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 C1PoetryThe Rubáiyát of a Persian KittenExplore whimsical verses that blend charm and humor through the eyes of a Persian kitten, inviting readers into a playful poetic world filled with delightful observations and gentl…
Level C1FantasyThe Ruby of KishmoorA notorious pirate’s daring capture of a queen and a legendary ruby sets off a deadly chase for a priceless treasure, as surviving crew members vie for the secret hiding place of t…
Level C1AdventureThe Ruby Sword: A Romance of BaluchistanA lone traveler treks through the harsh, desolate mountain passes of Baluchistan, facing relentless heat, rugged terrain, and looming storms.
Level C1ClassicsThe RubiconIn the quiet Wiltshire town of Hayes, old family rivalries simmer beneath the surface as Eva returns from a tedious visit, stirring the tranquil summer days with subtle tensions an…
Level C1PoetryThe Rubaiyat of Omar KhayyamExplore the life and legacy of Omar Khayyam, a Persian astronomer-poet whose friendship with powerful figures and deep pursuit of knowledge shaped a remarkable era of science, poet…
Level C1ClassicsThe Roycroft Dictionary, Concocted by Ali Baba and the Bunch on Rainy Days.Dive into a witty and satirical dictionary that redefines common words with sharp humor and unexpected insights, exposing the quirks and contradictions of society through playful,…
Level C1HistoricalThe Royal Regiment, and Other NovelettesA loyal officer races against time to reach his ailing father at their ancestral Scottish home, Ardgowrie, where history and honor intertwine amid looming conflict and family secre…
Level C1RomanceThe Royal Pawn of Venice: A Romance of CyprusA young Venetian noblewoman becomes the object of a powerful Cyprian king’s affection, setting the stage for a tale of political intrigue, romance, and competing dynasties in the s…
Level C1RomanceThe Royal Life Guard; or, the flight of the royal family.: A historical romance of the suppression of the French monarchyAs revolution shakes France, King Louis XVI struggles to preserve his fading monarchy amid political intrigue and betrayal.
Level C1RomanceThe Royal End: A RomanceIn moonlit Venice, Lucilla Dor’s charming allure captivates Balzatore, igniting a delicate game of desire and restraint.
Level C1PoetryThe Rowley PoemsExplore the life of a brilliant, restless boy whose hunger for knowledge and mysterious parchments lead him to create imaginative verse and forge a legacy shrouded in intrigue and…
Level C1AdventureThe Rover's Secret: A Tale of the Pirate Cays and Lagoons of CubaA solitary artist's distant affection and mysterious family unhappiness shadow a boy's childhood, hinting at hidden secrets beneath their quiet London life.
Level C1HistoricalThe RoverA battle-hardened master-gunner returns to Toulon with a prize ship after months evading English cruisers, navigating the turbulent seas and revolutionary politics of his era.
Level C1RomanceThe Round-Up: A Romance of Arizona; Novelized from Edmund Day's MelodramaA lone prospector treks through the harsh Arizona borderlands, discovering ancient forts and hidden signs amid blazing cacti and rocky trails.
Level C1HistoricalThe Rough RoadDoggie Trevor, a pampered man ill-prepared for war, faces the brutal reality of the Great War with no heroic glory, only survival.
Level C1ClassicsThe Rosery FolkIn a lush garden where temptation and trust intertwine, an old gardener’s confession sparks a mystery over missing grapes that threatens the harmony of Sir James Scarlett's estate.
Level C1PoetryThe Rose-JarImmerse yourself in a collection of evocative poems that reflect on love, memory, nature, and the passage of time, each verse capturing fleeting moments and deep emotions with haun…
Level C1AdventureThe Rose of Paradise: Being a detailed account of certain adventures that happened to captain John Mackra, in connection with the famous pirate, Edward England, in the year 1720, off the Island of Juanna in the Mozambique Channel; writ by himself, and now for the first time publishedAn East India Company captain embarks on a perilous mission to the island of Juanna, entrusted with secret orders and vast sums of money.
Level C1AdventureThe Rose in the RingUnder a relentless spring storm, three weary men trek a treacherous mountain road in post-war Virginia, guided by a mysterious tall man whose mission defies delay.
Level C1FantasyThe Rose and the RingIn a whimsical kingdom where royal breakfasts spark intrigue, a charming prince and a magical ring stir up mischief, rivalry, and unexpected adventures in a tale filled with fairie…
Level C1RomanceThe RosaryIn the serene English estate of Overdene, the spirited Duchess of Meldrum transforms her grief into lively gatherings, weaving humor, hospitality, and eccentric charm into the fabr…
Level C1MysteryThe Root of All EvilIn a fading rural village, two sisters face harsh realities on their struggling family farm—one fiercely determined and the other tenderly loving—while secrets and ambitions stir b…
Level C1MysteryThe Room with the TasselsA spirited debate over spiritualism and the supernatural unfolds among friends in a New York parlor, setting the stage for a mysterious exploration of haunted houses and otherworld…
Level C1MysteryThe Room in the Dragon VolantIn the aftermath of Napoleon's fall, an English traveler encounters a mysterious noblewoman veiled in black aboard a distressed carriage, sparking intrigue amid whispers of ancient…
Level C1RomanceThe Romaunce of the Sowdone of Babylone and of Ferumbras His Sone Who Conquerede RomeAmidst the legendary exploits of Charlemagne, a fierce Saracen warrior named Fierabras challenges the valor of France’s greatest knights, igniting a saga of combat, honor, and myst…
Level C1AdventureThe Romany RyeWaking to find a damaged chaise and a sleeping postillion, a resourceful traveler forges a vital linch-pin by the campfire, blending skill and determination in this rugged adventur…
Level C1HistoricalThe Romantic Scottish Ballads: Their Epoch and AuthorshipExplore the mysterious origins and authorship of Scotland's romantic ballads, tracing their disputed history from ancient tradition to modern adaptations, and uncover the enduring…
Level C1RomanceThe Romantic Adventures of a MilkmaidIn a misty May morning, a young milkmaid named Margery navigates her rural world with quiet determination, balancing simple chores and secret desires in the shadow of an old countr…
Level C1RomanceThe RomanticCaught between passion and societal constraints, Charlotte Redhead navigates a secret love fraught with longing, fear, and the hope for reckless abandon.
Level C1RomanceThe Romancers: A Comedy in Three ActsTwo young lovers defy their feuding families by secretly meeting and sharing whispered dreams beyond a vine-covered wall, channeling the passion and peril of Romeo and Juliet in a…
Level C1AdventureThe Romance of the WoodsA restless soul, caught between worlds, must choose a secluded place to inhabit as a spiritual essence—immersed in nature’s untouched beauty, far from human chaos.
Level C1ClassicsThe Romance of the Milky Way, and Other Studies & StoriesExplore a journey through vivid essays and stories that unveil the author's quest for artistic expression, cultural insight, and the elusive emotions that shape human experience ac…
Level C1HistoricalThe Romance of the HaremEnter a world of ancient kingdoms and royal intrigue in the "Kingdom of the Free," where the rich tapestry of Siamese culture, language, and history unfolds through the lives and s…
Level C1MysteryThe Romance of the Forest, interspersed with some pieces of poetry.Fleeing disgrace and ruin, Pierre de la Motte and his family seek refuge far from Paris, only to find themselves stranded on a dark, desolate heath where a solitary light promises…
Level C1ClassicsThe Romance of the CommonplaceExplore a lively philosophy that finds wonder in everyday moments, offering playful insights and practical wisdom for navigating middle age with enthusiasm, humor, and a fresh pers…
Level C1ClassicsThe Romance of the CoastA secluded colony of skilled pilots guards a treacherous north-country river, their unique dialect and traditions setting them apart.
Level C1ClassicsThe Romance of the Canoness: A Life-HistoryIn a quiet provincial town shadowed by melancholy, a visitor uncovers the serene charm and hidden stories of a noblewoman's life within a unique religious community where freedom a…
Level C1RomanceThe Romance of an Old FoolAn aging gentleman reflects on his quiet country life, his unexpected inheritance, and the peculiar companionship of a struggling novelist, all while navigating the delicate prospe…
Level C1ClassicsThe Romance of a ShopFour sisters face sudden loss and hardship, transforming their family’s glass conservatory into a photography studio to forge a new future.
Level C1HistoricalThe Romance of a Princess: A Comedy; and Other PoemsIn a richly imagined medieval world, Princess Emma navigates courtly intrigue, ancient legends, and the passage of time, revealing the enduring power of myth and love amid the shif…
Level C1ClassicsThe Romance of a Poor Young Man: A Drama Adapted from the French of Octave FeuilletIn a world of fading fortunes and shattered pride, a young marquis struggles to maintain dignity amid poverty and hardship.
Level C1RomanceThe Romance of a Poor Young ManCaught between the harsh realities of poverty and the tender stirrings of love, a young man navigates society’s challenges with charm and resilience.
Level C1AdventureThe Romance of a Mummy and Egypt: The Works of Theophile Gautier, Volume 5In the shadow of ancient Thebes, a determined scholar and a noble Englishman seek an untouched tomb in the Valley of the Kings, uncovering secrets of Egypt’s mysterious past intert…![Cover of The Romance of Zion Chapel [3d ed.] by Richard Le Gallienne](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6h8hapmtvc73csme30.webp)
Level C1RomanceThe Romance of Zion Chapel [3d ed.]In the soot-stained streets around a humble chapel called New Zion, a spirited young pastor with a calling beyond the cotton office stirs the quiet lives of a provincial town.
Level C1HistoricalThe Romance of War; or, The Highlanders in Spain, Volume 3 (of 3)Amidst the turmoil of war in Spain, a Highland officer faces a deadly duel fueled by honor, love, and bitter insults, while the shadow of battle looms over friendships and family l…
Level C1AdventureThe Romance of War; or, The Highlanders in Spain, Volume 2 (of 3)Amid the fiery battles of Spain, a Scottish regiment faces daring raids, shattered cities, and fierce camaraderie, while old loyalties and hidden tensions simmer beneath the clash…
Level C1RomanceThe Romance of War; or, The Highlanders in Spain, Volume 1 (of 3)Amidst a bitter Highland feud, rival clans find their lives entwined with the valor and romance of war as brave Scottish soldiers join the fierce battles in Spain.
Level C1AdventureThe Romance of War; or, The Highlanders in France and Belgium, A Sequel to the Highlanders in SpainAmid the final days of the Peninsular War, the fiercely proud Highlanders await orders to return home, only to be drawn into fresh battles across France and Belgium.
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.