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 B2ClassicsRussian Silhouettes: More Stories of Russian LifeAmid a snowy Russian winter, schoolboys Volodia and his somber friend Tchetchevitsin arrive home, their minds already wandering far beyond the festive chaos—plotting daring journey…
Level C2PoetryRussian LyricsImmerse yourself in the passionate and varied voices of Russia’s poets, from Cossack warriors to peasants, lovers, and patriots, as their stirring songs and verses come alive in vi…
Level C1ClassicsRuskin RelicsStep into the world of a passionate art teacher whose unconventional methods challenge pupils to see beyond mere technique, revealing the deeper worship and faithfulness to nature…
Level C1PoetryRural Tales, Ballads, and SongsStep into the heart of rural England where village life, simple joys, and timeless nature paint vivid scenes through ballads and tales.
Level B2Children'sRupert's AmbitionA hardworking sixteen-year-old boy faces sudden unemployment during tough economic times, threatening the fragile support of his ailing family.
Level C1AdventureRupert of Hentzau: From The Memoirs of Fritz Von Tarlenheim: Sequel to The Prisoner of ZendaIn a kingdom still shadowed by past conspiracies, a cunning exile plots to reclaim his lost power through espionage and revenge, threatening the fragile peace and the secrets that…
Level C1ClassicsRupert GodwinIn a tranquil Hampshire manor, the seafaring Captain Westford’s family basks in idyllic happiness, yet beneath the sunlit beauty lies a looming shadow as duty calls him away, threa…
Level C1AdventureRunnymede and Lincoln FairAmid the turbulent times of 13th-century England, Oliver Icingla, descendant of Saxon chiefs, navigates the fierce political struggles surrounding Magna Carta, revealing the birth…
Level B2Children'sRunning to Waste: The Story of a TomboyA spirited tomboy and her less agile brother turn mischievous orchard raids into thrilling adventures, defying the expectations of their staid coastal town.
Level C1MysteryRunning the Gauntlet: A NovelIn the bustling heart of London’s legal world, two brothers run a unique law firm: one caters to the city’s elite, the other defends the desperate criminals lurking in shadowy cour…
Level C1ClassicsRunning WaterA restless mother and her enigmatic daughter travel across Europe by night, caught in a delicate dance of secrets and unspoken fears.
Level B2AdventureRunning FoxA determined young Delaware warrior seeks to prove his courage by uncovering the mysterious power of a deadly Mohawk war-leader, embarking on a perilous journey into enemy territor…
Level C1AdventureRung Ho! A NovelIn a restless colonial city simmering with tension, a determined young woman rides alone through a hostile crowd, shadowed by a mysterious protector with a dangerous past.
Level C1MysteryRun to Earth: A NovelIn the shadowy taverns of 19th-century London’s Ratcliff Highway, a seasoned sea captain and his cunning clerk navigate perilous trade and hidden dangers.
Level C1FantasyRumpty-Dudget's Tower: A Fairy TaleA mischievous dwarf named Rumpty-Dudget lives alone in a gray tower near a magical forest bordering Fairy Land, where three royal siblings discover hidden wonders beyond their pala…
Level C1ClassicsRulers of kings: A novelAn American heir inherits immense wealth yet faces profound discouragement, his ambitions shaped by legends of great leaders.
Level C1HistoricalRule of the Monk; Or, Rome in the Nineteenth CenturyIn 19th-century Rome, amidst conspiracies, exile, and rebellion, a fierce struggle unfolds against the oppressive Papal rule.
ClassicsRule a Wife, and Have a Wife: Beaumont & Fletcher's Works (3 of 10)Two couples navigate love, deception, and power struggles in a lively mix of wit and intrigue.
Level B2AdventureRujub, the JugglerAmid the chaos of the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny in India, a young, fearful soldier confronts his deepest fears and uncovers the mysterious arts of Rujub, a juggler whose secret powers blen…
Level C1ClassicsRuggles of Red GapIn Paris, the Honourable George braces for a high-stakes poker night with brash Americans while his sharp-tongued brother demands answers about reckless gambling and romantic entan…
Level B2HistoricalRufus and Rose; Or, The Fortunes of Rough and ReadyA resourceful street boy, Rufus, rises from newsboy to Wall Street employee while protecting his sister Rose from their harmful stepfather.
Level C1ClassicsRue and RosesA deeply introspective German governess, burdened by family struggles and social isolation, finds her life transformed when a mysterious, enigmatic man ignites her passion and chal…
Level C1AdventureRudyard KiplingDive into an exploration of a writer who captures the heroic life of engineers, soldiers, and adventurers with literary craft and vivid realism, revealing the art behind tales of e…
Level B2HistoricalRudy and Babette; Or, The Capture of the Eagle's NestIn the breathtaking Swiss Alps, young Rudy navigates towering mountains, snowy glaciers, and deep valleys, guided by his loyal dog and clever cat as he discovers the wild beauty an…
Level C1ClassicsRudin: A NovelAn introspective young nobleman grapples with ideals and emotions in a world caught between tradition and modernity, revealing the complexities of love, society, and human nature t…
Level B2ClassicsRudder GrangeA newlywed couple struggles to find the perfect country home that’s affordable, well-located, and fully furnished—only to discover the challenges and absurdities of house hunting a…
Level C1PoetryRubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, and Salámán and Absál: Together with a Life of Edward Fitzgerald and an Essay on Persian Poetry by Ralph Waldo EmersonDelve into the translated verses of Omar Khayyám, brought to life through Edward FitzGerald’s poetic mastery, accompanied by insights into Persian poetry and the remarkable life of…
Level C1PoetryRubáiyát of Omar Khayyam, Rendered into English VerseExplore a timeless collection of Persian quatrains blending whimsical philosophy, skeptical inquiry, and celebration of life's fleeting pleasures, brought to life through a lyrical…
PoetryRubáiyát of Doc SifersExplore a charming collection of neighborly poems, prose sketches, and whimsical verses that capture the warmth and humor of everyday life through the eyes of Doc Sifers.
Level B2Children'sRuby: A Story of the Australian BushUnder the blazing Australian sun, young Ruby anxiously awaits her father's return on Christmas Day, navigating the challenges of bush life and the complexities of her stepmother's…
Level B2AdventureRuby at SchoolLeft to her own devices while her mother is ill, spirited Ruby concocts a daring plan to live alone in a makeshift playhouse, embracing adventure and mischief far beyond what anyon…
Level B2AdventureRuby Roland, the Girl Spy; or, Simon Kenton's ProtegeAmid the tense wilderness of old Kentucky, a skilled young hunter named Simon Kenton navigates dangerous territory alone, relying on sharp instincts and cunning to survive as he em…
Level B2ClassicsRuben and Ivy SênIn a world where society expects a noblewoman to remarry, Mrs.
Level C1HistoricalRoyal HighnessIn a somber capital city, a young lieutenant defies rigid military protocol by commanding unexpected respect from a decorated general, revealing the complex burdens of royal duty c…
Level B1AdventureRoy Blakeley: His StoryJoin Roy Blakeley and his lively Boy Scout troop as they navigate muddy adventures, spirited debates, and daring plans to collect books for soldiers and journey to Temple Camp aboa…
Level B1AdventureRoy Blakeley, PathfinderJoin a lively troop of boy scouts as they embark on a hundred-mile hike packed with humor, friendship, and adventure, navigating knots, campfires, and unexpected challenges from sm…
Level B1MysteryRoy Blakeley's Silver Fox PatrolA group of scouts discovers an old railroad car to transform into their secret meeting place, sparking their imaginations with mysterious secrets and thrilling adventures.
Level B1AdventureRoy Blakeley's Motor CaravanA spirited patrol is drawn into a daring adventure when a war veteran enlists their help to navigate a motor caravan across the country, tackling challenges from freight snarls to…
Level B1AdventureRoy Blakeley's Camp on WheelsIn a forgotten railroad town where the station burned down years ago, a boy scout patrol navigates the challenges of winter camping and unexpected changes, turning small-town adven…
Level B1AdventureRoy Blakeley's Adventures in CampA troop of resourceful scouts sets out on an adventure with a quirky, powerless house-boat to reach the famed Temple Camp by the Hudson.
Level C1RomanceRowena & Harold: A Romance in Rhyme of an Olden Time, of Hastyngs and NormanhurstIn a land of fierce feuds and forbidden love, a proud maiden defies her Norman father's will to follow her heart for a noble Saxon knight.
Level C1AdventureRowdy of the Cross LCaught in a relentless blizzard on unfamiliar prairie, a rugged cowboy and a lost schoolteacher must rely on each other to navigate the storm and find shelter, forging an uneasy al…
Level C1PhilosophyRousseau and RomanticismExplore the clash between Rousseau's emotional romanticism and the demands of human law, as a critical examination challenges naturalistic excesses and advocates for a modern, expe…
Level C1HistoricalRousseau (Volume 1 and 2)Follow the turbulent life and revolutionary ideas of Rousseau, whose writings on society, education, and government challenge the conventions of his time and ignite political and i…
Level C1AdventureRounding Cape Horn, and Other Sea StoriesBrave life-savers battle a fierce New England storm as a stranded brig struggles against deadly rocks and relentless seas.
Level C1HistoricalRoundabout to Boston (from Literary Friends and Acquaintance)A struggling writer in Venice during the American Civil War navigates literary rejection while forging connections with prominent Boston intellectuals and historians, capturing the…
Level C1ClassicsRoundabout PapersIn a sleepy, timeless town nestled among ancient walls and quiet streets, a young boy’s fascination with a mysterious book draws him away from the pastoral calm, hinting at the sti…
Level B2FantasyRound-about Rambles in Lands of Fact and FancyEmbark on whimsical journeys through forests, ancient cities, and skies, encountering curious creatures, mysterious wonders, and enchanting tales that blend fact with fantasy in de…
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.