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 C1ClassicsCourt Netherleigh: A NovelAmidst the serene Berkshire countryside, the stately Court Netherleigh stands as a beacon of tradition and care, where Miss Margery and two young women await the arrival of visitor…
Level C1ClassicsCountry NeighborsIn a quiet country house, Amelia Maxwell, a solitary woman haunted by past romance, finds her peaceful routine disrupted when a long-lost acquaintance unexpectedly arrives, stirrin…
Level C1ClassicsCountry LuckA city merchant’s family spends a summer on a rustic farm, where youthful innocence meets social contrasts and unexpected friendships blossom.
Level C1ClassicsCounter-currentsExploring the surge of modern sentiment that shapes social, political, and moral attitudes, these essays challenge the influence of emotion over reason in issues from labor and wom…
Level C1ClassicsCount Bunker: Being a Bald Yet Veracious Chronicle Containing Some Further Particulars of Two Gentlemen Whose Previous Careers Were Touched Upon in a Tome Entitled "The Lunatic at Large"A distinguished Continental nobleman arrives in London, stirring society with his charm and mysterious past, yet he yearns for a different kind of life beyond diplomatic receptions…
Level C1ClassicsCottage FolkIn the fading twilight of the Sussex Downs, village life stirs as the "hoppers" light their campfires near an old farmstead, weaving a vivid tapestry of rural characters and rustic…
Level C1ClassicsCosmopolis — CompleteIn the eternal city of Rome, a drama unfolds among worldly cosmopolites whose fleeting passions contrast with the city's timeless grandeur.
Level C1ClassicsCornelius O'Dowd Upon Men And Women And Other Things In GeneralA charming raconteur reflects on a life of dashed hopes, lost estates, and unfulfilled ambitions, inviting readers into his witty and candid musings on society, fortune, and the ar…
Level C1ClassicsCorleone: A Tale of SicilyIn a Sicilian tale of family, love, and personal conflict, two brothers navigate their contrasting temperaments and past mistakes—one embittered and disillusioned, the other a gent…
Level C1ClassicsConversationIn a Texas town where honor is defended with guns, a deadly dispute over a horse trade ignites a tense rivalry between Jim Begley, a feared gunman, and Curly Stewart, whose love fo…
Level C1ClassicsConundrums, Riddles and Puzzles: Containing one thousand of the latest and best conundrums, gathered from every conceivable source, and comprising many that are entirely new and originalDive into a vast collection of clever conundrums, riddles, and arithmetical puzzles that challenge wit and wordplay, perfect for sparking lively conversation and mental agility in…
Level C1ClassicsContributions to All The Year RoundStep into a world where imagination meets reality in a new weekly journal that captures the spirit of life with earnest devotion.
Level C1ClassicsContemporary American Literature: Bibliographies and Study OutlinesExplore a carefully curated guide to American literature since 1914, emphasizing experimental works and diverse literary trends.
Level C1ClassicsContact, and Other StoriesIn post-war London, a weary woman unexpectedly reconnects with a vivid, charming stranger whose presence stirs memories and challenges her weary outlook, setting the stage for enco…
Level C1ClassicsConsequencesChildren learning a mischievous new game face the strict rules of their nurse, revealing sibling rivalries and charming innocence amid the constraints of their nursery life during…
Level C1ClassicsConscience — CompleteA man who escaped poverty through marriage hosts vibrant weekly gatherings where ideas on philosophy, politics, society, and religion ignite lively debates among old comrades and n…
Level C1ClassicsConrad in Quest of His Youth: An Extravagance of TemperamentHaunted by memories of youth and lost ambitions, a man returns to Paris seeking to recapture the vibrant spirit and passion of his past, only to confront the changes in the city—an…
Level C1ClassicsConiston — CompleteIn a rugged mountain village shaped by nature and tradition, a stirring love story unfolds amid political intrigue and social strife during the turbulent Boss-Era.
Level C1ClassicsConingsby; Or, The New GenerationAmid the shifting tides of 19th-century England, a young aristocrat confronts the moral decay threatening his class and the nation's political future.
Level C1ClassicsConfessions of a Young ManA young man rebels against Victorian ideals, seeking truth in art, love, and life amid the bohemian scenes of Paris and London.
Level C1ClassicsConfessions of a Young Lady: Her Doings and MisdoingsA spirited young girl, dubbed "The Witch" at her strict school, dreams of becoming a theatrical sensation like the famed Infant Roscius.
Level C1ClassicsConfessions of a Summer Colonist (from Literature and Life)A fragile summer colony teeters between rustic simplicity and emerging luxury, where informality reigns and cottages nestle among wildflowers by a pristine river.
Level C1ClassicsConfessions and CriticismsA writer reflects on his journey from engineering to literature, sharing candid insights into his early works, the challenges of publishing, and the evolving art of storytelling sh…
Level C1ClassicsCondensed NovelsAn orphan boy with a sharp scientific mind clashes with aristocratic prejudices in a sprawling estate where skepticism meets tradition, and youthful rivalry ignites amid deadly dan…
Level C1ClassicsConcerning Lafcadio Hearn; With a Bibliography by Laura StedmanExplore the complex life and literary mind of Lafcadio Hearn, a man shaped by his surroundings yet lacking firm character, whose unique vision and storytelling echo others' tales w…
Level C1ClassicsConcerning Isabel CarnabyIn a glittering London dinner party, politics, art, and society intertwine as sharp-witted guests reveal ambitions, alliances, and the subtle power plays shaping their lives.
Level C1ClassicsComrades: A Drama in Three ActsIn a cozy home where a veteran warrior embraces married life, the clash between past battles and new beginnings unfolds with warmth and wit.
Level C1ClassicsCompromisesExplore the art of conversation as a vital link between minds, revealing how dialogue enriches social life beyond mere information exchange.
Level C1ClassicsComplete Plays of John GalsworthyIn a London household divided by class and politics, a drunken encounter between a wealthy young man and a destitute lodger sparks a tense drama of social justice and hidden secret…
Level C1ClassicsComplete Original Short Stories of Guy De MaupassantDive into a vast collection of gripping tales exploring human nature, society, and unexpected twists.
Level C1ClassicsCommonplace, and other short storiesThree sisters navigate love, society, and family ties in a quiet seaside town, where appearances mask deeper desires and secrets.
Level C1ClassicsCommercialism and JournalismExplore the hidden forces shaping American journalism as this incisive study reveals the clash between editorial integrity and commercial pressures, questioning who truly molds pub…
Level C1ClassicsComic Tragedies: Written by 'Jo' and 'Meg' and Acted by The 'Little Women'In a humble garret, four sisters transform everyday objects into costumes and sets, creating enchanting plays filled with witches, knights, and ghosts.
Level C1ClassicsComic ArithmeticDive into a witty exploration of numbers where arithmetic meets satire, revealing how addition, subtraction, and multiplication shape not just sums, but society itself.
Level C1ClassicsComedy of Marriage and Other TalesIn a world where love is constrained by society’s watchful eyes and endless obligations, a passionate affair unfolds through stolen moments and whispered desires, revealing the bit…
Level C1ClassicsComediettas and FarcesStep into a world of sharp wit and lively humor with a collection of farces crafted for private performance, blending original plots and clever adaptations that capture the vibrant…
Level C1ClassicsColonial Born: A Tale of the Queensland bushIn the rugged Queensland bush, a solitary selector named Taylor carves out a humble life on his land, facing isolation, skepticism, and the harsh realities of frontier existence am…
Level C1ClassicsColonel Starbottle's ClientIn the blazing heat of Rough and Ready, a fiery lawyer known as Colonel Starbottle prepares for a peculiar client’s case rooted in a deadly quarrel.
Level C1ClassicsColonel Quaritch, V.C.: A Tale of Country LifeA battle-worn soldier leaves his career behind to settle in the quiet countryside, haunted by the memory of a mysterious woman’s face that has lingered through years of war and har…
Level C1ClassicsColonel Carter's Christmas and The Romance of an Old-Fashioned GentlemanIn the shadowed days of Colonel Carter's New York struggles, a tense rivalry erupts between the steadfast Virginian and a scathing financier, leading to an unexpected celebration f…
Level C1ClassicsCollectanea de Diversis Rebus: Addresses and PapersA passionate call for public recreation grounds highlights Norwich’s urgent need for open spaces to promote health and wellbeing amid rapid urban growth.
Level C1ClassicsColin Clink, Volume 3 (of 3)In a misty London morning, Colin unexpectedly encounters the fierce Jerry Clink, leading him to shadow the man through shadowy streets and secret meetings.
Level C1ClassicsColin Clink, Volume 1 (of 3)Born into poverty and scorned by his own family, Colin Clink faces a harsh world with only the hope of rising above his humble beginnings.
Level C1ClassicsColas BreugnonIn the heart of Burgundy, a spirited narrator channels the lively spirit of his forebears, sharing candid stories filled with humor and warmth amid the looming shadows of war.
Level C1ClassicsCoffee and ReparteeIn a lively boarding house, a sharp-tongued group of gentlemen gather around breakfast, exchanging witty banter and probing each other's quirks—where umbrellas, rare books, and dry…
Level C1ClassicsCobwebs from an Empty SkullDive into a collection of witty fables where cunning animals and clever humans reveal timeless truths through sharp, unexpected tales.
Level C1ClassicsCoasting BohemiaExplore the vibrant world of Victorian art and theatre through intimate essays and personal reflections, revealing how the Bohemia of the past shaped creativity and challenged the…
Level C1ClassicsCoaches and CoachingExplore the elegance and complexity of coaches and carriages, where comfort meets pride and the thrill of travel intertwines with social status.
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.