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 C1ClassicsThe cup; and The falconIn a Galatian city under Roman rule, a sacred cup stirs devotion and destiny amidst priestesses and warriors, while in an Italian cottage, sharp wit and simmering emotions unfold a…
Level C1ClassicsThe cruise of the NonaEmbark on a reflective voyage from Holyhead to the Wash, where sea adventures blend with sharp observations on life, letters, and human nature.
Level C1ClassicsThe cost of wings, and other storiesA celebrated aviator’s thrilling conquests in the skies contrast sharply with the silent anguish of his wife, whose patience and love are tested by years of neglect and unfulfilled…
Level C1ClassicsThe contrast, Volume 3 (of 3)A young woman from a quiet coastal town faces the overwhelming bustle and isolation of London society, struggling to find her place amid its dazzling yet indifferent crowds.
Level C1ClassicsThe contrast, Volume 2 (of 3)A seasoned politician turned sixty reluctantly steps into the role of a provincial justice of the peace, navigating the absurdities and rituals of lawmaking he once helped create.
Level C1ClassicsThe contrast, Volume 1 (of 3)In a turbulent era marked by war and political intrigue, a shrewd heir balances ambition and leisure amidst the picturesque backdrop of Hornscliff Abbey.
Level C1ClassicsThe conquest of RomeA restless deputy journeys through the night toward Rome, clutching a precious medal that symbolizes his hard-won political triumph.
Level C1ClassicsThe congressman's wife, a story of American politicsIn the heart of Washington’s political whirl, a Congressman and his wife navigate the social demands and personal sacrifices behind public life.
Level C1ClassicsThe coming of peace (A family catastrophe)On a snowy Christmas Eve in a remote Brandenburg country house, the Scholz family prepares for a holiday gathering that reveals deep social tensions and personal struggles, blendin…
Level C1ClassicsThe comingA vicar in a tranquil English village wrestles with faith and doubt amid the shadow of war, haunted by his son’s heroic exploits in the skies and the sea.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 12 (of 12)Dive into vivid essays that blend sharp wit and keen observation, from thrilling fight nights to reflections on courage and friendship, capturing the lively spirit and complexities…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 10 (of 12)Explore the origins of storytelling as ancient bards transform historical exploits into richly embellished tales, blending fact with myth and supernatural drama to captivate audien…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 09 (of 12)Explore England’s finest picture galleries through vivid sketches that capture the soul of art, revealing the timeless beauty and profound impact of masterpieces by Raphael, Titian…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 08 (of 12)Explore the delicate balance between laughter and tears as human emotions respond to life's absurdities and tragedies.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 07 (of 12)Explore sharp, candid essays dissecting the prose styles of poets and critics alike, revealing how rhythm, voice, and expression shape the art of writing and influence literary suc…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 06 (of 12)Explore original essays that delve into the pleasures of painting and the subtleties of human nature, capturing moments of quiet reflection and the pursuit of understanding through…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 03 (of 12)A passionate letter challenges false patriotism and questions the motives behind war and government actions, urging true love of country grounded in liberty and justice.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 02 (of 12)Dive into the vivid memoirs of Thomas Holcroft, tracing his early childhood in London through striking personal anecdotes and reflections, as he battles adversity with remarkable d…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 01 (of 12)Dive into the fiery intellect and relentless spirit of a literary titan who challenges superstitions and champions revolutionary ideals, all while navigating the fierce cultural ba…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 11 (of 11)A father confronts the haunting consequences of his own flaws reflected in his fragile son, Eyolf, while a mysterious Rat-Wife stirs dark local legends.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 09 (of 11)Amidst political turmoil and bitter party divisions in 19th-century Norway, this volume explores the clash between aristocratic dignity and democratic upheaval, revealing the deep…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 08 (of 11)A passionate doctor uncovers a dangerous truth that pits him against his entire community, challenging the complacency and corruption of the majority.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 07 (of 11)In a society bound by rigid expectations, Nora challenges the confines of marriage and individuality after a secret act to save her husband’s life ignites a profound personal recko…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 06 (of 11)Amid political tensions and personal rivalries, a sharp new comedy unfolds, exposing the ambitions and hypocrisies of Norway's youth and Liberal party.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 04 (of 11)Dive into the life of Peer Gynt, a half-mythical Norwegian hero whose wild adventures and complex origins unfold against the backdrop of 19th-century Scandinavia, blending folklore…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 03 (of 11)A visionary Norwegian poet wrestles with national disgrace and exile, crafting a fiery drama that exposes the harsh realities of his homeland's struggles and the clash between hero…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 01 (of 11)Dive into the powerful dramas that shaped modern theater, exploring complex characters and societal challenges through carefully crafted translations that preserve the original's i…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen Vol. 10 (of 11)In a sharp exploration of human emotions and social constraints, a complex woman navigates her role as her father's daughter rather than her husband's wife.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected stories of Elisabeth Sanxay Holding from Munsey's Magazine, 1920-1928A devoted wife navigates the quirks and restless spirit of her brilliant but troubled husband on their tenth wedding anniversary, balancing love, patience, and silent longing in a…
Level C1ClassicsThe climbersIn a lavish Fifth Avenue drawing-room, a family navigates the aftermath of a grand event, revealing tensions beneath their polished facade.
Level C1ClassicsThe cinnamon heartIn a whimsical medieval realm ruled by King Nougat I, Princess Caramella’s suitors vie for her heart amid curious concoctions and brewing chaos.
Level C1ClassicsThe chronicles of Break o'DayIn a fertile Michigan territory, Major Ratke, a determined inventor and philosopher, struggles to manage his vast farm and eccentric projects amid unreliable help and looming finan…
Level C1ClassicsThe chief Elizabethan dramatists, excluding ShakespeareExplore the vibrant world beyond Shakespeare through vivid plays that reveal the rich tapestry of Elizabethan drama, blending myth, romance, and wit to illuminate the era's theatri…
Level C1ClassicsThe changed bridesOn a fierce winter night, a determined bridegroom braves a raging storm and treacherous mountain roads to keep his wedding promise, while uncertainty looms over a grand marriage de…
Level C1ClassicsThe championIn a bustling newspaper office, a young printer’s devil dreams of becoming the fastest, most skilled compositor, while grappling with the harsh realities of his humble, ink-stained…
Level C1ClassicsThe cairnA heartfelt collection of reflections, memories, and shared wisdom, gathered like precious stones from many hands, exploring joy, sorrow, love, and the tender nuances of human expe…
Level C1ClassicsThe brother clerksTwo brothers arrive in bustling New Orleans, carrying hopes of reclaiming their lost home and future through hard work and courage.
Level C1ClassicsThe book of Scottish storyDive into vivid Scottish tales that capture the spirit and social life of a bygone era, from the homespun humor of Patie Crichton, the henpecked bicker-maker, to stirring stories t…
Level C1ClassicsThe book of Saint NicholasDiscover the charming tales and traditions of St.
Level C1ClassicsThe blacker the berryEmma Lou, the only dark-skinned student in a predominantly white school, struggles with the painful reality of colorism as she faces society's harsh judgments.
Level C1ClassicsThe black pearlA young Parisienne embarks on a daring journey to her uncle’s remote Australian station, carrying a mysterious black pearl that once belonged to a begum, linking her to a hidden an…
Level C1ClassicsThe black borderExplore the haunting legacy of the transatlantic slave trade along Africa’s coast, tracing the origins and enduring influence of the resilient Gullah people and their unique dialec…
Level C1ClassicsThe birds of ShakespeareExplore the rich tapestry of Shakespeare’s poetry through his vivid bird imagery, revealing his deep knowledge and poetic use of nature’s songsters to illuminate human life and emo…
Level C1ClassicsThe best stories of Sarah Orne Jewett, Volume 1 (of 2)Experience the gentle beauty and enduring spirit of New England through richly drawn characters and landscapes, where everyday moments unfold with the quiet grace of life itself, r…
Level C1ClassicsThe best short stories of 1925, and the yearbook of the American short storyDive into a vibrant collection capturing the pulse of 1925 America through short stories that explore its evolving identity, societal shifts, and the birth of new ideals amid the b…
Level C1ClassicsThe best short stories of 1922, and the yearbook of the American short storyDiscover a curated collection of American short stories from 1922, capturing the era's literary spirit and grappling with themes of cultural disintegration, artistic challenge, and…
Level C1ClassicsThe best short stories of 1920, and the yearbook of the American short storyDive into a curated collection capturing the art of American short storytelling, where each tale reflects the diverse tastes and evolving psychology of readers across popular magaz…
Level C1ClassicsThe best short stories of 1919, and the yearbook of the American short storyExplore a collection that delves into the American short story's struggle to capture the nation's true spirit, revealing a literature caught between materialism and idealism, and c…
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.