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 C1ClassicsNotwithstandingA young woman stands on the brink of despair along the turbulent Seine, wrestling with deep inner turmoil beneath the bright Parisian sun.
Level C1ClassicsNotre Coeur; or, A Woman's Pastime: A NovelIn a world where joy turns to misery and noble intentions mask cruel selfishness, a deeply emotional narrative unfolds, exploring the inevitable traps of human life and the relentl…
Level C1ClassicsNotes on the Mangue: An Extinct Dialect Formerly Spoken in NicaraguaExplore the remnants of the Mangue language, once spoken in Nicaragua but now extinct, through rare notes and fragments collected from the last native speakers and historical recor…
Level C1ClassicsNotes on My BooksJourney into distant lands where vivid realities challenge misconceptions and reveal the shared humanity beneath exotic landscapes, as a writer reflects on his evolving relationshi…
Level C1ClassicsNot Without ThornsA young captain arrives on a foggy evening in the bleak town of Wareborough, drawn into the mysterious world of Barnwood Terrace where an enigmatic young woman awaits and secrets l…
Level C1ClassicsNot Pretty, but Precious; And Other Short StoriesA handsome socialite, trapped by scandal and a broken leg, hastily marries a plain, devoted schoolteacher to escape a threatening marriage proposal.
Level C1ClassicsNostromo: A Tale of the SeaboardAmid the turmoil of a South American revolution, a trusted man seizes a lighter full of silver, sparking a tale of ambition, betrayal, and shifting loyalties in the shadowy coastal…
Level C1ClassicsNostalgiaA woman raised by the solitude of nature faces the overwhelming bustle of city life, struggling to reconcile her deep connection to the natural world with the relentless pulse of h…
Level C1ClassicsNorthern Lights, Volume 5.A disgraced Royal North-West Mounted Police sergeant, haunted by a tragic mistake, resigns and drifts into tavern life in the Saskatchewan frontier town of Kowatin, where past dang…
Level C1ClassicsNorthern Lights, Volume 1.In a changing Far West caught between fading wilderness and emerging civilization, a young Indian wife and her white husband navigate love, tradition, and the looming hardships of…
Level C1ClassicsNorse Tales and SketchesIn a lively Parisian dinner party, a mysterious Irishman captivates a socialite with his quiet charm amidst a melting pot of languages and personalities, revealing glimpses of Scan…
Level C1ClassicsNonsense NovelsStep into the chaotic world of the Great Detective, who juggles disguises and cryptograms to unravel a baffling royal kidnapping that threatens international peace.
Level C1ClassicsNone so deaf as those who won't hearTrapped in a quiet, suffocating world, Eglantine battles loneliness and her deaf father’s stubborn silence that blocks both conversation and suitors.
Level C1ClassicsNone Other GodsIn the serene setting of Cambridge’s Great Court, two friends clash over one’s seemingly reckless choices, hinting at a profound spiritual journey marked by daring, faith, and tran…
Level C1ClassicsNona VincentIn a warm, golden drawing-room, a young writer finds solace and inspiration in the company of Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsNobody's ChildAs winter reluctantly yields to spring, seventeen-year-old Ann Penniman navigates life on the outskirts of the Fox-Ridge Hunt Club’s privileged world, where a thrilling fox hunt an…
Level C1ClassicsNo enemyIn the aftermath of war, a poet-turned-economist named Gringoire seeks to rebuild life through simple pleasures like cooking and gardening, revealing how grace and poetry can thriv…
Level C1ClassicsNo SurrenderAmid sunlit lakes and picturesque villas, a young man returns from a tranquil visit only to face the harsh rule of Baron von Raven, where loyalty and opposition clash, and old frie…
Level C1ClassicsNo NameIn a somber country house, servants awaken to a cold March morning shadowed by a recent family event, setting the stage for a gripping tale of a woman's struggle between good and e…
Level C1ClassicsNo Defense, Volume 3.Amidst the lush plantations and complex social tensions of Jamaica, Dyck Calhoun wrestles with his past as a disgraced man seeking purpose after imprisonment and naval mutiny, navi…
Level C1ClassicsNiobe, All Smiles: A Farcical Comedy in Three ActsIn a London drawing room, a sharp-witted family prepares for a night at the theatre, where propriety clashes with playful banter and social expectations spark comedic chaos.
Level C1ClassicsNinth AvenueIn the gritty heart of New York’s Ninth Avenue, Blanche Palmer navigates a harsh world of cramped apartments and sharp family dynamics, balancing youthful allure with a restless se…
Level C1ClassicsNine Short EssaysExplore the twilight mysteries of the Tuileries Garden in 1868 Paris, where vibrant daytime life gives way to haunting silence and the echo of imperial power.
Level C1ClassicsNights With Uncle Remus: Myths and Legends of the Old PlantationStep into the rich oral traditions of the Southern plantations, where age-old myths and legends come alive through the storytelling of Uncle Remus.
Level C1ClassicsNightfallIn the shadowed halls of Wanhope manor, Laura tends to her distant, war-wounded husband as they navigate the quiet tensions of their restrained lives and the unspoken pasts that li…
Level C1ClassicsNight and Morning, CompleteAmid the shadows of prejudice and fear, a daring exploration of the blurred lines between truth and falsehood reveals the hidden poetry of modern life, challenging society's harsh…
Level C1ClassicsNiels LyhneA young dreamer wrestles with doubt, ideals, and the harsh truths of life, striving to become a true poet while confronting the limits of dreams and the demands of reality in a wor…
Level C1ClassicsNicholas NicklebyIn the harsh winter of Yorkshire, a concerned outsider investigates the grim realities of unregulated private schools, exposing the brutal neglect and ignorance that deform young m…
Level C1ClassicsNext Door Neighbours: A Comedy; In Three ActsIn a grand household preparing for a lavish ball, tensions simmer between extravagance and frugality as Sir George’s costly entertainments clash with concerns over mounting debts a…
Level C1ClassicsNews from the DuchyOn a lazy summer afternoon, a holiday train journey through the English countryside reveals an uncanny vision of naked gods playing music and navvies dancing beneath ancient oaks—a…
Level C1ClassicsNew Latin GrammarMaster the essentials of Latin grammar with clear explanations on sounds, inflections, syntax, and word formation, designed for both secondary and college students seeking a compre…
Level C1ClassicsNew Grub StreetIn a struggling literary world where ambition clashes with harsh realities, a young writer confronts the precariousness of success, friendship, and family tensions amidst the unfor…
Level C1ClassicsNew BroomsA philosophizing cook reflects on human nature through the habits and tastes of unseen diners, revealing character and life lessons from the kitchen’s unique vantage point.
Level C1ClassicsNeither Here Nor ThereEve's boredom sparks a witty exploration of timeless human follies, fashion fads, and societal quirks, revealing how history’s old tales echo in today’s restless world.
Level C1ClassicsNeither Dorking nor the AbbeyAs a great man’s ashes rest in a humble English village, his spirit rises youthful and triumphant on Box Hill, greeted by a gathering of devoted followers and immortal peers.
Level C1ClassicsNeighborhood StoriesIn a small Midwestern village, neighbors navigate the tensions between tradition and change, exploring evolving roles, social bonds, and fresh ideals that challenge their close-kni…
Level C1ClassicsNegro TalesIn a post-slavery world, a family grapples with the haunting legacy of their past as Caleb confronts the weight of curses, faith, and social survival.
Level C1ClassicsNearly Lost but Dearly WonIn a decaying, dusty manor rumored to be haunted, the enigmatic Mr.
Level C1ClassicsNature's Serial StoryDiscover the healing power of the natural world through the eyes of Mr.
Level C1ClassicsNature and Human NatureAn old friend arrives with lively tales and sharp wit, promising a night of spirited conversation and humor.
Level C1ClassicsNature and ArtBorn into poverty and struggling on the London stage, Elizabeth Simpson battles hardship and societal expectations while pursuing her dreams.
Level C1ClassicsNathaniel Parker WillisExplore the vibrant life and literary career of a 19th-century American poet and journalist, tracing his rise to fame, family heritage, and the shifting tastes that led to his fadi…
Level C1ClassicsNathaniel HawthorneUncover the complex legacy of a New England family marked by both pioneering spirit and dark Puritan judgment, tracing the roots and early life of a boy born into this heritage on…
Level C1ClassicsNathaniel HawthorneAn enigmatic doctor invites four aged friends to partake in an experiment with an elixir promising youth, revealing the ironies of human nature and the shadows of past regrets.
Level C1ClassicsNathan the Wise; a dramatic poem in five actsIn a time of religious tension and cultural conflict, a wise and compassionate man seeks to bridge divides through reason and humanity.
Level C1ClassicsNatalie; Or, A Gem Among the Sea-WeedsAn infant, miraculously found adrift on the stormy shore, becomes the center of hope and mystery in a coastal town shadowed by shipwrecks.
Level C1ClassicsNat Goodwin's BookStep into the candid memoir of a seasoned actor who reflects on his checkered career, public scrutiny, and the complexities of marriage with unflinching honesty and wit.
Level C1ClassicsName and Fame: A NovelIn the lively spa town of Aix-les-Bains, a striking French woman and her reserved English husband navigate a tense marriage marked by passion, resentment, and the clash of contrast…
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.