrphaned young and raised by fishermen, a spirited boy with the sea in his heart embarks on a journey from rugged Cornish shores to daring adventures among distant tribes, guided b…
Level C1HistoricalRichard Carvel — CompleteIn colonial Maryland, Lionel Carvel navigates loyalty, honor, and family legacy amid the fading grandeur of a once-glorious estate.
Level C1RomanceRich men's childrenIn the frosty stillness of a California mountain night, a mysterious woman arrives in the rough mining town of Rocky Bar, stirring curiosity and old memories as she reconnects with…
Level C1ClassicsRich enoughA cautious farmer seeks safe, steady investments amidst the bustling ambitions of his wealthy merchant brother, exploring the tension between simple contentment and the lure of spe…
Level C1ClassicsRich Man, Poor ManIn a bustling city, a solitary, shy clerk named Mr.
Level C1ClassicsRiceyman Steps: A NovelIn post-World War I Clerkenwell, a refined, introspective bookseller becomes quietly captivated by a mysterious widow across the street, dreaming of sharing his rich visions of the…
Level C1AdventureRice PapersAmid the sweltering heat of a Chinese river, naval officers aboard a British gunboat navigate the challenges of colonial life, local culture, and unexpected adventures in a land fa…
Level C1AdventureRhymes of the Survey and FrontierVenture into the solitary, perilous world of pioneers who carve civilization from the wilderness, facing relentless hardships and forging a nation's future through courage and sacr…
Level C1PoetryRhymes of the East and Re-collected VersesExplore vivid verses reflecting life, culture, and humor from British India, blending local color with universal themes in this evocative collection of reprinted and revised poems…
Why it works
Why read classics to learn English
Graded by real CEFR level
Every book is labelled B1, B2 or C1 so you can pick something that stretches you without overwhelming you.
Tap any word to translate
Touch a word or phrase to see it in your language instantly — no dictionary, no leaving the page.
Audio narration & pronunciation
Listen to clear, natural narration and read along to train your ear as well as your eye.
Vocabulary from your own reading
Save the words you meet; they become flashcards built from the books you actually read.
Questions
Learning English by reading
Reading exposes you to real grammar, vocabulary and phrasing in context — far more memorably than word lists. With instant translation and audio on every page, you stay in the story instead of stalling on unknown words, which is what builds fluency.
Choose a book one notch above where you feel comfortable: B1 if you read everyday English, B2 if you can follow longer articles, C1 for literary prose. You can always tap words you don’t know — a little stretch is exactly how you level up.
Sample chapters are free to read with no account. To read a full book — with tap-to-translate, audio narration and saved progress — you start your trial at quiz.nikmas.studio.
Not for sample chapters — they open with no signup. To read a whole book you start your trial at quiz.nikmas.studio, which keeps your vocabulary and place across devices.