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 C1ClassicsAngels' Shoes, and Other StoriesIn a remote jungle where river and sea clash, a wounded man and a mysterious native girl are rescued by a fragile trader’s crew, sparking a haunting tale of survival, identity, and…
Level C1ClassicsAngelicaIn a gritty Harlem tenement, a weary mother struggles to provide for her captivating yet exacting daughter, Angelica, whose mysterious allure both fascinates and unsettles those ar…
Level C1ClassicsAngela's BusinessA young writer grapples with society's outdated assumptions about women, challenging the roles imposed on spinsters and idle wives as he explores the complexities of the Woman Ques…
Level C1ClassicsAnecdotes of the late Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: During the Last Twenty Years of His LifeStep into the intimate world of Samuel Johnson through the eyes of a close friend and hostess who witnessed his final years.
Level C1ClassicsAndrew MarvellExplore the enigmatic life of Andrew Marvell, a poet, parliamentarian, and diplomat whose striking wit and steadfast patriotism shaped 17th-century England, yet whose true characte…
Level C1ClassicsAnderby WoldIn the frost-bitten East Riding countryside, Sarah Bannister drives with quiet determination to a tea party celebrating the final clearance of a farm mortgage, navigating the delic…
Level C1ClassicsAnatole FranceExplore the life and works of Anatole France, a pacifist thinker whose clear, ironic mind navigates beauty and ugliness alike amid the turmoil of war.
Level C1ClassicsAnatole FranceExplore the sharp wit and subtle irony that define a writer who masks profound truths beneath naïve tones, challenging society’s conventions and revealing the complexity of justice…
Level C1ClassicsAnathema: A Tragedy in Seven ScenesIn a mysterious realm guarded by silent sentinels, Anathema, a restless outcast, challenges fate and eternity itself.
Level C1ClassicsAnalytical StudiesExplore the sharp, satirical dissection of marriage and its complexities, where biting humor and philosophical insight challenge the romantic ideal, revealing the social foibles an…
Level C1ClassicsAn odd coupleIn a quiet drawing-room, a steady yet shocking proposal of separation disrupts a long marriage marked by deep, unyielding differences.
Level C1ClassicsAn idyl of the Wabash, and other storiesA young New England teacher ventures to a small Indiana town, confronting its unfamiliar customs, rugged landscape, and quaint inhabitants with a mix of humor and cultural clash.
Level C1ClassicsAn ideal husbandIn the glittering world of London high society, charming conversations mask underlying secrets and idle lives, as the Chiltern family navigates the delicate balance between appeara…
Level C1ClassicsAn episode in the doings of the dualizedIn a family rich in culture but poor in money, Ethelbert Daksha navigates the clash between lofty ideals and the harsh realities of society's obsession with wealth.
Level C1ClassicsAn apology for idlers, and other essaysIn a society obsessed with relentless industry, a thoughtful voice champions the overlooked value of idleness—not as laziness, but as a vital form of learning and reflection beyond…
Level C1ClassicsAn anthology of German literatureJourney through the rich tapestry of German literature, exploring medieval poetry and key works in their original or modernized forms, accompanied by insightful notes that illumina…
Level C1ClassicsAn altruistIn the heart of London society, Wilfrid Bertram passionately champions altruism and duty, challenging the selfish norms of his peers.
Level C1ClassicsAn account of the giants lately discoveredA daring captain discovers a hidden tribe of towering giants along the Patagonian coast, sparking a mysterious encounter filled with silence, strange gestures, and an unspoken invi…
Level C1ClassicsAn Unsocial SocialistIn an old English country-house, a strict teacher confronts a group of rebellious young women whose daring antics challenge the rules and reveal the tensions beneath their discipli…
Level C1ClassicsAn Unpardonable LiarIn a cozy gathering, a mysterious chant from outside disrupts a lively performance, stirring eerie memories and hidden tensions among the guests.
Level C1ClassicsAn Outcast; Or, Virtue and FaithIn a Charleston gripped by fear and disease, society retreats while the city’s darkest vices simmer beneath the surface.
Level C1ClassicsAn Outcast of the IslandsA worn-out European drifts through a shadowy tropical settlement, shunned and mysterious, carrying the heavy burden of a past betrayal that haunts both him and those around him.
Level C1ClassicsAn Orkney MaidAmid the rugged Orkney Islands, a community shaped by Viking heritage and shifting sovereignties faces the challenges of progress and peril.
Level C1ClassicsAn Open-Eyed Conspiracy; An Idyl of SaratogaIn the sultry shade of Saratoga’s parks, an observant traveler notices a striking young woman whose beauty masks complex relationships and hidden tensions.
Level C1ClassicsAn Old Woman's Tale: (From: "The Doliver Romance and Other Pieces: Tales and Sketches")In a sleepy Connecticut village where time seems to pause, a young couple from fading fortunes contemplates love beneath ancient elms, while an old woman’s tales blur the line betw…
Level C1ClassicsAn Old Story of My Farming Days Vol. 2 (of 3).: (Ut Mine Stromtid)In a quaint village, young lovers navigate social divides and festive preparations, while a quirky friend crafts a homemade flag to honor a returning lieutenant—unfolding a charmin…
Level C1ClassicsAn Old Story of My Farming Days Vol. 1 (of 3).: (Ut Mine Stromtid)In struggling Mecklenburg, a tenant farmer faces bankruptcy and the auction of his life's work, reflecting a time of hardship, resilience, and the stark realities of rural poverty…
Level C1ClassicsAn Obscure Apostle: A Dramatic StoryIn a society trapped in ancient customs and deep divisions, a hidden world unfolds where education and brotherhood struggle against ignorance and prejudice.
Level C1ClassicsAn Isle of Surrey: A NovelIn the quiet dusk by South London's canal, a group of men gossip about the mysterious new occupant of Crawford's House, stirring curiosity and suspicion in this gritty tale of secr…
Level C1ClassicsAn Isle in the WaterA widower’s new wife rules the island with children and charm, erasing the memory of his first, deceased wife—except for a faithful dog and eerie whispers of a ghost haunting the q…
Level C1ClassicsAn Irish Cousin; vol. 2/2At a lively supper after a spirited dance, a young woman navigates social tensions and secret engagements, caught between the charms of Nugent and the elusive Willy.
Level C1ClassicsAn Irish Cousin; vol. 1/2A restless traveler crosses the Atlantic to Ireland, where family tensions and new destinies await amidst the rolling green hills and changing tides.
Level C1ClassicsAn International EpisodeTwo young Englishmen arrive in bustling New York City, encountering its vibrant streets, diverse culture, and unfamiliar customs.
Level C1ClassicsAn Idyl of the East Side: 1891A frail young man from the Black Forest carries his beloved canary-birds across the ocean to New York, chasing dreams of family, fortune, and a lost childhood love in a new land fu…
Level C1ClassicsAn Eye for an EyeConfined in a luxurious asylum, a tormented lady obsessively demands justice for a past wrong, while her tragic story unfolds beyond the walls of Scroope Manor—a grand but somber e…
Level C1ClassicsAn Essay on Comedy and the Uses of the Comic SpiritExplore the elusive art of comedy and the rare genius behind the comic spirit as it navigates societal norms, intellectual demands, and the delicate balance between laughter and of…
Level C1ClassicsAn Essay Upon ProjectsA sharp-minded observer navigates the political and social upheavals of 17th-century England, proposing practical improvements and visionary ideas for society’s moral and material…
Level C1ClassicsAn Englishman Looks at the World: Being a Series of Unrestrained Remarks upon Contemporary MattersAs aeroplanes break the barrier of the Channel, an Englishman confronts the shock of foreign innovation and the unsettling implications for national pride, military security, and t…
Level C1ClassicsAn English SquireAt Oakby Hall, a proud English squire and his spirited children navigate the rugged beauty and social challenges of their ancestral home.
Level C1ClassicsAn Autumn SowingIn a rigid Sunday church service, the Keeling family faces the stern doctrines of eternal damnation, revealing tensions and unspoken struggles beneath their outward piety.
Level C1ClassicsAn Autobiography of Anthony TrollopeDiscover the intimate memoir of a life shaped by passion, duty, and literary pursuit, chronicled with candor from personal reflections to final years marked by travel and creativit…
Level C1ClassicsAn Author's Mind : The Book of Title-pagesDive into a vivid ramble through the restless mind of an author wrestling with endless thoughts and creative chaos, seeking relief and clarity amid a flood of ideas and literary mu…
Level C1ClassicsAn Australian GirlIn the sun-drenched gardens of North Adelaide, a young man and woman navigate the passions and challenges of horse racing and personal dreams amid the vivid backdrop of Australian…
Level C1ClassicsAn Apology for the Life of Mrs. Shamela AndrewsA sharp satire unfolds as a witty editor exposes the supposed falsehoods and hidden motives behind the virtuous Pamela, offering a candid and humorous counter-narrative to her cele…
Level C1ClassicsAn Anarchist WomanIn gritty Chicago streets, Marie, a young factory worker scarred by poverty and cruelty, channels her relentless spirit into a fierce quest for freedom and meaning beyond her harsh…
Level C1ClassicsAn American tragedy, v. 2Caught between a haunting past and a tantalizing future, a young man navigates social ambitions and complex love affairs, as desire and duty collide in a world shadowed by secrets…
Level C1ClassicsAn American tragedy, v. 1In the shadows of a bustling American city, a struggling family clings to faith and hope through street hymns and sermons.
Level C1ClassicsAn American Politician: A NovelIn the refined world of Boston society, Mrs.
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.