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 C1ClassicsA Likely StoryIn a quaint seaside cottage, Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsA Life's Secret: A NovelIn a quiet English town, young Austin Clay, an orphan of gentle birth, navigates his apprenticeship under a self-made builder, determined to prove that hard work holds no shame.
Level C1ClassicsA Life's MorningA brilliant but fragile Oxford scholar faces the limits of mind and body as he battles exhaustion and the pressures of academic ambition.
Level C1ClassicsA Life of William Shakespeare: with portraits and facsimilesDelve into a meticulously researched narrative unraveling the life, career, and literary achievements of Shakespeare, shedding new light on his works, financial affairs, and relati…
Level C1ClassicsA Life of Walt WhitmanDelve into the complex life of Walt Whitman through the eyes of an English admirer who explores the poet as a mystic and man shaped by his era, offering insights drawn from Whitman…
Level C1ClassicsA Life for a Life, Volume 2 (of 3)Caught between duty and fate, Max Urquhart abandons resolutions to chronicle the unexpected twists of his life amid war and loss.
Level C1ClassicsA Life for a Life, Volume 1 (of 3)Amid the uneasy presence of a military camp near their moorland home, a young woman wrestles with her disdain for soldiers and her place within her family’s strict social expectati…
Level C1ClassicsA Life Sentence: A NovelA man stands condemned by overwhelming circumstantial evidence for the murder of a local gentleman, while his young, frightened daughter—ignorant of the world and faith—unexpectedl…
Level C1ClassicsA Librarian's Open Shelf: Essays on Various SubjectsExplore the curious habits of readers who borrow volumes but seldom finish them, revealing how duty and fleeting interest shape our engagement with books.
Level C1ClassicsA Letter from Mr. Cibber to Mr. PopeA fiery letter reveals the tangled feud between an actor and a poet, exposing witty insults, bawdy scandals, and the clash of egos behind 18th-century literary rivalries.
Level C1ClassicsA Letter Book: Selected with an Introduction on the History and Art of Letter-WritingExplore the art and history of letter-writing through carefully selected examples and insightful commentary, revealing the style and character behind some of the most elegant and i…
Level C1ClassicsA Lecture On Heads: As Delivered By Mr. Charles Lee Lewes, To Which Is Added, An Essay On Satire, With Forty-Seven Heads By Nesbit, From Designs By Thurston, 1812Delve into a sharp and witty exploration of heads, satire, and society as a celebrated lecture unfolds amidst 18th-century England’s tumultuous backdrop, blending humor, critique,…
Level C1ClassicsA Lear of the Steppes, etc.In a vivid portrayal of rural life, a powerful patriarch known as Harlov commands attention as his family and community navigate the sudden eruption of tragedy and its lasting impa…
Level C1ClassicsA Latin Grammar for Schools and CollegesDelve into a meticulously researched Latin grammar that prioritizes authentic examples and scientific presentation, offering a deep understanding of syntax, inflection, and usage d…
Level C1ClassicsA Knight on WheelsIn a world where charity is both a science and an art, young Philip navigates the curious demands of philanthropy under the watchful eye of Uncle Joseph, whose mysterious rules and…
Level C1ClassicsA Knight of the Nineteenth CenturyEgbert Haldane grows up pampered and spoiled, his mother’s excessive indulgence shaping him into a selfish, tyrannical boy who struggles to honor those closest to him.
Level C1ClassicsA King, and No KingAmidst political intrigue and war, a victorious king claims a rival prince prisoner and demands his ransom: the king’s enigmatic sister.
Level C1ClassicsA Kentucky Cardinal: A StoryIn the quiet winter of 1850 Kentucky, a solitary observer finds solace in nature’s subtle music and the company of loyal animals, but the arrival of new neighbors promises to disru…
Level C1ClassicsA Journey from This World to the NextAfter death, the narrator escapes his earthly prison and embarks on a mysterious journey guided by Mercury toward the next world, exploring philosophical reflections on life, virtu…
Level C1ClassicsA Journalist's Note-BookExplore the evolving world of journalism through candid reflections on its reputation, challenges, and the complex relationship between newspapers and their readers in a time when…
Level C1ClassicsA Humble EnterpriseAfter the sudden death of their father, a modest family must unite and navigate the challenges of starting anew with limited means.
Level C1ClassicsA House-Party, Don Gesualdo, and A Rainy JuneIn an old English manor alive with tradition and tension, Lord and Lady Usk navigate restless days before the shooting season, caught between fading love, social intrigue, and the…
Level C1ClassicsA House-Boat on the StyxIn the shadowy realm of the Styx, the Ferryman Charon faces unexpected competition when a mysterious, lavishly appointed house-boat appears, threatening his exclusive reign over th…
Level C1ClassicsA House of GentlefolkIn a provincial town in 1842, Marya Dmitrievna navigates widowhood, family tensions, and social expectations while reflecting on her past life and the complex characters around her…
Level C1ClassicsA House in BloomsburyIn a modest Bloomsbury lodging, young Dora forms an unlikely friendship with Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsA House Divided Against Itself; vol. 2 of 3A young woman grapples with solitude and shifting family dynamics after her sister departs, confronting feelings of loss and the challenge of carving out her own place in a world t…
Level C1ClassicsA House Divided Against Itself; vol. 1 of 3In the sun-drenched town of Bordighera, an irritable English resident encounters an unexpected visitor from his past, stirring old tensions and reluctant memories.
Level C1ClassicsA House Divided Against Itself (Complete)In a sun-drenched Italian town, a resentful English resident confronts the intrusive tourists disrupting his quiet life, only to be unexpectedly recognized by a long-lost acquainta…
Level C1ClassicsA Hoosier ChronicleIn a small Indiana college town, Sylvia navigates life in her grandfather’s austere, book-lined home, where academic rigor and quiet traditions shape every corner.
Level C1ClassicsA Holiday in Bed, and Other SketchesDelve into the vivid sketches of a Scottish town and the early life of a young man navigating education, poverty, and ambition.
Level C1ClassicsA Hero of the PenIn a thriving Mississippi town, a poised young woman and a determined suitor navigate the tensions of love, ambition, and impending separation as he prepares for a pivotal European…
Level C1ClassicsA Hero and Some Other FolksExplore evolving ideals of heroism through essays that challenge classical icons like Ulysses and Achilles, revealing the deeper human need to find nobility and strength in modern…
Level C1ClassicsA Hazard of New Fortunes — CompleteAmid the bustling streets of 1889 New York, a young literary couple navigates the challenges of modest living and social change during a citywide street-car strike, revealing the h…
Level C1ClassicsA Group of Noble DamesIn a grand manor in Wessex, a young heiress faces a bitter family dispute over a proposed marriage to a man deemed unsuitable by her father.
Level C1ClassicsA Group of Eastern Romances and Stories from the Persian, Tamil and UrduDive into a rich tapestry of Eastern tales blending everyday life with magic, jinn, and enchanted palaces.
Level C1ClassicsA Greek-English Lexicon to the New TestamentExplore the rich linguistic heritage of the New Testament with a detailed Greek-English lexicon, illuminating the original meanings behind sacred texts and revealing the profound w…
Level C1ClassicsA Great SuccessA rising lecturer's sharp portraits of political figures ignite London’s intellectual circles, drawing acclaim, rivalry, and a whirlwind of invitations that test the balance betwee…
Level C1ClassicsA Great Man: A FrolicIn Victorian London, Henry Knight, a dedicated draper’s manager, pours his passion into letters fighting social injustices, but when urgent matters arise, he faces baffling obstacl…
Level C1ClassicsA Gray Eye or So. In Three Volumes—Volume I, II and III: CompleteThree friends debate the nature of women and hope while sharing tales of rural Ireland, blending sharp wit with reflections on society, love, and the struggles of everyday life in…
Level C1ClassicsA Gray Eye or So. In Three Volumes—Volume IThree friends debate the nature of women amid the rugged Irish hills, weaving tales of loyalty, secrets, and hope.
Level C1ClassicsA Grammar of Colloquial Chinese, as Exhibited in the Shanghai DialectExplore the unique sounds and tones of the Shanghai dialect through a detailed study of its alphabet, pronunciation, and word groupings, revealing the rich linguistic character dis…
Level C1ClassicsA Good-For-Nothing: 1876A delicate yet determined youth defies parental expectations and societal norms as he navigates his unusual path toward greatness, torn between dreams of military glory, literary f…
Level C1ClassicsA Girton GirlIn a sunlit Guernsey hotel garden, three friends—an artistic American, his English wife, and their rugged Scottish cousin—navigate the paradoxes of love, ambition, and societal exp…
Level C1ClassicsA Gentleman Vagabond and Some OthersIn a vivid portrait of Southern society and spirited characters, a Major navigates friendships, social ranks, and personal histories in a world rich with tradition and transformati…
Level C1ClassicsA Garden of Peace: A Medley in QuietudeStep into a garden where peace and conflict intertwine, as two voices debate the meaning of tranquility amid history's battles—from ancient Eden to royal intrigues and revolutionar…
Level C1ClassicsA Fountain SealedIn wintry Boston, three lifelong friends from vastly different worlds—steadfast Mary, elegant yet discontent Rose, and restless Jack—navigate the complexities of love, loss, and id…
Level C1ClassicsA Foregone ConclusionIn wartime Venice, Don Ippolito, a reserved priest, nervously seeks a passport from the American consul, navigating the city's silent canals and hidden tensions.
Level C1ClassicsA Fool There WasIn a distinguished New York neighborhood, two boys and a girl grow up amid the weight of family legacy and quiet ambitions, where inherited virtues meet the mysteries of life and h…
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.