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 C1HistoricalSaint Patrick: 1887In a gritty urban neighborhood where dance halls and missions collide, a Saint Patrick's Day festival emerges as a beacon of hope and unity amid tension, temptation, and cultural d…
Level C1RomanceSaint Michael: A RomanceAmid the awakening stir of spring, a noble family faces loss and the weight of inheritance in a secluded mountain castle, where secrets and legacies linger in the shadows of ancien…
Level C1HistoricalSaint JoanA fiercely determined village girl claims divine guidance to lead France against its enemies, challenging kings, generals, and churchmen alike with her unyielding spirit and revolu…
Level C1AdventureSaint Bartholomew's Eve: A Tale of the Huguenot WarsAmid the brutal religious wars of 16th-century France, a Huguenot landowner flees persecution and begins anew with fellow refugees in England.
Level C1ClassicsSaint Abe and His Seven Wives: A Tale of Salt Lake City, with a Bibliographical NoteIn the rugged West, Joe Wilson races past a haunted ranch known as Old Nick’s Gallop, where dark memories stir.
Level C1AdventureSailor Jack, the TraderCaught between duty and fear, Tom Randolph faces conscription amid the turmoil of the Civil War, struggling to protect his fellow Home Guards from harsh Confederate demands while g…
Level B2AdventureSail Ho! A Boy at SeaA young boy eagerly sets out to sea aboard the Burgh Castle, facing the thrills and dangers of life on a merchant ship.
Level C1PoetrySagittulae, Random VersesIn a spirited poetic lay, the battle over women's higher education unfolds within Cambridge's ancient halls, as determined ladies confront a staunch assembly of fellows defending t…
Level C1PoetrySaga of the oak, and other poemsExplore evocative poems that journey through nature, history, and remembrance—from the silent woods of early Cincinnati to tributes honoring visionary educators—each verse inviting…
Level C1RomanceSaga of Halfred the Sigskald: A Northern Tale of the Tenth CenturyIn a land where elves and legends mingle, Halfred, a fierce Viking and unmatched skald, sets sail on his enchanted ship, the Singing Swan, to win glory through battles and song acr…
Level C1AdventureSaddle and MocassinEmbark on a rugged journey through untamed Yellowstone Park alongside seasoned guides, elusive pack trains, and a fiery Mormon freighter, as the adventurers battle unforgiving terr…
Level C1ClassicsSacrificeBorn into a world of wealth and hidden anguish, young Lilla Delliver navigates the haunting legacy of her aristocratic parents’ tragic fate and the fragile emotions that shape her…
Level C1ClassicsSacred and Profane Love: A Novel in Three EpisodesA young woman trapped in a decaying Victorian household longs for a passionate love that will shatter her inherited calm and awaken her soul.
Level C2PhilosophySacred Books of the EastExplore the ancient spiritual hymns and sacred texts that reveal profound religious awe and timeless philosophical insights, from Vedic chants to the teachings of Buddha and the Ko…
Level C1HistoricalSac-Au-Dos: 1907A young man, freshly graduated and disillusioned with law, finds himself conscripted into the chaotic French army during the Franco-Prussian War, thrust into the raw confusion and…
Level C2PoetrySabbath-Breaking on the Canal: A PoemAmidst the bustling commerce along the canal, laborers toil even on the sacred Sabbath, risking spiritual peril in pursuit of wealth.
Level C1AdventureRídan the Devil, and Other Stories: 1899In a remote Samoan plantation, Rídan, feared as a sorcerer and outcast, struggles with brutal overseers and isolation.
Level C1GothicRutledgeA motherless girl leaves her beloved school and childhood friends, stepping into an uncertain future with a distant aunt and new cousins she barely knows.
PoetryRuthless Rhymes for Heartless HomesDarkly witty and sharply satirical poems expose the twisted dynamics of heartless homes, where family foibles and ironies unfold with ruthless humor and biting charm.
Level B2Science FictionRuth's Marriage in Mars: A Scientific NovelIn a mystical hilltop sanctuary blending ancient faiths and psychic visions, a mysterious princess finds healing and spiritual awakening among a royal family dedicated to soul deve…
Level C1ClassicsRuth Hall: A Domestic Tale of the Present TimeA young woman named Ruth Hall faces an uncertain future as she prepares to marry, reflecting on a childhood marked by loneliness, family indifference, and a longing for love.
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding on the St. Lawrence; Or, The Queer Old Man of the Thousand IslandsAt a vibrant wedding filled with flags and military honors, a spirited young woman finds herself drawn into the mysteries surrounding a quirky old man of the Thousand Islands, unve…
Level B1AdventureRuth Fielding on Cliff Island; Or, The Old Hunter's Treasure BoxWhen a devastating train wreck threatens their friend Jane Ann, Ruth and her companions race against time to uncover the truth and face unexpected dangers on Cliff Island.
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding of the Red Mill; Or, Jasper Parloe's SecretA determined young girl leaves her old home for the mysterious Red Mill, where secrets and new friendships await in the quiet town of Cheslow.
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding in the Red Cross; Or, Doing Her Best for Uncle SamAs young men rush to training camps during wartime, Ruth Fielding packs supplies for the Red Cross while grappling with fears for her friend’s twin brother and the uncertain toll o…
Level B1MysteryRuth Fielding in the Great Northwest; Or, The Indian Girl Star of the MoviesIn the rugged Northwest, Ruth Fielding and her friends navigate post-war challenges and lingering fears while enjoying a carefree car ride, but beneath their laughter lies a shadow…
Level B1AdventureRuth Fielding in Moving Pictures; Or, Helping the Dormitory FundRuth Fielding stumbles upon a lively outdoor film shoot while helping with a dormitory fund, sparking adventure and mystery amid the rolling fields and unexpected chases.
Level B1AdventureRuth Fielding in AlaskaIn the rugged Alaskan wilderness, Ruth Fielding faces threats from a vengeful rival aiming to sabotage her filmmaking dreams.
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding at the War Front; or, The Hunt for the Lost SoldierAmid the distant thunder of war and the roar of planes, a determined Red Cross worker navigates the tense front lines, driven by hope and duty.
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding at Snow Camp; Or, Lost in the BackwoodsWhen Ruth and her friends head to a remote winter camp deep in the backwoods, a thrilling adventure unfolds amid icy rivers, mysterious signs, and the looming presence of a fierce…
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding at Silver Ranch; Or, Schoolgirls Among the CowboysA spirited schoolgirl arrives at Silver Ranch, where East meets West in a clash of cowboys, automobiles, and new ideas.
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding at Lighthouse Point; or, Nita, the Girl CastawayAt Briarwood Hall, new member Helen Cameron is initiated into the secretive Sweetbriars, a sisterhood bound by sincerity and friendship.
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding at Golden PassAs Ruth Fielding prepares for the premiere of her daring new film, "Snowblind," an unexpected reunion with old friends turns a nervous night into a joyful celebration—yet the fickl…
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding at Briarwood Hall; or, Solving the Campus MysteryA bright young girl, Ruth Fielding, leaves her rural home to attend school at Briarwood Hall, where she soon finds herself entangled in a captivating campus mystery.
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding and the Gypsies; Or, The Missing Pearl NecklaceWhen a miller's errand goes mysteriously awry, quick-witted Ruth Fielding insists on rowing the dangerous river herself, setting off on a daring quest that may unravel the secrets…
Level B1MysteryRuth Fielding In the Saddle; Or, College Girls in the Land of GoldCollege girls Ruth, Helen, and Jennie embark on a daring horseback journey into the rugged Hualapai Range, blending friendship and adventure amidst the challenges of the wild land…
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding Homeward Bound; Or, A Red Cross Worker's Ocean PerilsA Red Cross worker and her friends reminisce over tea, dreaming of home while navigating the perils of war and secret missions in France.
Level B1AdventureRuth Fielding Down in Dixie; Or, Great Times in the Land of CottonTwo schoolgirls from Cheslow embark on a coastal voyage to Virginia, encountering colorful characters and new adventures along the way.
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding Down East; Or, The Hermit of Beach Plum PointAs a fierce summer storm brews over a quiet riverside mill, Ruth Fielding senses more than just bad weather—a mysterious presence lurks nearby.
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding At Sunrise Farm; Or, What Became of the Raby OrphansAt Briarwood Hall, Ruth Fielding navigates secret societies, schoolyard friendships, and mysterious adventures as she uncovers the challenges of boarding school life and the bonds…
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding At College; or, The Missing Examination PapersAs Ruth Fielding prepares to leave home for college, a mysterious adrift boat and the promise of missing examination papers set the stage for a thrilling puzzle.
Level B2Children'sRuth Erskine's SonErskine Burnham, caught between the legacies of his remarkable family, faces the challenges of growing up under the shadows of loss and expectation.
Level C1Children'sRuth Erskine's CrossesA young woman faces the challenge of welcoming a new, long-absent sister into her family while grappling with feelings of confusion, resentment, and duty.
Level B2Children'sRuth ArnoldA thoughtful country girl dreams of something beyond her repetitive school lessons and daily farm chores, longing for excitement and growth amidst the familiar rhythms of rural lif…
Level C1ClassicsRuthIn a fading Tudor town, Ruth Hilton endures grueling nights as a dressmaker’s apprentice, caught between the harsh realities of her laborious world and the chains of social convent…
Level B2RomanceRustlers beware!A young cattleman joins a notorious gang led by hardened killers on a secretive and dangerous mission across Wyoming, unsure if the cause is noble or sinister.
Level C1HistoricalRussian literatureExplore the vibrant world of 19th-century Russian literature, where poetry, novels, and drama intertwine with social and political ideals, revealing the nation's unique voice amid…
Level C1ClassicsRussian essays and storiesExplore a nuanced view of Russia through essays and stories that challenge simplistic political labels, revealing the complex humanity behind revolutionary and reactionary divides.
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.