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 B2RomanceRevelations of a Wife: The Story of a HoneymoonA newlywed woman confronts the realities of marriage, reflecting on her doubts, past pain, and the promise to record their journey.
Level B1MysteryReuben Stone's discoveryLeft in charge of his father's struggling mill, a determined young miller faces mounting debts, suspicious rumors, and perilous challenges as he fights to save his family’s legacy…
Level C1ClassicsReuben SachsA promising young Jewish lawyer returns home after a nervous breakdown, navigating family expectations and societal pressures in Victorian London.
Level B2Children'sReuben Roy's temptationsA hardworking boy guarding strawberry fields at night faces danger from thieves, testing his courage and resolve.
Level B2AdventureReube Dare's Shad Boat: A Tale of the Tide CountryTwo friends return to their coastal hometown, where one has built a sturdy shad fishing boat to support his struggling family.
Level C1ClassicsReturning HomeAn English couple faces the bittersweet challenge of leaving their dull, distant life in Costa Rica to return to their beloved homeland.
Level C1RomanceReturned EmptyA solitary man haunted by a mysterious label left with him as a baby wanders a cliffside path, yearning for a home he cannot find.
Level B2ClassicsRetained for the Defence: A Farce, in One ActIn a drawing room set for a high-society party, a sharp-witted lawyer juggles a curious mix of guests, including a greengrocer turned hapless waiter, as secrets and social blunders…
Level C2ClassicsResurrectionA nobleman confronts his past when he recognizes a woman on trial for a crime he feels responsible for, leading him to question justice, morality, and redemption in a society rife…
Level B2Science FictionRestricted ToolA hunter stumbles upon a mysterious forbidden device, triggering a tense encounter with alien explorers bound by strict interstellar laws—forcing him to decide the fate of a powerf…
Level C1ClassicsRest Harrow: A Comedy of ResolutionA chance reunion on a steamer sparks intrigue as a mysterious, unconventional man accompanies a captivating widow, weaving a tale of past lives, hidden motives, and the quirks of E…
Level C2PoetryResponsibilities, and other poemsDive into a world where ancient myths and personal reflections entwine, as a poet wrestles with heritage, faith, and the haunting echoes of history through stirring verse and evoca…
Level C1HistoricalRescuing the Czar: Two authentic diaries arranged and translatedAmid swirling rumors and official denials, secret diaries unveil a daring attempt to rescue the Russian Czar and his family from a mysterious fate.
Level B2Science FictionRescue SquadLost in space and drifting helplessly toward the Sun, a young, inexperienced mail pilot battles fear and isolation while struggling to survive against an overwhelming cosmic force.
Level C1HistoricalRes Judicatæ: Papers and EssaysDive into a collection of insightful essays that explore the lives and works of literary figures like Samuel Richardson, revealing the unexpected complexities behind their public r…
Level B2PoetryRequired Poems for Reading and Memorizing: Third and Fourth Grades, Prescribed by State Courses of StudyDive into a rich collection of poems embraced by schoolchildren, where playful adventures, mysterious unseen friends, and the changing seasons come alive through captivating verses…
Level C1ClassicsReprinted PiecesAmid stormy seas and desperate escapes, vivid tales of perilous voyages and survival unfold—from mutinous ships to castaways battling hunger and fate—capturing the haunting allure…
Level C1ClassicsRepresentative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911:: Introduction and BibliographyDiscover a curated collection of rare and unpublished American plays from 1856 to 1911, offering fresh insights into the evolution of American theater through meticulously selected…
Level C1ClassicsRepresentative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: The New York IdeaIn a sharp satire of American frivolity, a high-society family navigates witty, biting exchanges that reveal the clash between tradition and modernity.
Level C1ClassicsRepresentative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: The Moth and the FlameIn a vivid exploration of middle-class quirks and social satire, a playwright weaves sharp irony and lively dialogue to capture the nuanced humanity behind everyday manners and une…
Level C1HistoricalRepresentative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: Paul Kauvar; or, AnarchyAmid the turmoil of the Reign of Terror, a bold exploration of mob psychology and anarchy unfolds on a grand theatrical stage, blending passionate emotions with sweeping scenes and…
Level C1HistoricalRepresentative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: Love in '76: An Incident of the RevolutionAmid the American Revolution, a spirited comedietta unfolds with fresh wit and social charm, avoiding patriotic excess while capturing lively characters and theatrical flair.
Level C1ClassicsRepresentative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: In MizzouraStep into the vibrant world of American theatre through the eyes of a playwright who crafts a popular comedy from life's scattered remnants, blending personal history with sharp di…
Level C1HistoricalRepresentative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: Francesca da RiminiIn a world where poetry and diplomacy intertwine, explore the refined life of a young Princeton scholar whose passion for literature and the theater shapes his journey through soci…
Level C1ClassicsRepresentative Plays by American Dramatists: 1765-1819Explore the evolution of American drama from 1765 to 1819, featuring plays that capture the spirit of the Revolutionary era and the emerging national identity through pioneering ch…
Level C1PhilosophyRepresentative Men: Seven LecturesExplore the profound impact of extraordinary individuals whose genius shapes society and inspires humanity.
Level C1ClassicsRepresentative English Comedies, v. 1. From the beginnings to ShakespeareExplore the evolution of English comedy from its earliest days through Shakespeare, with carefully selected plays that reveal the social manners, morals, and ideals of past generat…
Level C1HistoricalRepresentative British Orations Volume 4 (of 4): With Introductions and Explanatory NotesPassionate political speeches from 1813 to 1898 reveal the evolution of British oratory, featuring figures like Daniel O’Connell who mobilizes Irish masses with powerful, moderate…
Level C1HistoricalRepresentative British Orations Volume 3 (of 4): With Introductions and Explanatory NotesDive into the stirring speeches and political wit of George Canning, whose sharp rhetoric and bold satire shaped British politics from his early days at Eton to his influential rol…
Level C1HistoricalRepresentative British Orations Volume 2 (of 4): With Introductions and Explanatory NotesExplore the rigorous education and early ambitions of William Pitt the Younger, whose mastery of classics, mathematics, and logic shapes his rise as a formidable orator and politic…
Level C1HistoricalRepresentative British Orations Volume 1 (of 4): With Introductions and Explanatory NotesExplore the powerful speeches that shaped British history over 250 years, from resistance against absolutism to debates on liberty, foreign policy, and political reform.
Level C1ClassicsRenée MauperinIn a world where literary ambition clashes with relentless failure, two brothers pour their souls into every form of art and letters, defying fate and public indifference as they c…
Level C1AdventureRenshaw Fanning's Quest: A Tale of the High VeldtIn the blazing, unforgiving expanse of the High Veldt, a man grapples with love lost and harsh survival.
Level B2ClassicsReno — a Book of Short Stories and InformationDiscover the hidden soul of Reno, a city famed for its divorce laws yet rich with industry, stories, and vibrant life.
Level C1PoetryRenascence: A Book of VerseDive into a rich collection of evocative poems exploring themes of love, memory, time, and renewal, adorned with vivid imagery and lyrical beauty that awaken the spirit and stir th…
Level C2PoetryRenascence, and Other PoemsA profound meditation on existence unfolds as a soul confronts the vastness of the universe, bearing the weight of infinite knowledge, sorrow, and compassion.
Level C1HistoricalRenaissance in Italy, Volume 5 (of 7): Italian Literature, Part 2Dive into the vibrant world of Renaissance Italy through the lens of epic poetry, exploring the artistic evolution and cultural shifts that shaped masterpieces like Orlando Furioso…
Level C1HistoricalRenaissance in Italy, Volume 4 (of 7): Italian Literature, Part 1Explore the rich tapestry of Italy's Renaissance through a detailed inquiry into its social, political, and intellectual currents, culminating in an in-depth examination of Italian…
Level C1PoetryReminiscent Poems: Part 3 From Volume II of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore vivid memories and heartfelt reflections through lyrical portraits of nature, youth, and enduring spirit, where past dreams and emotions weave a timeless tapestry of beauty…
Level C1ClassicsReminiscences, 1819-1899Born into a distinguished family in early 19th-century New York, a woman recalls her childhood and the sweeping changes of her century—from revolutionary heritage to societal progr…
Level C1AdventureReminiscences of a South African PioneerJourney through untamed South Africa during the fevered rush for gold and diamonds, as a pioneering adventurer recounts close encounters with wild landscapes, indigenous peoples, a…
Level C1ClassicsReminiscences of Tolstoy, by His SonA tender portrait of family life unfolds through the eyes of a young boy growing up at Yasnaya Polyana, capturing the warmth, quirks, and daily rhythms around a legendary writer an…
Level C1ClassicsReminiscences of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert SoutheyA reflective memoir exploring the profound lives of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey, revealing their genius, struggles, and the moral lessons woven through their intertw…
Level C1HistoricalRemember the AlamoIn a vibrant San Antonio, a city born from wilderness and faith, diverse peoples navigate the tensions of culture, commerce, and the stirring call for Texan independence, setting t…
Level C2PoetryRemedia Amoris; or, The Remedy of Love: Literally Translated into English Prose, with Copious NotesA witty guide to love’s trials offers remedies for those ensnared by passion, teaching how to heal the wounds Cupid’s arrows inflict before they grow too deep.
Level C1HistoricalRemarks on Clarissa (1749)Dive into a sharp critique that dissects the lengthy, complex narrative of Clarissa through lively conversations and contrasting opinions, revealing the tensions between detailed s…
Level B2ClassicsRemarksDive into a lively collection of thoughts and tales spanning humor, history, science, and everyday wisdom, all carefully curated to entertain and enlighten readers from all walks o…
Level C1RomanceReliques of Ancient English Poetry, Volume 3 (of 3): Consisting of Old Heroic Ballads, Songs and Other Pieces of Our Earlier Poets Together With Some Few of Later DateDive into a rich collection of ancient English ballads and romantic tales, exploring legendary tests of fidelity like enchanted mantles and magical horns that reveal truth and hono…
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.