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 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…
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…
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.