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 C2ClassicsRecollections of My Childhood and YouthA young boy navigates the wonders and confusions of childhood, from playful moments with adults to early lessons about the world’s complexities.
Level C1PoetryRecollections of Dante Gabriel RossettiExplore the intimate friendship and literary correspondence with a deeply troubled poet whose genius and personal struggles unfold through heartfelt letters and vivid recollections…
Level C1ClassicsRecollections of Captain Wilkie: A Story of an Old OffenderA chance encounter on a train sparks a sharp-witted observer’s curiosity about a mysterious, self-possessed man whose appearance and views defy easy categorization, drawing him int…
Level C1HistoricalRecollections of Bytown and Its Old InhabitantsStep back into the early days of Bytown, where memories of its original inhabitants and unfolding history come alive through heartfelt recollections, preserving names and stories t…
Level C1PoetryRecitations for the Social Circle. Selected and OriginalDiscover a curated collection of poetry, speeches, and recitations designed to stir the soul with quiet power and sincere expression.
Level C1HistoricalRecently Recovered "Lost" Tudor Plays with some othersUnearth seventeen rare Tudor interludes recently recovered from obscurity, including three long-lost plays that reveal early English drama’s vibrant moral and social themes, brough…
Level C1MysteryRecalled to LifeA young woman awakens from a mysterious amnesia, haunted by a vivid memory of her father's murder and a shadowy figure escaping through a window.
Level B2ClassicsRebellionIn a bustling ward controlled by the powerful "big fellow," Jim Connor navigates the gritty world of political favors, loyalty, and the tension between public duty and private stri…
Level C1HistoricalRebel womenIn a tumultuous London crowd, determined women face arrests and scorn as they fight for the right to vote.
Level C1PoetryRebel VersesExperience the raw, unvarnished lives of Lincolnshire's folk through verses that reveal their struggles, humor, and enduring spirit in a world shaped by war and tradition.
Level B2Children'sRebecca of Sunnybrook FarmA spirited young girl embarks on a lively journey from her farm to live with relatives in Riverboro, navigating new surroundings and adventures with determination and charm.
Level B2Children'sRebecca MaryA young girl faces a daunting challenge as she approaches the final stitch of an enormous sheet, wrestling with fear and determination at the crucial moment when she must decide wh…
Level B2AdventureReal Gold: A Story of AdventureTwo boys set out from a sun-drenched Pacific shore toward towering, snow-capped mountains rumored to hide untold riches.
Level B2Children'sReal FolksTwo sisters, Frank and Laura, navigate childhood from their shaded city rooftop, imagining forests and seas while facing their father’s long illness and the quiet absence of their…
Level B2Children'sReady, aye ready!A hardworking family faces the challenge of leaving their beloved countryside home for a cramped, bustling town cottage, where they must adapt and find hope amidst unfamiliar surro…
Level C1AdventureReady About; or, Sailing the BoatA disciplined young skipper at the Beech Hill Industrial School faces temptation and challenge when old friends arrive with a chartered schooner, testing his principles, courage, a…
Level C1ClassicsReadings from Modern Mexican AuthorsExplore the vibrant literary landscape of Mexico through vivid excerpts that reveal its geography, history, and culture, all captured by the voices of its modern authors.
Level C2PoetryReadings from Latin Verse; With NotesExplore the rich world of classical Latin poetry through carefully selected verses, from Ennius' legendary laments to Lucretius' profound reflections on nature and superstition, ac…
Level C1HistoricalReaders and Writers (1917-1921)Explore the vibrant world of early 20th-century literary criticism as it navigates the clash between tradition and innovation, revealing the challenges of interpreting art amidst s…
Level B2ClassicsRe-creationsA determined young woman leaves college abruptly to care for her ailing mother and manage her family’s struggles, facing the harsh realities of sacrifice, duty, and lost dreams.
Level C1RomanceRay's Daughter: A Story of ManilaAs war with Spain erupts in 1898, a group of young recruits embark on a grueling westward train journey through harsh landscapes, facing hardship and uncertainty as they head towar…
Level C1HistoricalRavenshoeDive into the tangled saga of the Ravenshoe family, where centuries of rebellion, political intrigue, and dark secrets unfold through the eyes of an affable narrator who knows ever…
Level C1MysteryRavensdene CourtAn expert in ancient books is invited to a remote Northumbrian manor to catalog a chaotic collection amassed over centuries.
Level C1AdventureRattlin the ReeferA mysterious veiled lady arrives at the Crown Inn during a fierce storm, sparking intrigue as she orders fresh horses and disappears into the night without luggage.
Level B2Science FictionRats in the BelfryA determined couple commissions a wildly eccentric home that defies all architectural logic, pushing their contractor to the brink as he struggles to build their bizarre "dream cas…
Level C1Children'sRathfelder's HotelIn the lush Cape Colony, two sisters prepare for a day at Rathfelder’s Hotel, where sunlit terraces and ocean breezes set the stage for unexpected adventures and the bonds of famil…
Level B2AdventureRataplan, a Rogue Elephant; and Other StoriesIn the tangled forests of Ceylon, a solitary elephant named Rataplan roams with a mischievous spirit and a fierce temper, shunned by his herd and feared by all.
Level C1PhilosophyRasselas, Prince of AbyssiniaA young Abyssinian prince, trapped in a palace of luxury and expectation, embarks on a quest to uncover the true source of happiness beyond fleeting pleasures and elusive ideals.
Level B2MysteryRaspberry JamAunt Abby defies social conventions to witness a mind-reading spectacle in Newark, sparking a clash with her cautious niece Eunice.
Level C1RomanceRaphael; Or, Pages of the Book of Life at TwentyIn the autumnal hills of Savoy, two soul-sick lovers find a profound, unspoken bond amid illness and isolation, their pure and intense romance unfolding like a delicate, spiritual…
Level C1RomanceRanson's FollyAt a remote military post, Mary Cahill, the sharp-witted daughter of the post-trader, navigates the strict social lines between officers and enlisted men—until the arrival of Lieut…
Level C1RomanceRank and Talent; A Novel, Vol. 3 (of 3)Caught between the crafty, self-serving Henry Augustus Tippetson and the thoughtful Markham, Clara Rivolta faces a delicate struggle of heart and judgment amid society's intrigues.
Level C1ClassicsRank and Talent; A Novel, Vol. 2 (of 3)In a London season buzzing with gossip and high society intrigues, a humble family suddenly finds themselves the center of attention, navigating scandalous rumors and reluctant inv…
Level C1ClassicsRank and Talent; A Novel, Vol. 1 (of 3)In a small town gripped by a tense assault trial, a young, inexperienced barrister faces off against a cunning and ruthless opponent, revealing deep social tensions and the harsh r…
Level B2Children'sRandy's Summer: A Story for GirlsA young girl escapes into a magical book of kings, queens, and fairies, but her daily life of baking pies and chores on a sunny summer day keeps pulling her back.
Level B1AdventureRandy of the River; Or, The Adventures of a Young DeckhandA determined young deckhand embraces hard work and honesty aboard a Hudson River steamboat, navigating the challenges of youth and responsibility.
Level B2Children'sRandy and Her FriendsSixteen-year-old Randy Weston cherishes her beloved mare Snowfoot and dreams of making the most of her school year, eager to learn beyond the district limits while balancing friend…
Level C1RomanceRandvar the songsmithIn a hidden Norse settlement untouched by the Norman Conquest, a rebellious jarl’s son breaks away on a solitary hunt, igniting tensions and revealing fierce loyalties amid the pri…
Level C2PoetryRandom Rhymes and RamblesExplore heartfelt musings and rustic wisdom through rough-hewn verse and prose, as an untrained rhymer captures life's struggles, kindness, and resilience in candid Yorkshire diale…
Level B2MysteryRancho Del Muerto, and Other Stories of Adventure: by Various Authors, from "Outing"A paymaster and his cautious clerk arrive at a sinister Arizona ranch haunted by past murder and shadowed by a ruthless proprietor.
Level B2RomanceRanching for SylviaA widow returns from Canada to England, summoning her steadfast cousin George to settle her late husband's affairs.
Level B2Children'sRanald Bannerman's BoyhoodA Scottish clergyman’s son reflects on the simple, meaningful moments of his boyhood in the quiet countryside, where floods, dreams, and family life shape his earliest memories and…
Level C1AdventureRan away from the DutchFour deserters vanish from a military outpost, setting off a desperate pursuit through treacherous jungles and hostile tribes.
Level B2AdventureRan Away to SeaA sixteen-year-old boy defies his loving parents and runs away to sea, driven by a lifelong passion for ocean adventures and tales of pirates, storms, and exotic lands.
Level C1ClassicsRamuntchoIn the misty autumn of the Basque mountains, a young boy named Ramuntcho returns to his isolated family home, caught between the wild solitude of nature and the stirring call of di…
Level C1MysteryRamshackle HouseOn a crumbling Chesapeake estate, spirited Pen Broome battles neglect and decay while managing her father's failing homestead, confronting simmering tensions and the relentless dem…
Level B1ClassicsRamsey MilhollandA young boy watches a Decoration Day parade with his grandfather, sparking a candid conversation about courage, fear, and the realities of war.
Level C1PoetryRampolliExplore a world where night holds mysterious power and sacred beauty, unveiling hidden depths of the soul beyond the reach of daylight.
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.