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 C1ClassicsLife of John SterlingExplore the life of John Sterling, a man whose vibrant intellect and spirit were overshadowed by narrow religious judgments.
Level C1ClassicsLife of Johann Wolfgang GoetheDelve into the early life of Johann Wolfgang Goethe, exploring his family roots, childhood surroundings, and the nurturing influences that shaped the fiery spirit of one of literat…
Level C1ClassicsLife of Harriet Beecher Stowe: Compiled From Her Letters and Journals by Her Son Charles Edward StoweExplore the early life and heartfelt memories of a remarkable woman shaped by family, faith, and loss.
Level C1ClassicsLife of Frances Power Cobbe, as told by herself: with additions by the author, and introduction by Blanche AtkinsonA woman recounts her life marked by brilliant stories, deep friendships, and a passionate crusade against vivisection, all set against the backdrop of her gracious hospitality and…
Level C1ClassicsLife of Edwin Forrest, the American Tragedian. Volume 2 (of 2)Explore the turbulent life of a celebrated American tragedian who battles ruthless newspaper slander and fierce public criticism, yet rises through honest self-reflection and the s…
Level C1ClassicsLife of Edwin Forrest, the American Tragedian. Volume 1 (of 2)Explore the bold and exalted life of Edwin Forrest, a gifted American tragedian whose career challenges prejudices and reveals the clash between dramatic freedom and ascetic ideals…
Level C1ClassicsLife of Charles DickensExplore the turbulent early life and remarkable rise of a literary genius, tracing his childhood struggles, early career, and the creation of beloved characters that captured the s…
Level C1ClassicsLife in the Iron-Mills; Or, The Korl WomanIn a grimy iron-works town cloaked in smoke and despair, a furnace-tender’s life reveals the harsh realities of labor and lost dreams amid the suffocating fog of poverty and indust…
Level C1ClassicsLife in a German Crack RegimentIn a vivid exposé of the German military elite, the "Yellow Butterflies" regiment celebrates a storied anniversary with pomp while revealing the stark contrast between their noble…
Level C1ClassicsLife at High TideIn a quiet New England village, a humble widow and a struggling inventor confront the harsh realities of poverty and unfulfilled promise, revealing the resilience and character ben…
Level C1ClassicsLife and Literature: Over two thousand extracts from ancient and modern writers,: and classified in alphabetical orderA vast collection of over two thousand literary extracts spanning ancient to modern writers invites readers to explore wisdom, eloquence, and insight on life, actions, adversity, a…
Level C1ClassicsLife and Lillian GishStep into the quiet, reflective world of Lillian Gish, a serene and elusive actress whose calm resilience and profound loyalty shield her from the storms of fame.
Level C1ClassicsLife and Letters of Robert BrowningExplore the intimate correspondence and life of Robert Browning through letters and memories, revealing his family origins, early influences, literary beginnings, and the personal…
Level C1ClassicsLife and Gabriella: The Story of a Woman's CourageIn a sunlit Victorian parlor, Gabriella confronts the painful reality of her sister Jane's troubled marriage, vowing that Jane must never return to her unfaithful husband.
Level C1ClassicsLife and Death, and Other Legends and StoriesBetween the peaceful Plain of Life and the mysterious Plain of Death lies a shimmering river where gods govern fate and mortals weave joy and sorrow through love, labor, and sleep.
Level C1ClassicsLife Is a DreamAmidst stormy mountain passes and political intrigue, a mysterious prisoner’s fate intertwines with questions of reality and illusion, challenging the boundaries between dreams and…
Level C1ClassicsLife And Letters Of John Gay (1685-1732), Author of "The Beggar's Opera"Explore the vibrant life of a beloved 18th-century literary figure whose wit and friendships with luminaries like Pope and Swift shaped an era.
Level C1ClassicsLibrary of the best American literature: Containing the lives of our authors in story form, their portraits, their homes, and their personal traits, how they worked and what they wrote; choice selections from eminent writers, embracing great American poets and novelists, foremost women in American letters, distinguished critics and essayists, our national humorists, noted journalists and magazine contributors, popular writers for young people, great orators and public lecturersExplore the lives, homes, and personal traits of America's greatest authors alongside choice selections from poets, novelists, humorists, and orators who shaped the nation's litera…
Level C1ClassicsLibrary of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 13Explore a rich tapestry of literary history, from the earliest Gothic Bible translations to the poetic reflections of an Indian scholar bridging Eastern and Western cultures, revea…
Level C1ClassicsLibrary of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 12Delve into a vast treasury tracing the evolution of literature from ancient manuscripts to Enlightenment thought, featuring detailed accounts of influential works and figures like…
Level C1ClassicsLibrary of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 01Dive into a vast collection spanning all times and cultures, where expertly curated essays and selections reveal the evolution of human thought and literature.
Level C1ClassicsLha Dhu; Or, The Dark Day: The Works of William Carleton, Volume TwoNestled in a serene Irish valley, a tranquil village hides stories of joy and sorrow woven into its peaceful landscape.
Level C1ClassicsLetticeIn a sunlit Spanish village, young Lettice struggles to hold back tears as she faces her mother's fragile health and the quiet sorrow that grips her family, revealing a tender stor…
Level C1ClassicsLetters to his wife Mary BorrowTravel through 19th-century Europe as a weary yet curious husband writes heartfelt letters to his wife, sharing vivid accounts of quarantine, historic cities, wild landscapes, and…
Level C1ClassicsLetters to his mother, Ann Borrow, and other correspondentsExperience the vivid journeys and heartfelt correspondence of a traveler navigating cultural conflicts, linguistic curiosities, and distant lands, all while longing for home and co…
Level C1ClassicsLetters to an UnknownA man of sharp irony and self-control navigates society and official duties with a calm detachment, masking a keen intellect and critical eye.
Level C1ClassicsLetters to Madame Hanska, born Countess Rzewuska, afterwards Madame Honoré de Balzac, 1833-1846A passionate exchange unfolds between a rising literary star and a mysterious countess, revealing the intimate letters that chart their evolving connection over thirteen years.
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Two BridesTwo young women escape convent life to explore freedom, love, and friendship through heartfelt letters, revealing their inner struggles and dreams against the backdrop of Parisian…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Vol. 2 (of 2)Dive into intimate letters revealing the trials, friendships, and philosophical reflections of a poet recovering from illness, as he contemplates the nature of happiness, virtue, a…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Vol. 1 (of 2)Explore the intimate and unpublished correspondence of a towering Romantic poet, revealing his friendships, struggles, and literary life through letters to family, friends, and fel…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Peregrine PickleDive into the lively social whirl of post-Civil War Chicago, where parties, gossip, and colorful characters like Old Blobbs and young Boosey reveal a spirited, sometimes wild, wint…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of John Keats to His Family and FriendsExperience the intimate world of a young poet whose letters reveal his passionate spirit, creative struggles, and heartfelt connections with family and friends, capturing moments o…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of John Keats to Fanny Brawne: Written in the years MDCCCXIX and MDCCCXX and now given from the original manuscriptsExperience the intimate letters revealing the poet’s passionate love and torment during his final years, offering a vivid glimpse into the heart and soul behind his greatest works…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Horace Walpole — Volume IIDive into a vivid collection of 18th-century letters revealing the cultural, political, and social intrigues of England and France—from court scandals and literary debates to revol…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Horace Walpole — Volume IDive into a vivid collection of letters revealing 18th-century life, politics, and culture—from royal weddings and battles to art and personal reflections—offering an intimate glim…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of George Borrow to the British and Foreign Bible SocietyAn intrepid linguist immerses himself in the challenges of translating sacred texts into Mandchou and Gypsy dialects, navigating cultural nuances and linguistic puzzles with passio…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Edward FitzGerald, in Two Volumes. Vol. 2Explore intimate letters revealing a 19th-century scholar's struggles with ambition, loss, and his passion for Persian poetry and translation.
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Edward FitzGerald, in Two Volumes. Vol. 1Discover the intimate world of a gentle, witty literary figure through his heartfelt letters, revealing friendships, reflections, and the quiet humor that shaped his life beyond hi…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Edward FitzGerald to Fanny Kemble (1871-1883)A series of candid letters reveals the intimate friendship between Edward FitzGerald and Fanny Kemble, sharing reflections on life, literature, and personal moments from 1871 to 18…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from the Raven: Correspondence of L. Hearn with Henry WatkinDelve into the intimate correspondence revealing a sensitive writer's struggles with failing sight, his deep fascination with Japan’s culture, and his spiritual journey blending Bu…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from a Landscape PainterJourney through tranquil American landscapes and heartfelt reflections as a landscape painter shares intimate letters capturing nature’s beauty and the quiet joys of life, inviting…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from Switzerland and Travels in ItalyJourney through majestic landscapes and ponder the elusive nature of freedom and human longing as a traveler reflects on Switzerland’s rugged beauty and the yearning to transcend e…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from England, Volume 3 (of 3)Explore the turbulent history and impact of Bible translations in England, from Wickliffe’s controversial work to the fiery trials of Henry VIII’s era, revealing how scripture shap…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from England, Volume 1 (of 3)A foreign traveler arrives in England, offering vivid, firsthand letters that reveal the daily life, customs, and landscapes of the English with keen observation and a candid, impa…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from AmericaEmbark on a vivid journey through early 20th-century America, Canada, and the South Seas, captured in intimate letters that reveal the landscapes, people, and poetic reflections of…
Level C1ClassicsLetters Written During a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway, and DenmarkExplore a vivid journey through Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, where personal letters reveal intimate reflections on friendship, resilience, and the challenges of a woman forging her…
Level C1ClassicsLessons in the Shanghai DialectExplore the rich heritage of the Shanghai Dialect, a language spoken by millions and deeply rooted in ancient Chinese culture.
Level C1ClassicsLess than kinAmid the glittering social scenes and whispered judgments of the opera house, a young woman balances loyalty to her ailing uncle with the pressing demands of love and ambition, nav…
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.