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 C1ClassicsPenny PlainIn the misty town of Priorsford, the Jardine family shares quiet moments before young David embarks on his first term at Oxford, while the youngest, Gervase, turns everyday life in…
Level C1ClassicsPenguin IslandA devoted monk renounces his royal heritage to lead a monastery, then feels called to spread the Gospel to pagan islanders worshiping a sacred fig tree.
Level C1ClassicsPencil Sketches; or, Outlines of Character and MannersA naval officer returns home after years at sea, eager to reconnect with his charming cousin and attend a grand country party.
Level C1ClassicsPen-portraits of literary womenExplore the lives and works of remarkable literary women, from the Brontës to Mary Shelley, enriched with vivid backgrounds and personal insights that reveal their struggles, achie…
Level C1ClassicsPembroke: A NovelIn a quiet New England village, stubborn wills clash over trivial disputes, revealing the deep, often hidden struggles of its residents.
Level C1ClassicsPelican Pool: A NovelIn the harsh, untamed wilderness of northern Australia, a remote mining camp stands as a fragile outpost against the relentless forces of nature and the encroaching wild.
Level C1ClassicsPeeps at People: Being Certain Papers from the Writings of Anne Warrington WitherupA determined writer embarks on a whimsical quest to find the elusive explorer Nansen, navigating London’s mysteries and icy adventures to uncover the man behind the legend—where ch…
Level C1ClassicsPeeps at PeopleExplore a lively collection of essays and sketches that capture the spirited essence of youth and the shifting tides of time, revealing the humor and humanity behind everyday peopl…![Cover of Pebbles on the shore [by] Alpha of the plough by A. G. Gardiner](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6ggmapmtvc73csll9g.webp)
Level C1ClassicsPebbles on the shore [by] Alpha of the ploughReflecting on the quiet solitude of rural life during wartime, a writer adopts the pen name Alpha of the Plough to share intimate essays that capture the moods and musings stirred…
Level C1ClassicsPearls of ThoughtA rich collection of insightful maxims and reflections drawn from timeless literature invites readers to explore wisdom distilled into concise, thought-provoking passages.
Level C1ClassicsPearl-Fishing; Choice Stories from Dickens' Household Words; First SeriesJourney through the English countryside to a quaint village where picturesque ruins and a charming vicarage set the stage for tales of refined poverty, romance, and the quiet beaut…
Level C1ClassicsPaz (La Fausse Maitresse)In 1835 Paris, a wealthy heiress marries a young Polish exile amid political tensions and fading fortunes.
Level C1ClassicsPawnedIn the rain-soaked streets of New York’s East Side, a grieving cabman entrusts his newborn daughter to a pawnbroker’s care after a tragic loss, setting the stage for a story of har…
Level C1ClassicsPaula Monti; or, The Hôtel LambertAt the 1837 Paris Opera-ball, high society mingles with mystery and scandal, centering around the enigmatic Princess de Hansfeld of the Hôtel Lambert.
Level C1ClassicsPaul the minstrel, and other storiesStep into a semi-medieval world where romantic adventures mask deeper lessons on the challenges of moral choice and the struggle between impulse and virtue, as a schoolmaster weave…
Level C1ClassicsPaul VerlaineA fragile poet wrestles with the torment of creative need and personal weakness, revealing raw human emotion in every line.
Level C1ClassicsPaul Rundel: A NovelIn a mountain village, young Paul Rundel struggles against bullying and harsh family hardships while carrying the weight of his ailing father and a cold mother.
Level C1ClassicsPaul PatoffA reflective narrator invites you into a tale woven with the restless whispers of the south wind, exploring the tension between youthful hope and the inevitable shadows of aging an…
Level C1ClassicsPaul KelverIn the shadowed streets of London's East End, a worn man revisits a crumbling house that holds memories of a troubled past and faded family hopes.
Level C1ClassicsPaul Faber, SurgeonIn a tranquil English countryside, a spirited surgeon and a benevolent rector cross paths, revealing glimpses of their intertwined lives amidst rural charm, humor, and the quiet pu…
Level C1ClassicsPaul Clifford — Volume 04In a shadowy alehouse, a band of roguish companions plot their next daring exploit, blending wit, rivalry, and ambition as they navigate the blurred lines between gentlemanly charm…
Level C1ClassicsPaul Clifford — Volume 01A gripping exploration of crime and punishment unveils the harsh realities of a young man shaped by a corrupt prison system and society’s brutal justice.
Level C1ClassicsPatrins: To Which Is Added an Inquirendo Into the Wit & Other Good Parts of His Late Majesty King Charles the SecondFollow a reflective scholar’s musings on knowledge, youth, and the pursuit of wisdom through poetic wanderings and sharp critique, as he navigates the tensions between learning and…
Level C1ClassicsPaths of JudgementIn a serene yet solitary house surrounded by vibrant gardens and sweeping landscapes, tensions stir between Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsPaste JewelsA newlywed couple embarks on married life with high hopes, only to discover that managing household servants—each with their own quirks and loyalties—poses unexpected challenges th…
Level C1ClassicsPast Redemption: A Drama in Four ActsIn a rustic barn under moonlight, farmers and young women gather for a husking, where lively banter reveals budding romances, rivalries, and the art of courting amidst the simple r…
Level C1ClassicsPassion fruitIn the tropical harbor of Noumea, a charming young officer’s chance encounter with the enigmatic Ribot sisters—beautiful twins with a mysterious past—unfolds amid lingering passion…
Level C1ClassicsPassamaquoddy TextsExplore the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Passamaquoddy and Maliseet peoples of Maine and New Brunswick through their unique language, wampum records, and oral tradi…
Level C1ClassicsPassages from the American Notebooks, Volume 2.Experience the trials and humor of communal living at Brook Farm, where the narrator learns farming, confronts unruly cows, and bonds with a quirky group of settlers striving to bu…
Level C1ClassicsPassages from the American Notebooks, Volume 1Immerse yourself in vivid walks through 1830s Salem, where natural beauty and keen observations bring to life seaweed-strewn shores, lively pastures, and the curious habits of pigs…
Level C1ClassicsPassages from a Relinquished Work (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")A young man chafes under the stern guardianship of a village parson, rejecting conventional careers to embrace a wandering life as a storyteller.
Level C1ClassicsPartners: A Novel.On a serene spring afternoon, a young woman confronts her guardian's cold calculations about marriage, wealth, and duty, challenging the harsh realities of love and ambition in a w…
Level C1ClassicsParodies of the works of English & American authors, vol. VExplore a rich collection of witty parodies that reimagine the celebrated poems of English and American authors, from Gray’s haunting elegies to the stirring songs of the Civil War…
Level C1ClassicsParodies of the works of English & American authors, vol. IIIExplore witty and insightful parodies that playfully critique renowned English and American poets, turning their grand themes and styles on their head to reveal the absurdities ben…
Level C1ClassicsParodies of the works of English & American authors, vol. IDive into a witty collection that playfully exposes the absurdities and quirks of renowned English and American poets through sharp, clever parodies.
Level C1ClassicsParlous Times: A Novel of Modern DiplomacyIn a sultry South American setting, a disillusioned British officer newly wed to a powerful heiress faces a covert conspiracy involving bribery, secret papers, and shadowy figures…
Level C1ClassicsParisians in the CountryA charmingly flawed traveling salesman encounters the quaint countryside and its quirky inhabitants, setting the stage for a mix of humor, social satire, and intricate character st…
Level C1ClassicsParisian Points of ViewStep into the lively world of Parisian society through sharp, witty portraits that blend delicate irony with vivid drama, revealing the charming and sometimes mischievous lives beh…
Level C1ClassicsParadise Garden: The Satirical Narrative of a Great ExperimentA struggling philosopher is unexpectedly offered a lucrative opportunity tied to the controversial legacy of a reclusive millionaire who sought to reshape society.
Level C1ClassicsParables of a ProvinceIn a remote mountain valley, Hepnon, a resilient cripple, devotes himself to crafting an organ that captures the mystical music of the legendary Golden Pipes, promising a melody th…
Level C1ClassicsParables from flowersAmidst a quiet oak, a family of wrens builds a cozy nest, surrounded by caring woodland birds.
Level C1ClassicsPapa BouchardIn a quiet Parisian household, the sudden departure of every man—manservant, guardian, and even a parrot—unleashes hidden desires for freedom and rebellion, challenging a life of s…
Level C1ClassicsPandoraA young German diplomat embarks on a transatlantic voyage, observing the diverse passengers and grappling with his rigid conservative views as he prepares to navigate the complexit…
Level C1ClassicsPan's gardenAn artist captures the unique spirit of trees with uncanny accuracy, revealing their hidden personalities in vivid portraits.
Level C1ClassicsPanA solitary wanderer retreats from the suffocating city to the raw, untamed countryside, confronting nature, love, and the inescapable forces that shape human existence with biting…
Level C1ClassicsPamela, or Virtue RewardedA young servant girl faces uncertainty after her mistress’s death but finds unexpected kindness from her new master, who promises protection if she remains faithful and diligent.
Level C1ClassicsPamela, Volume IIA virtuous young wife navigates the joys and trials of married life, balancing duty, affection, and social grace while cherishing the simple pleasures of home and family.
Level C1ClassicsPamela Giraud: A Play in Five ActsIn post-Napoleonic Paris, a spirited flower-maker named Pamela navigates love, class tensions, and mysterious danger as suitors vie for her heart amid political intrigue and secret…
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.