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 C1ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 02Amid the harsh aftermath of war, a determined French colonel leads his exhausted troops through a snow-covered landscape, where a mysterious encounter with a vulnerable woman spark…
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 01Explore vivid tales rooted in the landscapes and lives of Normandy, where youthful discovery and literary passion intertwine to reveal the early inspirations of a master storytelle…
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Plays, Second SeriesOn a mystical island where love and sorrow intertwine, a deformed dwarf hides secrets that unravel amid veils and moonlight.![Cover of Original Plays [First Series] by W. S. Gilbert](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dackl4fvk76c73frb4l0.webp)
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Plays [First Series]In a whimsical fairyland above the clouds, ethereal beings grapple with love and desire when mortal knights descend, igniting passions and conflicts that blur the lines between mag…
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Letters and Biographic EpitomesA detailed critique delves into the ambitious yet flawed depiction of "Ecce Homo," exploring the tension between artistic skill and spiritual expression in this intense portrayal o…
Level C1ClassicsOratory Sacred and Secular; Or, The Extemporaneous Speaker: With Sketches of the Most Eminent Speakers of All AgesExplore the art of extemporaneous speaking through practical guidance and reflections on the power of natural, spontaneous speech, drawing on insights from history’s most eminent o…
Level C1ClassicsOration on VoltaireIn the shadow of revolution and social upheaval, a powerful oration celebrates Voltaire’s legacy as a beacon of progress and reason, challenging old creeds and inspiring humanity t…
Level C1ClassicsOranges and lemonsWhen a distant island governor’s wife entrusts her delicate daughter to a reluctant bachelor uncle, old family tensions and cultural clashes surface, challenging notions of duty, i…
Level C1ClassicsOptionsIn post-Civil War Georgia, Colonel Telfair takes the helm of The Rose of Dixie magazine, determined to revive Southern pride through literature and history while navigating the cha…
Level C1ClassicsOpinionsExplore the restless mind of a novelist grappling with the life of opinions—how they form, change, and shape both writer and character alike.
Level C1ClassicsOpenings in the Old TrailA boy’s simple journey to the post-office turns into a curious adventure when he encounters a mysterious woman near the mining tunnels, sparking a tale of youthful tenacity, secret…
Level C1ClassicsOpening a Chestnut BurrA weary young man battles physical and spiritual exhaustion amid the harsh realities of city life, searching for renewed strength and purpose.
Level C1ClassicsOnly an IncidentIn the idyllic town of Joppa, where leisure and tradition reign supreme, the lives of refined inhabitants intertwine amid picturesque lakeside charm and societal expectations.
Level C1ClassicsOnly a Girl: or, A Physician for the Soul.In a neglected German estate, young Ernestine battles harsh authority and isolation, her fragile body mirroring the decay around her.
Level C1ClassicsOne thousand dollars a day. Studies in practical economicsExplore the stark realities of labor and capital as one man grapples with economic injustice, questioning the true value of wages and the human cost behind the machinery of industr…
Level C1ClassicsOne of Our Conquerors — CompleteA charming gentleman's tumble on London Bridge sparks a clash of class and character, revealing the tensions beneath polite society’s surface.
Level C1ClassicsOne of Life's SlavesIn a gritty portrayal of Christiania's working-class life, a smith's apprentice grapples with harsh realities and a consuming passion that threatens to destroy him.
Level C1ClassicsOne Woman's LifeA sixteen-year-old girl and her family move into a cramped, dreary house on Chicago’s West Side, confronting harsh realities and dashed hopes as they seek stability amid constant u…
Level C1ClassicsOne Touch of Nature: A Petite Drama, in One ActIn the bustling world of 19th-century theatre, a playwright battles the frustrations of rehearsals, temperamental actresses, and the ambitions of his servant, who dreams beyond his…
Level C1ClassicsOne Third OffA witty and candid exploration of the trials and triumphs of losing weight, blending humor and personal insight into the challenges faced by those seeking to shed excess pounds and…
Level C1ClassicsOne Of ThemA man claiming magical powers faces a desperate challenge: uncover priceless stolen gems within forty days or face death.
Level C1ClassicsOne Man's ViewA man becomes unexpectedly captivated by a mysterious girl seen on a boarding house balcony, sparking a quiet yet profound exploration of passion, ambition, and the clash between d…
Level C1ClassicsOne Man in His TimeIn a city caught between fading traditions and relentless progress, a young man wrestles with his place in a changing world, haunted by past wars and yearning for meaning amid the…
Level C1ClassicsOne Day More: A Play In One ActIn a quiet seaside town, a blind widower and his daughter navigate tensions with their enigmatic neighbor, a retired captain obsessed with finding his long-lost son.
Level C1ClassicsOne Day At ArleIn a remote fishing village, a proud and silent woman returns from heartbreak only to face betrayal from her own husband, setting the stage for a simmering clash of secrets and fie…
Level C1ClassicsOn the eve: A novelA young Russian woman’s passionate inner world unfolds amid the quiet tensions of family and love, while contrasting characters reveal the complexities of identity, patriotism, and…
Level C1ClassicsOn the art of writing fictionDiscover the challenges of crafting fiction beyond mere storytelling, as the art lies in mastering style and captivating the reader’s imagination.
Level C1ClassicsOn the TrackIn a rugged mining town, children navigate the mysterious divide between the feared "bad girls" and the respectable families next door, uncovering secrets behind haunting songs and…
Level C1ClassicsOn the StairsTwo boys from different worlds cross paths on the worn stairs of an academy in 1873, only to find their roles reversed by 1916 within the marble halls of a bank.
Level C1ClassicsOn the Seaboard: A Novel of the Baltic IslandsA tense voyage to the isolated East Skerries sets the stage for a clash between a fearless fish commissioner and a domineering surveyor, as they navigate perilous waters under an o…
Level C1ClassicsOn the Old Road, Vol. 2 (of 2): A Collection of Miscellaneous Essays and Articles on Art and LiteratureExplore the art and architecture of picture galleries through a detailed examination of their design, function, and the ideal relationship between sculpture and painting.
Level C1ClassicsOn the Old Road Vol. 1 (of 2): A Collection of Miscellaneous Essays and Articles on Art and LiteratureStep into a bygone literary world where a writer reflects on decades of meticulous editing, shifting ideals, and the evolving landscape of art, politics, and society.
Level C1ClassicsOn the FrontierA mysterious fog-shrouded California coastline hides a stranded boat with a sleeping child, setting the stage for a suspenseful tale of survival and secrets on the untamed frontier…
Level C1ClassicsOn the Decay of the Art of LyingExplore a witty defense of lying as an essential, even noble art, lamenting its decline in skill and advocating for its careful cultivation in daily life and society’s rituals.
Level C1ClassicsOn reading in relation to literatureExplore the art of true reading beyond mere words on a page, uncovering how genuine literary appreciation demands critical thought, original insight, and a deeper engagement with t…
Level C1ClassicsOn Strike, or, Where do the Girls come in?A wealthy man, devastated by love and loss, dedicates his fortune to improving the lives of working women.
Level C1ClassicsOn SomethingExplore the bold vision of revitalizing English drama by focusing on the nuanced lives of the middle class, where everyday struggles and triumphs unfold in the majestic cadence of…
Level C1ClassicsOn Nothing & Kindred SubjectsExplore the profound and paradoxical nature of Nothing as the author delves into philosophy, society, and human experience, revealing the mysterious allure and ultimate significanc…
Level C1ClassicsOn EverythingExplore the enduring power of song as a vital force woven through labor, war, exile, and memory, revealing how melody sustains humanity's spirit and connects us across history and…
Level C1ClassicsOn AnythingA man’s quest to build castles in Spain leads him through deserted gardens, mysterious encounters, and the harsh realities of Aragon’s muddy lands.
Level C1ClassicsOnAn impassioned governor in Egypt seeks a love that truly answers his heart, assembling a grand seraglio yet finding none who can meet his deep longing.
Level C1ClassicsOmbraRaised in cold isolation by a guardian who forbids affection, heiress Katherine Courtenay faces a lonely childhood devoid of comfort or friendship.
Level C1ClassicsOlla PodridaA man plagued by an all-consuming obsession with politics finds his every thought and experience haunted by parliamentary debates and party rivalries, turning everyday life into a…
Level C1ClassicsOliver TwistBorn into hardship in a grim workhouse, an infant named Oliver Twist faces a harsh world from his very first breath.
Level C1ClassicsOliver OctoberBorn on a harsh October day in the small town of Rumley, Oliver Baxter Jr.
Level C1ClassicsOliver Goldsmith: A BiographyExplore the life and struggles of a gifted writer navigating poverty, literary rivals, and social circles in 18th-century England, revealing the challenges behind creative genius a…
Level C1ClassicsOliver GoldsmithExplore the humble beginnings of a beloved English writer, tracing his childhood in a remote Irish village and the quirky characters who shaped his early life, revealing the roots…
Level C1ClassicsOliver Constable, miller and baker, Vol. 3 (of 3)As winter sets in, Harry Stanhope clings to his role as a yeoman with relentless enthusiasm, navigating the hardships of rural life and markets while charming the miller’s family w…
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.