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 B2HistoricalRodney, the OverseerAmid the turmoil of the Civil War, Rodney Gray abandons his military studies to join a fiercely independent Southern cavalry company, navigating divided loyalties and chaotic skirm…
Level C1HistoricalRodney StoneStep back to early 19th-century England through the eyes of Rodney Stone, a young man connected to naval heroes and London’s boxing rings, as he navigates a world of historic battl…
Level C1ClassicsRodman the Keeper: Southern SketchesA former Union officer now tends a vast Southern national cemetery, embodying the lingering bitterness and sorrow of a divided land.
Level C1AdventureRodman the Boatsteerer, and Other Stories: 1898Tensions rise aboard the whaler Shawnee as a brutal captain’s harsh discipline sparks near-mutiny during a desperate hunt for sperm whales in the Pacific.
Level C2HistoricalRoderick, the last of the GothsIn the shadowed dawn of a fading empire, a lone Gothic prince wrestles with destiny, penance, and the relentless march of history.
Level C1ClassicsRoderick HudsonA wealthy young man grapples with his sense of purpose and charity during a visit to his clever, resilient cousin, a widow managing life’s hardships with wit and pride.
Level C1ClassicsRoden's CornerIn the shadowed streets of The Hague, a cautious professor navigates a grim neighborhood where hidden lives and whispered secrets converge—revealing a world of quiet desperation an…
Level B2AdventureRod of the Lone PatrolOn a stormy October night, a mysterious bundle left at a rector's doorstep sets in motion an adventurous tale of courage, friendship, and the enduring spirit of youth inspired by t…
Level B2AdventureRocky Mountain Boys; Or, Camping in the Big Game CountryTwo cousins embark on a rugged expedition into the Rocky Mountains, braving wilderness and snow to trap, hunt, and face the wild—especially Felix’s daring quest to encounter a griz…
Level B2Children'sRocky ForkIn the quiet hills of Ohio, young Melissa Jane Garde embarks on her daily walk to school, encountering strangers and sharing simple joys with friends like Tildy and Teeny Banks.
Level B2RomanceRockhavenOn the rugged island of Rockhaven, Jess Hutton’s unexpected sale of a granite quarry sets off a wave of change among fishermen and friends, stirring fortunes, rivalries, and buddin…
Level C2PoetryRock of AgesA heartfelt plea for divine refuge and grace unfolds in poetic verses, exploring themes of sin, salvation, and unwavering faith beneath the steadfast Rock of Ages.
Level B2Children'sRock A Bye Library: A Book of Fables: Amusement for Good Little ChildrenExplore a world where clever animals and thoughtful children share timeless lessons through captivating fables—each tale revealing wisdom on honesty, kindness, and the value of pru…
Level B2Science FictionRobur the ConquerorStrange trumpet-like sounds echo mysteriously across the globe, baffling scientists and igniting international curiosity.
Level B1AdventureRobinson Crusoe, Told to the Children by John LangA young man defies his father’s wishes to seek adventure at sea, only to be shipwrecked on a mysterious tropical island.
Level B1AdventureRobinson Crusoe, Jr.An inventive boy fascinated by the tale of a castaway dreams of living like Robinson Crusoe—alone on a deserted island, building, exploring, and surviving with only animals and a l…
Level B1AdventureRobinson Crusoe — in Words of One SyllableA young man’s dream of life at sea leads to shipwreck, capture, and survival in a harsh new world.
Level B2AdventureRobinson CrusoeA restless young man defies his family’s wishes to seek adventure at sea, setting the stage for an extraordinary tale of survival and self-discovery on a remote island where fate t…
Level B2AdventureRobin's RamblesA dapper little robin with a curious spirit embarks on daily rambles beyond his cozy garden, uncovering lively neighbors and unexpected adventures while his practical wife keeps wa…
Level B2Children'sRobin of Sun CourtIn the grim slums of Sun Court, young Robin seeks refuge from his cruel stepfather's violence with the kind cobbler Jasper, whose small wallflower brings a glimmer of hope and beau…
Level C1HistoricalRobin Tremayne: A Story of the Marian PersecutionIn a turbulent era shadowed by persecution, young Robin Tremayne navigates the trials of faith and family amid England’s shifting religious landscape.
Level B2Children'sRobin Redbreast: A Story for GirlsIn a quaint lane near the town of Thetford stands Robin Redbreast, a charming red house with a mysterious past and a reclusive owner, Lady Myrtle Goodacre.
Level C1HistoricalRobin LinnetTwo Cambridge friends, Damon and Pythias, navigate youthful camaraderie and philosophy by candlelight, their bond deepening amid laughter and late-night debates.
Level B2AdventureRobin Hood;: Being a Complete History of All the Notable and Merry Exploits Performed by Him and His Men on Many OccasionsIn a time of lawlessness and greed, a wronged nobleman leads a band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest, robbing the rich to aid the poor while outwitting priests and nobles alike.
Level C1PoetryRobin Hood: A collection of all the ancient poems, songs, and ballads, now extant, relative to that celebrated English outlaw. To which are prefixed historical anecdotes of his life.Delve into the legendary life of Robin Hood, the noble outlaw who retreats to Sherwood Forest with his band of loyal archers, challenging injustice and carving a place in English f…
Level C1AdventureRobin Hood and His Merry ForestersIn medieval England, a daring young archer named Robin Hood defies royal foresters in a bold contest of skill, setting the stage for his legendary adventures as an outlaw and champ…
Level C1AdventureRobin HoodIn medieval Locksley, young Robin hones his archery skills under his father's watchful eye while receiving a mysterious invitation to a grand fair at Nottingham—an event that promi…
Level C1ClassicsRobinIn a fading Victorian London, a carefree couple's precarious lifestyle collapses after tragedy strikes, leaving a young mother and her infant daughter to face society’s harsh judgm…
Level C1HistoricalRobespierreIn the shadowed Hôtel de Pontivy, a determined councillor races against time to find a crucial document before a secretive parliamentary debate, while his daughter Clarisse brings…
Level B2RomanceRobert Tournay: A Romance of the French RevolutionAgainst the backdrop of pre-revolutionary France, a servant’s son navigates the sharp divides of class and passion as noble alliances are forged without love, while revolutionary i…
Level C1RomanceRobert Orange: Being a Continuation of the History of Robert OrangeIn Victorian London, Lady Sara-Louise-Tatiana-Valérie De Treverell faces a pivotal choice between a marriage proposal from a wealthy duke and her own ambitious desires for power.
Level C1ClassicsRobert Louis Stevenson: A Record, an Estimate, and a MemorialExplore the intimate correspondence and reflections of a frail yet indefatigable writer whose intellectual vigor defies his fragile health, revealing the profound influences and pe…
Level C2PoetryRobert Louis Stevenson, an Elegy; and Other PoemsA heartfelt poetic tribute explores the life, death, and enduring legacy of a beloved northern dreamer resting on a distant island.
Level C1ClassicsRobert Louis StevensonExplore the resilient spirit and vivid imagination of a fragile boy turned literary giant, who transforms life's hardships into stories brimming with hope and artistry.
Level C1ClassicsRobert Louis StevensonExplore the enduring legacy and literary mastery of a writer whose works captivated both discerning admirers and the broader public alike.
Level C1ClassicsRobert Louis StevensonExplore the roots of a literary genius shaped by a proud Scottish heritage of lighthouse engineers and brave ancestors.
Level C1HistoricalRobert Helmont: Diary of a Recluse, 1870-1871Amid the turmoil of the Franco-Prussian War, a bedridden man chronicles his isolated days in a countryside studio, capturing the tension, fear, and fleeting beauty of a world on th…
Level B2ClassicsRobert Hardy's Seven Days: A Dream and Its ConsequencesCaught between self-interest and family discord, Robert Hardy faces a restless Sunday night that challenges his old-fashioned values and forces him to confront the cost of his self…
Level B2ClassicsRobert FalconerA fourteen-year-old boy wrestles with memories of a mysterious man he believes might be his father, sparking a journey through family secrets and the quiet, restless moments of a l…
Level C1PoetryRobert F. Murray (Author of the Scarlet Gown): His Poems; with a MemoirExplore the poignant life and poetry of a young writer whose delicate humor, tender reflections, and love of letters reveal the struggles and ideals of a soul striving for excellen…
Level C1ClassicsRobert ElsmereIn the quiet Westmoreland valley, nature’s sober beauty mirrors the steadfast lives of its inhabitants, setting the stage for a profound exploration of faith, love, and human purpo…
Level B2HistoricalRobert Coverdale's StruggleIn a struggling New England fishing village, fifteen-year-old Robert Coverdale faces hardship with unwavering honesty and resolve, determined to support his family and resist the d…
Level C1PoetryRobert Burns: How To Know HimExplore the life of a fiercely passionate and independent poet who rises from humble beginnings amid hardship and family struggles in 18th-century Scotland.
Level B2ClassicsRobert Burns: A playAmid the rolling Scottish countryside, a passionate young poet defies rigid piety and social scorn as he embraces love, song, and the vibrant spirit of life, challenging the harsh…
Level C1ClassicsRobert BurnsExplore the vivid life and soul of a beloved Scottish poet through his own heartfelt poems and songs, revealing his joys, faults, and the society that shaped him.
Level C1PoetryRobert BurnsExplore the turbulent early life of a gifted poet born into hardship in Ayrshire, whose stormy passions and steadfast family shaped the verses that would captivate generations.
Level C1PoetryRobert Browning: How to Know HimExplore the life and poetic genius of Robert Browning through vivid interpretations of his work, revealing his unique style, paradoxes, and optimism shaped by a privileged upbringi…
Level C2PoetryRobert BrowningExplore the intricate mind and poetic genius of Robert Browning, a distinctly English yet cosmopolitan poet whose works challenge readers with their depth and individuality, offeri…
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.