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 B2ClassicsIn a Quiet VillageIn a quiet village, the mysterious tailor Dan’l Coombe lives a life of strict routine and silent purpose, sparking curiosity with his secretive nighttime activities and unexpected…
Level B2ClassicsIn a Mysterious WayIn a bustling household where work never ceases, Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsIn a Green Shade: A Country CommentarySet in a tranquil village, this reflective commentary explores the rhythms of rural life, the wisdom gleaned from nature, and the enduring connections between neighbors, all seen t…
Level C1ClassicsIn a German PensionIn a German pension, guests navigate quirky cultural clashes and lively debates over food, health, and customs, revealing the peculiarities of daily life through sharp, humorous co…
Level C1ClassicsIn a Canadian Canoe; The Nine Muses Minus One, and Other StoriesDrift along the tranquil Backs of the Colleges in a Canadian canoe, where the whims of wind and water guide your journey through art, nature, and quiet meditation.
Level B2ClassicsIn VainA young man arrives in the bustling city of Kieff, eager to begin university life and escape his past.
Level B2ClassicsIn Those Days: The Story of an Old ManAs Samuel prepares his son for military service amidst community fears and family tensions, an old man's reflections reveal the struggles and hopes woven into a changing world.
Level C1ClassicsIn Pursuit of SpringA reflective journey unfolds through spring’s awakening landscapes and bustling city life, capturing moments of beauty and fleeting joy amid the crowd’s relentless pace.
Level B2ClassicsIn Pastures NewAn American titan of industry, accustomed to commanding respect at home, finds himself lost and humbled in foreign lands, struggling to navigate strange languages and customs—from…
Level C1ClassicsIn Partnership: Studies in story-tellingA tale unfolds through letters, news clippings, and documents revealing the scandalous decline and mysterious fate of a once-honorable British family, as gambling debts and secrets…
Level C1ClassicsIn Paradise: A Novel. Vol. IIA city sophisticate inherits a lakeside villa he never wanted, challenging his disdain for nature and solitude with unexpected encounters and reflections in this serene retreat nea…
Level C1ClassicsIn Paradise: A Novel. Vol. I.On a quiet summer Sunday near Munich, artists labor passionately in a sunlit studio surrounded by blooming gardens and scattered sculptures, where the sacred fire of creativity bur…
Level B2ClassicsIn Our TownIn a small Western town, the local newspaper office serves as the social hub, revealing intimate and often humorous details about its residents—from choir scandals to hidden debts—…
Level C1ClassicsIn Our Convent DaysA convent school where childhood innocence meets strict discipline is stirred by the arrival of Marianus, a mysterious young priest whose presence ignites the imaginations and secr…
Level C1ClassicsIn Old KentuckyIn the rugged Kentucky mountains, a spirited young woman rides an ox through spring's vibrant wilderness, defying both nature’s dangers and the encroaching progress marked by railr…
Level C1ClassicsIn Mr. Knox's CountryIn a wild, rugged landscape where ancient paths wind among cliffs and furze, a mysterious fox den draws the attention of hunters and locals alike.
Level B2ClassicsIn Midsummer Days, and Other TalesIn a radiant Northern midsummer, a bedridden old woman views her world through magical, color-shifting windowpanes, while a dove’s heavenly song stirs hope among a struggling famil…
Level C1ClassicsIn Madeira Place: 1887In a quiet alley near the docks, a diverse group of immigrants gathers nightly at Maison Sorel, where balloons, old war stories, and silent understanding reveal the hopes and hards…
Level C1ClassicsIn Luck at LastIn a tucked-away London bookshop where faded charm meets the hum of city life, the delicate art of second-hand bookselling unfolds, revealing a world where history, mystery, and th…
Level C1ClassicsIn League with Israel: A Tale of the Chattanooga ConferenceAn old rabbi’s deep faith and music intertwine with the lives of a young man and his sister caught between traditions and new friendships.
Level B2ClassicsIn Kali's Country: Tales from Sunny IndiaIn the shadow of Kali’s temple, a holy man completes a five-year vow of sacrifice, wrestling with inner turmoil despite outward piety.
Level C1ClassicsIn Honour Bound: An Original Play, in One Act.: (Suggested by Scribe's Five Act Comedy, "Une Chaine.")In a richly appointed study, a seasoned lawyer unravels the tangled affairs of love and law, while a young man returns from travels, confessing a new engagement that promises more…
Level B2ClassicsIn His StepsA devoted minister wrestles with how to truly follow Christ's example when a desperate stranger challenges his faith and compassion, setting a profound journey of sacrifice and mor…
Level B2ClassicsIn Happy ValleyIn a rugged mountain valley, a fiercely independent young woman clashes with a shy new schoolteacher who brings new ways and challenges to their tight-knit community.
Level C1ClassicsIn Great Waters: Four StoriesOn the island of Marken, a mad fisherman haunted by tragedy wields a mysterious curse feared by all, while love and rivalry entwine among the villagers who navigate the wrath of th…
Level C1ClassicsIn God's Way: A NovelExplore the rich inner life and moral struggles of Norway through a vivid, sympathetic narrative that reveals the true spirit of its people beyond picturesque landscapes.
Level C1ClassicsIn Exile, and Other StoriesIn a rugged Californian mining valley, a schoolmistress and a young miner's helper explore a hidden spring, uncovering the stark beauty and challenges of frontier life as unexpecte…
Level C1ClassicsIn Defence of Harriet ShelleyA sharp critique dismantles a popular biography of Percy Bysshe Shelley, exposing its fanciful style and biased portrayal of his personal life.
Level C1ClassicsIn Connection with the De Willoughby ClaimIn the sweltering heat of Talbot’s Cross-roads, Big Tom D’Willerby runs a bustling country store where laziness meets charm, and local gossip flows as freely as the goods on the sh…
Level C1ClassicsIn Brief AuthorityIn a genteel English drawing-room, a chance visit from Lady Harriet Elmslie stirs the poised Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsIn Black and WhiteIn a vibrant Northern Indian monastery where priests and wanderers mingle, an old holy man named Gobind shares timeless tales that blur the lines between creed and culture, reveali…
Level B2ClassicsIn Beaver Cove and ElsewhereIn a lively mountain settlement, a fierce rivalry ignites between two suitors vying for the spirited and captivating Armindy Hudgins, whose charm and daring set the stage for tensi…
Level B2ClassicsIn Bad Company, and other storiesBill Hardwick, a hardworking and skilled Australian farmer, strives to build a prosperous life with his capable wife Jenny on their rugged land.
Level C1ClassicsImpressions of Theophrastus SuchA solitary bachelor reflects deeply on the elusive nature of self-knowledge, exploring how others perceive him and the hidden follies he unknowingly shares with all humanity.
Level C1ClassicsImpressions and experiencesStep into the world of a 19th-century country newspaper, where a young boy’s memories blend with his father’s passionate fight against slavery through the printed word.
Level C1ClassicsImpressions and CommentsA series of personal reflections captures fleeting moments of life and thought, revealing humanity’s complexities through vivid urban scenes and meditations on nature, art, and soc…
Level C1ClassicsImperium in Imperio: A Study of the Negro Race Problem. A NovelA devoted mother’s fierce determination to educate her children sets in motion a powerful narrative of race, loyalty, and rebellion within a secret African American organization.
Level C1ClassicsImogen; Or, Only EighteenAt the lively estate of Grey Fells Hall, the Helmont family thrives on endless summer visitors and spirited gatherings—until a young, inexperienced guest arrives, stirring tensions…
Level C1ClassicsImmortal MemoriesExplore eloquent tributes to literary giants and the vibrant intellectual circles of historic English cities, revealing the rich legacies of poets, scholars, and the enduring power…
Level C1ClassicsImaginations and ReveriesDive into a rich mosaic of Irish nationalism, art, and spirituality as a restless intellect navigates the tensions between personal expression and collective identity, exploring th…
Level C1ClassicsImaginary InterviewsStep into the storied Easy Chair, a witness to decades of literary reflection and spirited dialogue, as it revives memories and questions the worthiness of those who dare to fill t…
Level C1ClassicsIllustrations of taxationIn a town caught between tradition and progress, the heir to a long-abandoned estate returns to reclaim his family home, uncovering the tensions hidden beneath the surface of chang…
Level C1ClassicsIllustrations of political economy, Volume 9 (of 9)In a bustling household on Budge Row, Jane Farrer navigates the challenges of family, ambition, and unexpected news that could change their future.
Level C1ClassicsIllustrations of political economy, Volume 8 (of 9)In a remote village, a devoted philosopher navigates the silence between worlds, eagerly awaiting news from distant lands while finding solace in his telescope and the quiet compan…
Level C1ClassicsIllustrations of political economy, Volume 7 (of 9)Under a midsummer moon in drought-stricken Yorkshire, two women keep vigil by a fading spring, hoping to ease the harshness of thirst and hardship in their parched land.
Level C1ClassicsIllustrations of political economy, Volume 4 (of 9)In a seemingly idyllic English county, harsh poverty underpins desperate lives, as laborers struggle with unemployment, crime, and fractured families amid fertile orchards and grow…
Level C1ClassicsIllustrations of political economy, Volume 3 (of 9)In the industrial shadows near Manchester, a weary factory worker and his ailing daughter navigate the harsh realities of poverty, labor, and community strife.
Level C1ClassicsIllustrations of political economy, Volume 2 (of 9)In the vibrant tropics of Demerara, two siblings return to their ancestral plantation after years abroad, confronting the complex realities of slavery and colonial life.
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.