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 C1RomanceReliques of Ancient English Poetry, Volume 2 (of 3): Consisting of Old Heroic Ballads, Songs and Other Pieces of Our Earlier Poets Together With Some Few of Later DateDive into a collection of ancient English ballads and songs that reveal the fiery spirit and satire of medieval times, capturing battles, betrayals, and the age-old struggle for po…
Level C1RomanceReliques of Ancient English Poetry, Volume 1 (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 old heroic ballads, songs, and metrical romances that reveal the voices and stories of England’s earliest poets and minstrels.
Level C1PoetryReligious Studies, Sketches and PoemsExplore deep reflections on faith, suffering, and love through meditations and poems that center on Christ as the enduring source of strength in life's trials, offering solace amid…
Level C2PoetryReligious Poems, SelectedExplore a collection of deeply spiritual poems that evoke biblical stories, sacred hymns, and reflections on faith, capturing moments from Bethlehem to ancient sacrifices with reve…
Level C2PoetryReligious Poems, Part 2.: Part 6 From Volume II of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore profound reflections on faith, doubt, and divine love through evocative verses that grapple with human weakness, the mystery of God's goodness, and the soul’s quest for spi…
Level C2PoetryReligious Poems, Part 1.: Part 5 From Volume II of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierJourney through vivid spiritual landscapes where faith, nature, and ancient rites intertwine—from the hopeful Star of Bethlehem blossoming in foreign soil to the haunting downfall…
Level C2PoetryReligious PoemsExplore profound faith and devotion through stirring verses that reflect on sacrifice, divine presence, and the soul’s journey beyond life, inspired by stories of saints, sacred mo…
Level C1HistoricalReligio Medici, Hydriotaphia, and the Letter to a FriendExplore the profound reflections of a 17th-century physician whose writings blend science, superstition, and charity, revealing a mind shaped by diverse cultures and eras.
Level C1HistoricalRejected of Men: A Story of To-dayStep into the minds of the scribes, Pharisees, and priests as they grapple with a disruptive new teacher challenging their ancient traditions and social order, revealing a dramatic…
Level C1PoetryRejected Addresses; Or, The New Theatrum PoetarumA witty collection of poetic imitations emerges from a theatrical contest to craft the perfect opening address for Drury Lane Theatre's grand reopening, blending satire and homage…
Level C1Science FictionReinsternJourney through a vast, desolate landscape to a mysterious, idyllic community where government-provided abundance and education in natural history shape a society free of poverty a…
Level C2PoetryReincarnationsImmerse yourself in a lyrical journey through love, loss, and longing as vivid voices and haunting images evoke timeless human emotions and the enduring spirit of life’s many reinc…
Level C1ClassicsReginald in Russia, and Other SketchesIn the opulent yet politically tense salons of Russia, Reginald navigates sharp wit, social satire, and the peculiar customs of aristocratic life.
Level B2Children'sReginald Cruden: A Tale of City LifeOn a scorching summer day, young Reginald Cruden and his friends grapple with restless energy and lazy idleness in the garden, setting the stage for a lively tale of friendship and…
Level C1HistoricalReginald Bateman, Teacher and Soldier: A Memorial Volume of Selections from His Lectures and Other WritingsExplore the life of a scholar turned soldier, whose inspiring lectures and writings reveal the courage and sacrifice behind a promising academic career cut short by war.
Level C1ClassicsReginaldA witty social misfit reluctantly endures a garden party, navigating awkward conversations and absurd expectations with sharp humor and irreverent charm.
Level C1ClassicsRegina, or the Sins of the FathersIn the aftermath of Napoleon's fall, a war-torn Germany welcomes back its battered soldiers amid a fragile peace.
Level C1PhilosophyReform and Politics: Part 2 from The Works of John Greenleaf Whittier, Volume VIIExplore the clash between conservative resistance and visionary reform as political theorists challenge entrenched social orders, envisioning new possibilities for justice, suffrag…
Level C1PhilosophyReflections; or Sentences and Moral MaximsExplore sharp, insightful maxims and reflections that reveal the true nature of humanity, exposing the faults of mankind through concise, thought-provoking moral truths refined ove…
Level C1PhilosophyReflections on the death of a porcupine and other essaysAmid the turmoil of war and the clash of opposing forces, explore the profound struggle between fierce instincts and pure ideals, and the deep, restless longing within the human he…
Level B2ClassicsReflections of a beginning husbandA young couple rekindles their desire to marry but wrestles with society’s expectations and their uncertain futures.
ClassicsReflections of a Bachelor GirlWitty and insightful reflections on love, society, and independence from the perspective of a single woman navigating the complexities of early 20th-century life.
Level B2AdventureReed Anthony, Cowman: An AutobiographyFollow a young boy’s rugged journey through cattle drives and Civil War supply lines, as he learns the hard realities and traditions of a life spent with cattle in 19th-century Ame…
Level B2AdventureRedskin and Cow-Boy: A Tale of the Western PlainsIn the rugged gold rush camp of Cedar Gulch, three unlikely partners—tough cowboys and a limping, gentle-faced man known as Doctor—face harsh dangers and fierce rivalries while cha…
Level C1MysteryRedlaw, the half-breed; or, The tangled trail. A tale of the settlementsIn a frontier town plagued by counterfeit money and stock theft, a determined group forms a vigilance committee to uncover the hidden criminals.
Level C1HistoricalRedgauntlet: A Tale of the Eighteenth CenturyAmid the fading embers of the 1745 Jacobite uprising, a daring Scottish nobleman becomes entwined in a high-stakes conspiracy to revive the lost cause, navigating loyalty, honor, a…
Level C1ClassicsRedemption and two other playsIn a Moscow flat, a family grapples with the fallout of a fractured marriage, revealing deep conflicts between love, weakness, and societal expectations.
Level C1ClassicsRedeemedA woman stands firm as her husband seeks a divorce, fighting to keep custody of their child and protect her honor.
Level B2FantasyRedcoat Captain: A Story of That CountryIn a whimsical army where elephants guard the fort and promotions depend on passing ABCs, a young Redcoat Captain named Tiny dreams of marrying Mabel and securing a cozy home amid…
Level B2AdventureRedburn. His First Voyage: Being the Sailor Boy Confessions and Reminiscences of the Son-Of-A-Gentleman in the Merchant NavyA young man with a restless spirit leaves his quiet village to join a copper-fastened brig bound for Bremen, drawn by the romance and adventure of the sea.
Level B2HistoricalRed, White, Blue Socks. Part Second: Being the Second Book of the SeriesYoung soldiers of the Dashahed Zouaves eagerly prepare for battle with spirited drills and playful camaraderie under the guidance of a seasoned sergeant, blending youthful bravado…
Level B1AdventureRed, White, Blue Socks, Part First: Being the First BookOn a rainy afternoon, restless siblings George and Helen grapple with boredom and mischief, while their mother encourages them to embrace kindness, patience, and faith through hear…
Level B2AdventureRed stripesCaptured by Wyandot warriors, a defiant Virginian endures brutal captivity while plotting an escape through hostile territory.
Level B2ClassicsRed oleandersIn an underground city obsessed with buried gold, Nandini brings light and hope amidst darkness and fear.
Level C1ClassicsRed loveIn post-war Russia, Vassilissa, a young working woman and committed Communist, challenges traditional morals and societal expectations as she confronts the evolving roles of women…
Level C1RomanceRed as a Rose is She: A NovelIn a vividly drawn Welsh valley, complex characters navigate love, loyalty, and folly against a backdrop rich with local color and sharp observations.
Level C1HistoricalRed and White: A Tale of the Wars of the RosesAmid the turmoil of the Wars of the Roses, young Dorathie faces the pain of separation as her sisters leave home to serve noble ladies, while she struggles to find happiness and pu…
Level C1MysteryRed acesA young man’s passionate love turns to suspicion when he discovers his mysterious lover meeting secretly with an older man, revealing hidden secrets and testing the trust between t…
Level B2AdventureRed Wagon Stories; or, Tales Told Under the TentStep into the vibrant world beneath the circus tent, where performers share gripping tales of showbiz hustle, daring feats, and the relentless chase for fame on the road.
Level C1RomanceRed Spider, Volume 2 (of 2)Amidst mysterious attacks on local sheep, a determined young heir takes nightly watch, finding unexpected companionship with the serious and noble Honor.
Level C1ClassicsRed Spider, Volume 1 (of 2)In the fading rural parish of Bratton Clovelly, a richly detailed tale unfolds around Hillary Nanspian, a hearty farmer bound by family ties and tradition amid an England on the cu…
Level B2AdventureRed Saunders: His Adventures West & EastA sharp-shooting cowboy faces a dangerous standoff when he unknowingly rides into hostile territory, forcing him to rely on wits and speed to escape a fierce band of warriors.
Level B2ClassicsRed Saunders' Pets and Other CrittersIn a remote, rugged landscape, a group of men find companionship and chaos in an unlikely menagerie—from a hawk and a bull-snake to a fierce bobcat named Bob—each pet adding wild h…
Level C1RomanceRed RowansIn a remote Highland glen, young Jeanie Duncan wrestles with her beauty and dreams of love, while artist Paul Macleod captures her elusive charm on canvas—but will their bond survi…
Level B2Children'sRed Rose and Tiger Lily; Or, In a Wider WorldTwo spirited sisters return home for the summer, stirring excitement and upheaval in their family’s quiet estate.
Level C1AdventureRed Rooney: The Last of the CrewStranded in the frozen wilderness near Greenland, a lone survivor battles exhaustion and starvation as he struggles to reach the icy shore, clinging to a desperate hope for rescue…
Level C1HistoricalRed Rock: A Chronicle of ReconstructionIn the aftermath of the Civil War, the genteel society of the Southern "Red Rock" region clings to old traditions and honor amidst the ruins of their world.
Level C1ClassicsRed PottageCaught between societal expectations and personal desires, a man resolves to end a draining affair that once sparked passion but now feels like a prison.
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.