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 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 C1Children'sRed Riding HoodVenture into the woods with Red Riding Hood as she sets off to visit her grandmother, unaware of the cunning danger lurking nearby.
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.
Level C1ClassicsRed Paint at Oxford: SketchesAmidst motoring mishaps and mischievous escapades, a group of Oxford undergraduates navigate their lively ‘Varsity careers with humor and daring.
Level C1Science FictionRed NailsIn a vast, silent forest, a fierce warrior woman named Valeria discovers a mysterious city beyond the trees, sparking a journey filled with danger and dark secrets in a world where…
Level C1MysteryRed MoneyA tense house party near Abbot's Wood is stirred when gypsies, suspected of local burglaries, become the focus of suspicion and a daring fortune-telling outing.
Level C1ClassicsRed Men and WhiteExplore the turbulent American West through intertwined stories of frontier life, where ancient customs clash with modern progress and vivid characters navigate a land of fierce co…
Level C1MysteryRed Masquerade: Being the Story of the Lone Wolf's DaughterAt a dreary auction, a youthful art collector with a sharp eye for hidden treasures uncovers more than just dusty relics, drawn into a world where secrets and scandal mingle with p…
Level B2Children'sRed Hunters and the Animal PeopleIn the wild Northwest, a Red hunter lives in harmony with the animal spirits, following sacred traditions that honor the “Great Mystery.
Level B2RomanceRed HairA young woman, unexpectedly disinherited and branded an adventuress, faces a pivotal meeting with the man destined to inherit her home—and possibly her future.
Level C1HistoricalRed FleeceIn war-torn Warsaw, an American journalist's chance encounter with a mysterious gray-eyed woman sparks a quiet but intense connection, blending intrigue and longing against a backd…
Level C1HistoricalRed EveIn a medieval world unaware of a deadly plague unleashed from the East, a mysterious red-cloaked man embarks on a haunting voyage that portends doom and change.
Level B2AdventureRed Cloud, the Solitary Sioux: A Story of the Great PrairieA young boy grows up in a small glen, dreaming of the vast world beyond the hills and the sea he glimpses from a mountain top.
Level C1AdventureRed Cap Tales, Stolen from the Treasure Chest of the Wizard of the NorthFour children resist reading classic novels until tales inspired by Sir Walter Scott's stories are spun to captivate their imaginations, blending adventure and whimsy to transform…
Level C2ClassicsRecreations of Christopher North, Volume 2Wander through a vividly painted Scottish parish where nature’s beauty intertwines with poignant memories of youth and loss.
Level C1ClassicsRecreations of Christopher North, Volume 1Dive into the spirited world of field sports and pastimes, where nature, passion, and human character intertwine in lively tales of shooting, fishing, fox-hunting, and more.
Level C1ClassicsRecords of a GirlhoodA woman reflects on her life through a trove of letters, revealing a lineage marked by resilience and artistic genius, and a childhood shaped by the turbulent backdrop of revolutio…
Level C1ClassicsRecords of Later LifeA newlywed woman reflects on the complexities of marriage, personal growth, and intellectual solitude as she adjusts to life away from her family and prepares to build a home fille…
Level C1ClassicsRecollections: With Photogravure Portrait of the Author and a number of: Original Letters, of which one by George Meredith and: another by Robert Louis Stevenson are reproduced in: facsimileBorn into a transforming English town, a boy discovers the delicate beauty hidden in nature’s simplest forms, from bracken to starlit skies, as he reflects on childhood moments tha…
Level C1ClassicsRecollections: The Reminiscences of the Busy Life of One Who Has Played the Varied Parts of Sailor, Author & LecturerEmbark on a vivid journey through the varied life of a sailor turned author and lecturer, sharing authentic tales from the lecture platform and the high seas.
Level C1HistoricalRecollections of the late William Beckford: of Fonthill, Wilts and Lansdown, BathStep inside the vast library of William Beckford, a man surrounded by rare art, exquisite books, and extraordinary memories.
Level C1RomanceRecollections of a chaperonA widowed mother reflects on guiding her seven daughters through the complexities of love and society, balancing caution with hope in a world where marriage is both a gamble and an…
Level B2HistoricalRecollections of a Varied LifeA vivid memoir unfolds as a man in his seventies reflects on a lifetime spanning the growth of America, revealing encounters with diverse people and the changing social landscape f…
Level C1MysteryRecollections of a PolicemanA detective in London’s police force is tasked with uncovering a cunning gang of swindlers and forgers, navigating high society and hidden dangers to bring justice to a young victi…
Level C1ClassicsRecollections of My YouthDive into a rich tapestry of childhood memories, blending legend and reflection, as a man revisits the echoes of his youth and the shaping moments of his past, revealing a poetic 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.