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 C1MysteryRoom 13Imprisoned and branded a mug, Johnny Gray endures harsh days in a grim Dartmoor prison, surrounded by hardened criminals and whispers of a master forger known as young Legge.
Level C1HistoricalRookwoodIn a world of intrigue and romance, daring exploits unfold against the backdrop of historic England, where secrets and legends intertwine.
HistoricalRookie rhymes, by the men of the 1st and 2nd provisional training regiments, Plattsburg, New YorkExperience the raw emotions and camaraderie of military training through spirited poems and songs that capture the hopes, hardships, and humor of rookie soldiers preparing for war…
Level B2AdventureRonicky DooneA desperate rider arrives in town, racing against time to reach Stillwater within three hours—but the only horse fast enough belongs to the elusive Ronicky Doone, a man whose name…
Level C1Science FictionRondah; or, thirty-three years in a starLost in a fierce storm, four travelers are swept from Earth to a volcanic star inhabited by mysterious bird-people who hibernate through a twenty-year winter.
Level C1ClassicsRonald and I; or, Studies from LifeIn a windswept coastal estate shadowed by family rivalries and the relentless Atlantic, two brothers navigate inheritance, loyalty, and the haunting solitude of Broadwater.
Level C1AdventureRonald Morton; or, the Fire Ships: A Story of the Last Naval WarA Spanish man-of-war navigates the treacherous northern seas near Shetland, where ancestral ties and historic shipwrecks stir intrigue.
Level C1HistoricalRomolaIn the vibrant heart of Renaissance Florence, witness a city alive with ambition, art, and the timeless struggles of its people as a returning spirit observes a world both familiar…
Level C1RomanceRomantic legends of SpainDive into haunting tales woven with passion and mystery along the banks of the Guadalquivir, where a young poet’s dreams and legends of Spain intertwine in a world of romance and w…
Level C1PoetryRomantic Ballads, Translated from the Danish; and Miscellaneous PiecesVivid translations of ancient Danish and Scandinavian ballads evoke a world of fierce warriors, haunting elves, and mythical creatures, capturing the raw spirit and barbaric grande…
Level C1HistoricalRomances of the old town of EdinburghIn the shadowed alleys of old Edinburgh, a royalist love triangle unfolds amid political turmoil and secret gardens.![Cover of Romances of Old Japan: Rendered into English from Japanese Sources by Yei Theodora [Translator] Ozaki](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dabm21g9638s73a2uavg.webp)
Level C1HistoricalRomances of Old Japan: Rendered into English from Japanese SourcesDive into ancient Japan's world of honor and vengeance, where samurai loyalty clashes with deadly rivalry, and spirits of the past stir in haunting tales of love, betrayal, and the…
Level C1HistoricalRomance: Two LecturesExplore the rich tapestry of English literature and history from 1783 to 1832, as the lectures dissect the Romantic Revival and challenge traditional labels, revealing the complex…
Level C1ClassicsRomance of California Life: Illustrated by Pacific Slope Stories, Thrilling, Pathetic and HumorousIn a rugged mining camp fiercely resisting the arrival of a schoolteacher, tensions simmer among miners who value their hard-won freedoms and rough ways, setting the stage for a cl…
Level C1MysteryRomance IslandA sudden inheritance transforms a struggling journalist into a yacht owner, thrusting him into a world of wealth and mystery.
Level C1AdventureRomanceA young man leaves his sheltered life in Kent to seek adventure and romance on the sea, drawn into a world of exotic characters and uncharted possibilities in Jamaica.![Cover of Rollo's Philosophy [Fire] by Jacob Abbott](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dafa4uda8p2c739isnt0.webp)
Level B2Children'sRollo's Philosophy [Fire]A curious boy named Rollo learns the secrets of fire as he watches Jonas carefully cover burning embers to create a slow, lasting combustion.
Level B2AdventureRollo's MuseumA young boy, ordered to rest his eyes during summer vacation, finds himself drawn into an unexpected adventure helping dig a canal and exploring the natural world around his home.
Level B2AdventureRollo on the RhineJourney along the majestic Rhine through rich vineyards, ancient castles, and picturesque villages as a young traveler explores the storied landscapes and vibrant culture of centra…
Level B2AdventureRollo on the AtlanticA young boy embarks on a daring solo voyage across the Atlantic with his little sister to reunite with their ailing parents in Europe.
Level B1Children'sRollo in the WoodsA curious boy named Rollo learns patience and responsibility when he must finish his reading before joining Jonas to clear land in the woods.
Level B2AdventureRollo in SwitzerlandEager to explore the majestic Swiss mountains, young Rollo embarks on a thrilling adventure with his uncle, navigating the complex passport system and learning the challenges of in…
Level B1AdventureRollo in ScotlandA spirited boy named Waldron and his new friend Rollo embark on a Scottish adventure aboard a steamer, exploring bustling shipyards and the wonders of steamship construction along…
Level B2AdventureRollo in RomeJourney through Italy with Rollo and his uncle as they navigate the challenges of travel by diligence, encountering unfamiliar customs, regulations, and the eerie Pontine Marshes e…
Level B2AdventureRollo in ParisYoung Rollo and his cousin Jennie embark on a carefully planned journey from London to Paris, navigating the complexities of travel routes, steamers, and tides, all while their ail…
Level B2AdventureRollo in NaplesJoin young Rollo as he travels through picturesque Italy with a trusty vetturino, a carriage owner who manages every detail from routes to lodging, offering a unique glimpse into 1…
Level B2AdventureRollo in LondonA young traveler explores the sprawling twin cities of London, uncovering the rich history and vibrant contrasts between the ancient commercial heart and the regal political West E…
Level B2AdventureRollo in HollandExplore the remarkable, low-lying land of Holland, where vast dikes and ingenious windmills battle the constant threat of the sea, revealing a captivating tale of human innovation…
Level B2AdventureRollo in GenevaExplore the stunning city of Geneva, nestled between France and Switzerland, as you journey through its breathtaking lake, majestic mountains, and historic roads that have welcomed…
Level B2Children'sRollo at WorkA young boy named Rollo learns valuable lessons about patience, responsibility, and the importance of training, all while exploring the wonders of his garden and meeting a lively c…
Level B2Children'sRollo at Play; Or, Safe AmusementsJoin young Rollo as he learns patience, responsibility, and the joys of nature through simple, wholesome adventures in the woods, guided by gentle lessons and thoughtful play.
Level B2Children'sRollo Learning to ReadA young boy named Rollo embarks on the challenging journey of learning to read, guided patiently by his sister Mary and encouraged by his father.
Level C1ClassicsRolling StonesStep into the quirky world of a struggling Texas newspaper, where a sharp-witted editor battles for the mayor’s office through biting satire, chaotic ads, and small-town politics,…
Level B1AdventureRolf in the WoodsA young frontiersman navigates the challenges and wonders of early 19th-century wilderness life, learning survival, scouting, and the complexities of war and peace during a pivotal…
Level C1MysteryRoland Yorke: A Sequel to "The Channings"Under the eerie glow of a bright moon, a solemn crowd gathers in a cathedral town to witness the burial of a mysterious gentleman in a hastily dug grave at a crossroads—sparking wh…
Level C1ClassicsRoland Graeme: Knight. A Novel of Our TimeA young man named Roland Graeme unexpectedly visits a renowned preacher struggling with the pressure to inspire and maintain his reputation.
Level C1ClassicsRoland Cashel, Volume II (of II)Roland Cashel returns to a grand gathering only to find himself politically ousted and socially challenged, sparking intrigue and rivalry among the guests.
Level C1AdventureRoland Cashel, Volume I (of II)In a sun-drenched villa by the Lake of Como, a Northern hero navigates a world of wild passion, fierce rivalries, and thrilling adventures, where climate and character clash in a t…
Level C1ClassicsRoister Doister: Written, probably also represented, before 1553. Carefully edited from the unique copy, now at Eton CollegeIn a lively Tudor-era comedy, the boastful Ralph Roister Doister pursues the witty widow Dame Custance, sparking a merry clash of suitors, servants, and schemes over two chaotic da…
Level B2MysteryRogues' HavenTwo boys caught poaching face a dangerous chase and an unexpected collision with a mysterious gentleman, Mr.
Level B2MysteryRogues and VagabondsStranded on a calm yet doomed ship far from help, survivors of the Bon Espoir face haunting isolation and a deadly secret as they await rescue that may never come.
Level C1HistoricalRoger the ranger: A story of border life among the IndiansA young hunter defies his family’s wishes to embrace a life among the Native Americans, igniting old rivalries and a haunting prophecy that threatens to tear the land apart.
Level C1AdventureRoger Willoughby: A Story of the Times of BenbowA young gentleman obsessed with navigation dreams of sailing to distant, mysterious lands even as friends warn of fanciful tales and looming dangers.
Level B2ClassicsRoger TrewinionIn rugged Cornwall, a mysterious old house with a feudal tower beckons two travelers exploring a coast rich in forgotten legends and fading superstitions.
Level C1HistoricalRoger Kyffin's WardAmid the 1797 London panic, merchants, nobles, and commoners swarm the Bank of England and Royal Exchange, gripped by rumors of rebellion, mutiny, and financial collapse.
Level C1Children'sRoger Ingleton, MinorSnow blankets Maxfield Manor as a young tutor awaits a summons to tend to the ailing master, Roger Ingleton.
Level B2HistoricalRoger Davis, LoyalistAs war erupts near Boston, sixteen-year-old Roger Davis faces the loss of his father and the shattering of his Loyalist family’s world, forcing him to confront fierce new responsib…
Level B2HistoricalRodney, the PartisanAs tensions rise on the eve of the Civil War, young Rodney Gray pledges unwavering loyalty to the Southern cause, donning his gray uniform with pride despite the looming conflict a…
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.