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 C1ClassicsClaude's ConfessionA struggling young poet in the Paris Latin Quarter bares his soul through feverish letters, revealing a poignant journey of love, despair, and hope amidst the harsh realities of st…
Level C1ClassicsClark's FieldA nostalgic journey through a once-familiar town reveals the relentless march of progress erasing childhood landmarks like Clark's Field.
Level C1ClassicsClara HopgoodIn the quiet town of Fenmarket, sisters Clara and Madge Hopgood navigate societal expectations and personal desires against a backdrop of monotonous landscapes and stifling provinc…
Level C1ClassicsClair de Lune: A Play in Two Acts and Six ScenesIn a stately court where political intrigue simmers beneath elegant façades, a restless queen seeks her elusive prince amid whispers of secret passions and shadowy plots.
Level C1ClassicsCircular SawsWitty and whimsical tales twist reality with kings who splash boldly, an ostrich in Parliament, a princess craving a frog’s freedom, and a beauty who defies convention—each story b…
Level C1ClassicsCirce's DaughterIn a London flat buzzing with anticipation, a seasoned butler and an old family friend reflect on the rise of a young barrister poised to become remarkable.
Level C1ClassicsCinderella, and Other StoriesIn a bustling New York hotel, the staff unites to host an extraordinary annual ball, inviting a celebrated singer to perform for their exclusive celebration.
Level C1ClassicsCinderella JaneIn a season of lavish society spectacles, aspiring artist Jerry Paxton seizes a daring chance to direct a grand biblical pageant, navigating high society’s demands and his own ambi…
Level C1ClassicsCicelyIn the sun-drenched south of France, young Geneviève navigates the quiet struggles of family duty, social expectations, and longing for a more vibrant life beyond her modest world.
Level C1ClassicsChronicles of the Canongate, 1st SeriesAmid financial ruin and revealed identity, a once-anonymous author turns to storytelling with candid reflections and vivid tales drawn from Scottish life, blending humor, tragedy,…
Level C1ClassicsChristmas storiesOn Christmas Eve, Alice Warren prepares for her debut into society, her family’s wealth and warmth contrasting sharply with the envy and hidden struggles of Adelaide Huntington, wh…
Level C1ClassicsChristmas at Thompson HallA determined Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsChristmas Roses and Other StoriesIn a wintry garden, a resilient widow tending Christmas roses finds unexpected hope and strength as she faces grief and a troubling letter from her family, reminding her that life’…
Level C1ClassicsChristmas Eve at Swamp's EndAmid a frozen, windswept lumber town on Christmas Eve, young Pattie Batch pours her heart into crafting a precious cloak, weaving warmth and love against the harsh wilderness and t…
Level C1ClassicsChristmas Comes but Once a Year: Showing What Mr. Brown Did, Thought, and Intended to Do, During That Festive Season.In a snowy Victorian suburb, the ambitious Mr.
Level C1ClassicsChristine of the hillsA mysterious guide leads a traveler through the enchanting Adriatic islands to a secluded pavilion where Christine, a captivating and enigmatic woman, awaits amidst lush nature and…
Level C1ClassicsChristineA young woman embarks on a bold adventure studying music in Berlin, writing heartfelt letters home as she navigates hope, love, and the looming shadows of war in 1914 Germany.
Level C1ClassicsChristina Alberta's fatherA retired laundryman, Mr.
Level C1ClassicsChristie Johnstone: A NovelA wealthy but restless viscount finds himself discontent despite his fortune and pleasures, until love and sharp intellect intertwine in the spirited Lady Barbara Sinclair, whose v…
Level C1ClassicsChristian's MistakeA young governess unexpectedly marries the reserved Master of Saint Bede's College, thrusting her into a world of social change and hidden tensions.
Level C1ClassicsChristian MelvilleOn a cold December evening, Christian Melville, a thoughtful woman burdened by sorrow, faces the bittersweet emotions stirred by her brother's impending marriage.
Level C1ClassicsChristian Gellert's Last Christmas: From "German Tales" Published by the American Publishers' CorporationIn 1768 Leipzig, beloved poet and moral lecturer Christian Gellert faces his final lessons with a heavy heart, questioning the true impact of his teachings on youth and the world.
Level C1ClassicsChrist in FlandersIn a remote Flemish village where aristocrats and commoners share a tense boat journey, mysterious arrivals spark whispered legends and deep social divides.
Level C1ClassicsChoice Specimens of American Literature, and Literary Reader: Being Selections from the Chief American WritersExplore a curated collection of extended excerpts from America’s foremost writers, spanning religious, historical, and literary voices from the seventeenth century onward.
Level C1ClassicsChitra, a Play in One ActA warrior princess raised as a son grapples with her identity and love when Arjuna, a famed prince and ascetic, enters her forest realm, challenging her strength and awakening her…
Level C1ClassicsChinese fables and folk storiesExplore the enchanting world of Chinese fables and folk stories, revealing the rich imagination, wisdom, and cultural insights of a people whose tales have long remained hidden fro…
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the desertAmid the vast, unforgiving desert borderlands, Harboro, a stoic railroad man with a mysterious past, marries Sylvia in a small town where weddings are rare and lives intersect unde…
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the TenementsIn the grim tenements of New York, a struggling immigrant family battles poverty, sickness, and ruthless landlords to protect their most precious treasure—their child, known only a…
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the Ghetto: A Study of a Peculiar PeopleWithin the narrow streets of London’s Jewish Ghetto, a vibrant community struggles with poverty, tradition, and the weight of history, weaving dreams and faith amid hardship and ch…
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the Dear CotswoldsAmid the timeless beauty of the Cotswolds, returning soldiers and locals reconnect with their cherished homeland, revealing the deep bonds between people and place during a time of…
Level C1ClassicsChild and Country: A Book of the Younger GenerationA family escapes the weariness of city life to build a home on the lakeshore, discovering health, creativity, and a new vision for educating children at home.
Level C1ClassicsChetwynd CalverleyIn a grand Cheshire estate, estranged siblings reunite amid their father's grave illness, unveiling family tensions and mysterious silences that hint at deep secrets and shifting l…
Level C1ClassicsCheckers: A Hard-luck StoryOn Derby Day in Chicago, a novice racegoer navigates the thrilling chaos of betting, crowds, and horse racing odds, uncovering unexpected stakes and secrets beneath the surface of…
Level C1ClassicsChattertonIn a cramped London garret, the young poet Chatterton wrestles with poverty and pride while clinging to his dreams and the fragile hope of recognition, even as those around him dis…
Level C1ClassicsChastelard, a TragedyIn the shadowed chambers of Holyrood, the four Maries weave songs of love and longing, while whispers of courtly passion and scandal stir around the enigmatic figure of Chastelard,…
Level C1ClassicsChaste as Ice, Pure as Snow: A NovelIn bustling London during May, a striking woman of contrasting elegance and simplicity faces the vibrant world around her, while hidden stories of hope, struggle, and art unfold am…
Level C1ClassicsCharlotte Brontë: A MonographExplore the life and genius of one of the most remarkable women of her age through intimate letters and firsthand accounts that reveal the true spirit behind the literary legend, s…
Level C1ClassicsCharles Tyrrell; or, The Bitter Blood. Volumes I and IIIn a tranquil Hampshire estate, where nature’s renewal contrasts with human loss, deep secrets and shifting fortunes unfold amid a home shaped by generations.
Level C1ClassicsCharles Lever, His Life in His Letters, Vol. IIDive into a vivid correspondence capturing the trials and triumphs of a writer grappling with health, criticism, and creativity amid Florence’s charm.
Level C1ClassicsCharles Lever, His Life in His Letters, Vol. IDiscover the life and literary journey of Charles Lever through his own letters, revealing intimate insights and fresh perspectives on the Irish novelist behind beloved works like…
Level C1ClassicsCharles Lamb: A MemoirA devoted man battles life's hardships to protect his sister, whose tragic madness shadows their shared existence.
Level C1ClassicsCharles LambDive into the vivid life of a devoted Londoner whose days unfold amid the bustling streets, theaters, and coffee houses of the city.
Level C1ClassicsCharles DickensExplore the vibrant world behind literary styles as this work unpacks the artifice of romanticism and realism, revealing the optimistic spirit that breathes life into Dickens’s unf…
Level C1ClassicsCharles Baudelaire, His LifeDiscover the intimate life and striking presence of a young poet on the cusp of fame, as he navigates the artistic circles of 19th-century Paris with a unique blend of dandyism and…
Level C1ClassicsCharles Auchester, Volume 2 (of 2)A solitary violinist arrives at a German academy, navigating unfamiliar customs and a world of earnest, youthful scholars.
Level C1ClassicsCharles Auchester, Volume 1 (of 2)Amidst the vibrant world of 19th-century music, a young idealist navigates passion, genius, and the immortal spirit of Mendelssohn, capturing the heart of a musical era through fri…
Level C1ClassicsCharacters of Shakespeare's PlaysExplore the rich personalities behind Shakespeare's plays through the keen insights of a passionate thinker shaped by a unique upbringing and intellectual awakening, revealing the…
Level C1ClassicsCharacter Writings of the Seventeenth CenturyExplore vivid portraits of human nature through concise sketches that reveal timeless vices and quirks, from dissimulation to stupidity, tracing the rich tradition of character wri…
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.