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 B2ClassicsElkan Lubliner, AmericanIn the bustling world of a Lower East Side garment shop, two partners grapple with loyalty, family ties, and the challenges of immigrant life as one debates sending money to bring…
Level B2ClassicsElizabeth Visits AmericaA young woman, seeking freedom from a troubled marriage, joins her eccentric relatives on a lively automobile journey through Europe filled with humor, family dynamics, and unexpec…
Level B2ClassicsElizaA man reflects on his modest life with Eliza, exploring the delicate balance of respectability, taste, and financial constraint in their marriage, revealing the humor and challenge…
Level B2ClassicsEgholm and his GodIn a rain-soaked town, young Sivert finds strange delight in a gloomy day while his father, Egholm, struggles with inner turmoil and the weight of secret beliefs, casting a shadow…
Level B2ClassicsEdna's Sacrifice and Other StoriesOn a bleak, rain-soaked night, Aunt Edna reveals the heart-wrenching story of Lilly, a fragile young woman shattered by tragic news, weaving a tale of love, loss, and sacrifice tha…
Level B2ClassicsEditorial Wild OatsA thirteen-year-old printer's apprentice takes the helm of a small-town newspaper, unleashing sharp satire and uproarious lampoons that ignite the community and stir up rival edito…
Level B2ClassicsEben Holden's Last Day A-FishingA peaceful summer visit to a quiet village unfolds with warm family moments, old legends, and the gentle charm of fading memories.
Level B2ClassicsEatin' Crow; and The Best Man in GarotteIn a rough mining camp buzzing with hope and suspicion, newcomer Charley Muirhead stirs the pot with his fierce temper and mysterious past, challenging a grumbling local and offeri…
Level B2ClassicsDynamite Stories, and Some Interesting Facts About ExplosivesExplore the explosive science behind dynamite and smokeless powder, revealing the chemistry, mechanics, and dramatic real-life stories tied to powerful blasts shaping industries an…
Level B2ClassicsDustA struggling family battles relentless dust and drought on the harsh Kansas prairie, clinging to the hope of a farm that promises a better future.
Level B2ClassicsDrusilla with a MillionAn unexpected visit from two mysterious men disrupts the quiet life of Drusilla Doane, a solitary woman with no known family, stirring curiosity and whispers among the residents of…
Level B2ClassicsDream Life and Real Life: A Little African StoryIn the harsh African plains, young Jannita dreams of a kinder life far from her harsh reality as a poor indentured child.
Level B2ClassicsDrawing Rooms, Second Floor, and Attics: A Farce, in One ActIn a bustling London household preparing for a grand ball, a spirited servant and her quirky uncle navigate mishaps and social ambitions amidst chaotic preparations, promising a ni…
Level B2ClassicsDown the line with John HenryFollow John Henry’s wild bets and witty schemes through the thrilling chaos of the racetrack, where luck, hunches, and high stakes collide in a rollicking adventure filled with col…
Level B2ClassicsDorothy PageWhen Dorothy Page moves from her isolated Western ranch to a grand Kentucky home, her vibrant spirit and fresh perspective captivate her wealthy neighbor Sterling.
Level B2ClassicsDorothy Harcourt's secretOn a snowy Christmas night, a mysterious sleigh ride brings joy to children in troubled neighborhoods, while Roma, devoted to rescuing lost children, grapples with the uncertain fa…
Level B2ClassicsDorianA young boy’s simple quest for shoes leads him to a treasure trove of books, forcing a tough choice between practicality and passion.
Level B2ClassicsDolly DialoguesMiss Dolly Foster takes pride in having transformed a plain, unrefined young man into a polished gentleman—only to be coldly ignored by him now.
Level B2ClassicsDiminutive dramasStep into a witty breakfast debate between King Henry VIII and Catherine Parr, where a simple boiled egg sparks a clash of opinions and a playful argument over history, love, and t…
Level B2ClassicsDimbie and I—and AmeliaIn a sunlit Surrey garden, a woman’s joy blooms as her beloved husband Dimbie returns home, bringing warmth and love that outshines family woes and everyday troubles.
Level B2ClassicsDevil's FordIn a booming frontier mining camp, newfound riches spark grand dreams and wild plans among rugged prospectors, whose boyish enthusiasm clashes with the harsh realities of the dusty…
Level B2ClassicsDestinyOrphaned and penniless, Muriel Standen is invited to uncover long-hidden family secrets that may change her fate forever.
Level B2ClassicsDelilah of the SnowsCaught between rigid social ranks and personal longing, a young man cherishes secret moments with a proud, graceful woman in a quiet English village, where unspoken hopes and the p…
Level B2ClassicsDeephaven and Selected Stories & SketchesTwo young women inherit a charming old estate in the quaint, sea-swept town of Deephaven, where childhood memories and family legacies intertwine.
Level B2ClassicsDear EnemyA spirited socialite unexpectedly takes charge of a bleak orphanage, plunging into the challenge of transforming its grim halls and the lives within—while navigating family expecta…
Level B2ClassicsDaphne: An Autumn PastoralAn American girl navigates language barriers and cultural quirks while exploring the Italian countryside alone, uncovering the beauty and challenges of villa life amid whispers of…
Level B2ClassicsDanny's Own StoryRaised by a quarrelsome couple who can’t agree on his name or his place in the world, young Danny navigates a harsh life where love, identity, and hardship collide in a raw, unforg…
Level B2ClassicsDancers in the DarkIn the glow of her first prom night, Joy Nelson steps into a dazzling world of late-night dances, rebellious roommates, and thrilling secrets.
Level B2ClassicsDame CareA family faces ruin as their estate is seized and a newborn’s arrival deepens their despair.
Level B2ClassicsDaisy's Necklace, and What Came of ItA vain young writer’s attempt at a novel unfolds alongside sharp critiques and the charming story of Daisy Snarle, whose mysterious necklace weaves through a tapestry of dreams, ho…
Level B2ClassicsDaisy ThorntonA devoted sister’s journal reveals her growing unease as her brother Guy marries Daisy, a charming but mysterious young woman from a troubled family.
Level B2ClassicsCy Whittaker's PlaceIn the seaside town of Bayport, town clerk Asaph Tidditt uncovers a secret letter that could change everything about the coveted Whittaker estate, stirring local tensions and polit…
Level B2ClassicsCupid and the lawIn the shadowy world of Honolulu's opium smuggling, a cunning crew navigates danger and deception, racing against customs officers to protect their illicit cargo.
Level B2ClassicsCrowd-horrorA fiercely powerful boxer with raw talent struggles to master the science of fighting as his determined manager guides him from reckless slugger to potential champion in the brutal…
Level B2ClassicsCowboy Life on the Sidetrack: Being an Extremely Humorous & Sarcastic Story of the Trials & Tribulations Endured by a Party of Stockmen Making a Shipment from the West to the East.A group of seasoned cowboys faces the chaotic reality of shipping cattle eastward, battling delays, deceptive agents, and railroad logistics on the great Overland route.
Level B2ClassicsCousin PhillisA young clerk embarks on newfound independence in a quiet county town, navigating the challenges of work, solitude, and society.
Level B2ClassicsCousin MaudeA young widow faces a life-changing engagement to a wealthy but cold doctor whose true nature remains unknown as she prepares to leave her simple home and bring her spirited daught…
Level B2ClassicsCountess Vera; or, The Oath of VengeanceA young woman faces heartbreak and betrayal as her dying mother reveals dark family secrets and a looming forced marriage.
Level B2ClassicsCora and The Doctor; or, Revelations of A Physician's WifeA young bride crosses the Atlantic with her husband to start a new life in America, facing the challenges of unfamiliar surroundings and the daunting task of winning over his wary…
Level B2ClassicsContinuous VaudevilleStep behind the stage door and meet the watchful gatekeepers of vaudeville theaters, whose quiet observations reveal the colorful, often humorous world of actors and performances b…
Level B2ClassicsConcerning BelindaAmbitious Belinda leaves small-town teaching behind to enter the glittering yet guarded world of a prestigious New York finishing school, where social divides shape every lesson an…
Level B2ClassicsComrades: A Story of Social Adventure in CaliforniaIn turn-of-the-century California, a patriotic colonel confronts rising socialist unrest amid the Spanish-American War, wrestling with loyalty, free speech, and fierce debates over…
Level B2ClassicsComrade YettaIn a humble East Broadway bookstore, young Yetta grows up surrounded by her father's gentle wisdom and eclectic books, learning lessons that shape her unique path amid the vibrant…
Level B2ClassicsComfortable Mrs. Crook, and other sketchesA sharp-witted widow prides herself on her self-sufficiency and well-tended garden, yet her cold distance leaves neighbors longing for her warmth.
Level B2ClassicsColonel Carter of CartersvilleA charming Southern colonel, living modestly in an old Bedford Place home, enthusiastically pursues a bold new railroad scheme with the help of his loyal servant Chad.
Level B2ClassicsCobwebs and CablesRoland Sefton, a prosperous bank partner and beloved town leader, faces a looming crisis that threatens his cherished home and reputation.
Level B2ClassicsCobb's AnatomyDive into a witty exploration of body image and the trials of growing stout, as a slim narrator humorously recounts the social quirks and personal challenges of gaining weight and…
Level B2ClassicsCloudy JewelA devoted woman faces loneliness and judgment after refusing her sister's offer of shelter and support, choosing instead to remain alone in the family home amidst grief and hardshi…
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.