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 C1AdventureThe Red TavernAmidst the tense night before battle, a young knight navigates intrigue and danger in the Earl of Richmond's camp, where whispered plans and mysterious messengers foreshadow a pivo…
Level C1MysteryThe Red SymbolA special correspondent is abruptly summoned to St.
Level C1MysteryThe Red SealIn a bustling police court, Helen McIntyre accuses a man of house-breaking, thrusting her into a tense legal battle intertwined with high society intrigue and hidden motives.
Level C1HistoricalThe Red SaintAmidst the brewing Barons’ War, Denise of the Hermitage stands as a mysterious figure in a sacred woodland, where political unrest and ancient rituals intertwine.
Level C1AdventureThe Red Rover: A TaleAmid the bustling American seas, a once-thriving port hides tales of maritime adventure and shifting fortunes.
Level C1MysteryThe Red RoomIn early 1907 London, a mysterious man with a secretive agenda inspects a new German tyre, setting off a chain of strange events that pull an unsuspecting garage owner into a web o…
Level C1ClassicsThe Red RoomAmid the bustling streets and serene gardens of Stockholm, a young man wrestles with hope and defiance against the weight of his past and the challenges of his present.
Level C1ClassicsThe Red RoomA skeptical man accepts a chilling challenge to spend a night alone in the notorious Red Room, where eerie custodians and ancient fears linger.
Level C1AdventureThe Red River Half-Breed: A Tale of the Wild North-WestAmid the towering peaks and icy wilderness of the Northern Rockies, two daring men undertake a perilous journey across uncharted terrain where nature’s grandeur and danger collide.
Level C1MysteryThe Red Rat's DaughterAmid immense wealth and high society, John Grantham Browne navigates a world of luxury and suspicion, unaware that unexpected dangers and mysteries lie in wait to challenge his for…
Level C1HistoricalThe Red PlanetIn a quiet country town haunted by war's scars, a paralyzed veteran and his fiercely loyal sergeant navigate secrets and loyalties as dark events unfold around Sir Anthony and Lady…
Level C1MysteryThe Red Pirogue: A Tale of Adventure in the Canadian WildsA mysterious red pirogue appears caught in the river’s net stakes, harboring an enigmatic girl with a letter of introduction — sparking young Ben O’Dell’s curiosity and drawing him…
Level C1FantasyThe Red OneA fevered explorer pursues a mysterious, otherworldly sound echoing through a remote jungle, confronting danger, madness, and cosmic secrets beyond human understanding.
Level C1MysteryThe Red Mouse: A Mystery RomanceAmidst high society's glittering facade, Miriam Challoner grapples with her husband's reckless descent and the whispers that threaten her reputation.
Level C1AdventureThe Red Moccasins: A StoryIn the untamed wilderness of early Kentucky, young Sprigg Whitney grows up wild and free, raised by pioneers surrounded by dense forests and lurking dangers.
Level C1AdventureThe Red Man's Revenge: A Tale of The Red River FloodIn a remote Canadian frontier settlement, the fiery Elsie Ravenshaw and her rugged family face the challenges of wilderness life and a sudden shooting contest among the colony's be…
Level C1MysteryThe Red Lottery TicketTwo young men navigating Parisian society seek wealthy brides to escape their precarious futures, but a mysterious encounter on a crowded bridge hints at secrets and danger that co…
Level C1PhilosophyThe Red Light of Mars; or, A Day in the Life of the Devil: A Philosophical ComedyA witty philosophical comedy unravels the life and times of the devil, blending sharp humor with keen observations on human nature and society.
Level C1MysteryThe Red InnAt a lively Parisian dinner, a German guest captivates the company with a mysterious tale, while one man's unsettling expression hints at dark secrets beneath the surface.
Level C1ClassicsThe Red House Mystery: The Piccadilly NovelsPerched atop a bleak hill, the ominous Red House harbors dark secrets beneath its gloomy exterior, while its inhabitants grapple with sorrow, suspicion, and a haunting atmosphere t…
Level C1HistoricalThe Red Hand of UlsterAn American millionaire dazzles London society with extravagant parties, but soon grows restless and vanishes, leaving his private secretary caught in a web of intrigue.
Level C1Children'sThe Red Fairy BookA dreamy cow-boy known as the Star Gazer sets out from his village to the castle of Beloeil, where twelve mysterious princesses wear out their shoes every night despite locked door…
Level C1RomanceThe Red DerelictA man haunted by a troubled past finds unexpected peace in the serene English countryside, but his solitude is shattered by mysterious cries and the threat of a wild escape.
Level C1HistoricalThe Red Debt: Echoes from KentuckyIn the rugged Kentucky highlands, a fierce feud simmers between the mountain clans of Cap Lutts and Sap McGill, each fighting for survival amid untamed wilderness and deep-rooted h…
Level C1HistoricalThe Red Cross BargeIn the tense aftermath of a French town's capture during World War I, a German Red Cross surgeon finds himself isolated from boastful young officers as he confronts the grim realit…
Level C1RomanceThe Red Court Farm: A Novel (Vol. 2 of 2)At a select London boarding school, Mary Anne Thornycroft navigates the challenges of adolescence alongside classmates from varied backgrounds, while the shadows of family illness…
Level C1HistoricalThe Red City: A Novel of the Second Administration of President WashingtonAmid the dawn of America’s second presidential term, a French émigré and his ailing mother arrive by sea, confronting a new life filled with hope and uncertainty along the young na…
Level C1MysteryThe Red ChancellorIn a tense Eastern European court ruled by the formidable Chancellor Rallenstein, a restless English traveler stumbles into a web of high treason, political intrigue, and forbidden…
Level C1MysteryThe Red BicycleIn a mist-shrouded seaside parish, a sinister mansion named Maranatha looms with a dark reputation, stirring whispers and fear among locals.
Level C1RomanceThe Red AcornAs war erupts, Rachel Bond’s peaceful June day shatters with Harry Glen’s heartfelt declaration before he departs for battle, entwining love and ambition amid the trials faced by t…
Level C1RomanceThe Rector of St. Mark'sA devoted young rector battles his feelings for Anna Ruthven, the village choir leader, as society schemes to introduce her to a wealthy suitor.
Level C1ClassicsThe RectorIn a genteel town where society thrives on tradition, the arrival of a mysterious new Rector stirs curiosity and speculation about his true beliefs and intentions, challenging the…
Level C1ClassicsThe Recruiting OfficerIn a bustling Shrewsbury market, a charismatic sergeant recruits men for the king’s army with wit and humor, navigating the lively characters and challenges of military life in thi…
Level C1HistoricalThe RecruitAs revolutionary turmoil grips Carentan in 1793, Madame de Dey navigates the dangerous shifting alliances between nobles and new powers while fiercely protecting the future of her…
Level C1ClassicsThe Recreations of a Country ParsonA country parson reflects on the unexpected challenges and quiet joys of embracing a life and place assigned by Providence, exploring the moral effort to find contentment and purpo…
Level C1ClassicsThe Record of Nicholas Freydon: An AutobiographyA restless soul flees London seeking peace of mind, only to confront the tangled memories of a life lived in pursuit of understanding.
Level C1HistoricalThe Recollections of Geoffrey HamlynAmid the scorching Australian summer of 1857, Geoffrey Hamlyn gathers with friends to recount the intertwined histories of the Buckley, Thornton, and Brentwood families, promising…
Level C1HistoricalThe ReckoningAmid the turmoil of the American Revolution, the great landed families of northern New York navigate loyalty, betrayal, and the harsh realities of war.
Level C1AdventureThe Recipe for DiamondsTrapped by storms in a remote Norwegian wilderness, a hunter and his companion face harsh elements and treacherous terrain as they struggle to return home, surviving on a prized el…
Level C1Children'sThe Rebellion of MargaretIn a sprawling estate overshadowed by towering elms, young Margaret Anstruther faces the pressures of society and family expectations while yearning for freedom and adventure beyon…
Level C1HistoricalThe Rebellion in the Cevennes, an Historical Novel. Vol. I.Amidst brutal persecution and religious fanaticism, Protestant peasants in the Cevennes rise up against the oppressive forces of Louis XIV, sparking a fierce rebellion fueled by fa…
Level C1AdventureThe Rebel Chief: A Tale of Guerilla LifeIn the rugged mountain defiles of Mexico, two heavily armed horsemen—a seasoned rebel and a young European count—embark on a perilous journey through breathtaking landscapes, where…
Level C1RomanceThe Reason WhyA wealthy financier offers a debt-ridden nobleman a tempting proposal: marry his mysterious widow niece and erase all his financial burdens.
Level C1ClassicsThe Real Thing and Other TalesA gentleman and a lady arrive shyly at an artist’s studio, hoping to become models for illustrations rather than formal portraits.
Level C1Science FictionThe Real ThingIn a future where perfect imitations blur the line between real and fake, collectors treasure flawless replicas of art, money, and experiences.
Level C1HistoricalThe Real Shelley. New Views of the Poet's Life. Vol. 2 (of 2)Explore the intricate life of a revolutionary poet through detailed examination of his connections, letters, and the era’s intellectual currents, revealing new perspectives on his…
Level C1HistoricalThe Real Shelley. New Views of the Poet's Life. Vol. 1 (of 2)Uncover the truth behind the famed poet’s life as this revealing study separates fact from the romanticized myths crafted by admirers, family, and social theorists, exposing the re…
Level C1PoetryThe Real Robert BurnsDiscover the true character of Robert Burns beyond gossip and myth, revealing his sincere devotion to religion, democracy, and human brotherhood through his poetry and letters, cha…
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.