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 C1ClassicsEn RouteIn the quiet of St.
Level C1ClassicsEmpty chairsStep behind the scenes of Victorian theatre life, where royal visits, unexpected dramas, and heartfelt friendships illuminate the world beyond the stage.
Level C1ClassicsEmmanuel Burden, merchant, of Thames St., in the city of London, exporter of hardwareFollow the life and legacy of Emmanuel Burden, a London merchant and Justice of the Peace, whose story intertwines commerce, faith, and empire.
Level C1ClassicsEmily Fox-Seton : being The making of a marchioness and The methods of Lady WalderhurstA resourceful and good-natured woman navigates London life on a slender income, using her practical skills and charm to carve a place for herself among the idle and helpless.
Level C1ClassicsEmile ZolaWitness the fierce struggle of an epic poet torn between romantic roots and relentless realism, as he crafts grand narratives that capture life's raw truths yet wrestle with the li…
Level C1ClassicsEmbarrassmentsA young writer seizes the chance to review a celebrated novelist’s new work, hoping to impress both the literary world and the author himself.
Level C1ClassicsElster's Folly: A NovelOn a radiant August morning, the quiet village of Calne awakens to the bustle brought by a new railway line, setting the stage for intertwining lives across social classes and the…
Level C1ClassicsElsket and Other StoriesA traveler ventures into a remote Norwegian fjord, bound by a solemn oath to keep a secret and navigate a mysterious land where fishing legends and Viking descendants like Elsket a…
Level C1ClassicsElsie VennerA young woman, Elsie Venner, bears an inherited venomous influence that shapes her nature and moral choices, challenging the ideas of sin and responsibility.
Level B2ClassicsElsie Marley, HoneyA pale, expressionless young woman leaves her sheltered life behind to live in a bustling New York boarding-house with her eccentric cousin, facing the challenges of independence a…
Level C1ClassicsElsie Lindtner: A sequel to "The Dangerous Age"Elsie Lindtner confronts the trials of middle age with restless energy, fleeing a loveless marriage and seeking freedom through travel, adventure, and unexpected new connections.
Level B2ClassicsElsieIn a sunlit house known as “Noah’s Ark,” a quack doctor thrives by treating those the official physician has abandoned, aided by Elsie—a spirited girl saved from blindness whose my…
Level C1ClassicsElocution Simplified: With an Appendix on Lisping, Stammering, Stuttering, and Other Defects of Speech.Unlock the power of your voice with practical guidance on reading, speaking, and overcoming speech defects like stammering and lisping.
Level C1ClassicsElmer GantryA charmingly brash college football captain with a powerful voice and a thirst for life stumbles through wild nights and fierce loyalty in small-town Missouri, setting the stage fo…
Level C1ClassicsEllen Middleton—A TaleIn a town graced by a majestic cathedral, a devoted clergyman reflects on faith, childhood memories, and the sacred traditions that shape his life.
Level B2ClassicsElkan Lubliner, AmericanIn the bustling world of a Lower East Side garment shop, two partners grapple with loyalty, family ties, and the challenges of immigrant life as one debates sending money to bring…
Level C1ClassicsElizabethan & Jacobean PamphletsDive into the vibrant world of Elizabethan and Jacobean pamphlets, where sharp wit, political intrigue, and vivid social sketches unfold in prose and verse, revealing voices that s…
Level C1ClassicsElizabeth and Her German GardenAmidst a wild, neglected garden in the German countryside, a woman finds solace and joy in nature's changing seasons, reflecting on the beauty, history, and quiet mysteries surroun…
Level B2ClassicsElizabeth Visits AmericaA young woman, seeking freedom from a troubled marriage, joins her eccentric relatives on a lively automobile journey through Europe filled with humor, family dynamics, and unexpec…
Level B2ClassicsElizaA man reflects on his modest life with Eliza, exploring the delicate balance of respectability, taste, and financial constraint in their marriage, revealing the humor and challenge…
Level C1ClassicsEline VereAmid a stirring revolt against old Dutch literary traditions, a new generation of young writers bursts forth with passion and innovation, challenging the established norms and igni…
Level C1ClassicsEli's Children: The Chronicles of an Unhappy FamilyIn a quiet village, tradition clashes with change as an old church clerk resists newfangled stoves and modern ideas threatening the sanctity of the ancient church.
Level C1ClassicsElements of Criticism, Volume III.Explore the art of comparison in language, revealing how unusual resemblances and contrasts can instruct the mind and delight the heart.
Level C1ClassicsElementary Guide to Literary CriticismUnlock the art of literary criticism with clear guidance on analyzing form, content, and spirit across poetry, fiction, and drama.
Level C1ClassicsEleanorIn a secluded villa near Rome, a young American woman arrives unexpectedly, stirring tension and curiosity among her English hosts.
Level C1ClassicsElder Conklin and Other StoriesIn a Kansas prairie town, a cultured schoolmaster navigates the rough manners and sharp tongues of the Conklin family, especially their spirited daughter whose curiosity and candid…
Level C1ClassicsElbow-Room: A Novel Without a PlotAmid the pressures of crowded city life, a man struggles to preserve his individuality against conformity and competition.
Level C1ClassicsEl OmbúBeneath the vast, solitary ombú tree on the Argentine pampas, an old man recounts the haunting tale of a once-great estate now fallen to ruin, where memories and mysterious whisper…
Level C1ClassicsEl BuscapiéDive into a curious literary puzzle where a mysterious work attributed to Cervantes challenges critics and seekers alike.
Level C1ClassicsEight or Nine Wise Words about Letter-WritingDiscover the whimsical art of letter-writing, packed with practical tips, charming anecdotes, and a touch of Wonderland magic to make your correspondence both delightful and effici…
Level C1ClassicsEight Dramas of CalderonAmid noble intrigues and shifting alliances in Don Luis’ palace, characters navigate love, honor, and deception with wit and passion.
Level C1ClassicsEgyptian Tales, Translated from the Papyri: First series, IVth to XIIth dynastyDive into a vivid collection of ancient Egyptian stories spanning the IVth to XIIth dynasties, blending marvels, adventures, and character-driven tales.
Level B2ClassicsEgholm and his GodIn a rain-soaked town, young Sivert finds strange delight in a gloomy day while his father, Egholm, struggles with inner turmoil and the weight of secret beliefs, casting a shadow…
Level C1ClassicsEffie Ogilvie: the story of a young life; vol. 1In a Scottish country estate, Effie Ogilvie navigates the complexities of family, expectations, and the subtle hardships hidden beneath polite society.
Level C1ClassicsEffie Ogilvie: the story of a young life (Complete)In a quiet country parish, Effie Ogilvie navigates the complexities of family expectations and the subtle ironies of fate under the watchful but flawed eye of her well-meaning fath…
Level C1ClassicsEdward FitzGerald and "Posh": "Herring Merchants"Discover the heartfelt letters between a great poet and his fisherman friend, revealing a tender, misunderstood side of Edward FitzGerald as they navigate friendship, humility, and…
Level C1ClassicsEdward BurtonTwo Harvard friends drift through the serene beauty of Bar Harbor’s Frenchman’s Bay, where idyllic nature meets refined society.
Level B2ClassicsEdna's Sacrifice and Other StoriesOn a bleak, rain-soaked night, Aunt Edna reveals the heart-wrenching story of Lilly, a fragile young woman shattered by tragic news, weaving a tale of love, loss, and sacrifice tha…
Level B2ClassicsEditorial Wild OatsA thirteen-year-old printer's apprentice takes the helm of a small-town newspaper, unleashing sharp satire and uproarious lampoons that ignite the community and stir up rival edito…
Level C1ClassicsEden: An EpisodeAmid swirling rumors and hidden pasts, a young financier's engagement to a society debutante sparks intrigue in New York’s elite.
Level C1ClassicsEdelweiss: A StoryAmidst the charming tales of rural life and human character, this story weaves gentle drama and reflection into a tapestry of heartfelt moments, inviting readers to explore the dep…
Level C1ClassicsEcstasy, A Study of Happiness: A NovelIn a quiet boudoir bathed in soft lamplight, Dolf Van Attema visits his withdrawn sister-in-law, Cecile, whose fragile health and gentle melancholy hint at a life lived in introspe…
Level C1ClassicsEchoes of the WarIn a cramped London basement, four spirited charwomen share tea and tales amidst the echoes of war, blending humor and hardship as they navigate their modest lives and the lingerin…
Level C1ClassicsEbrietatis Encomium: or, the Praise of DrunkennessExplore a spirited defense of drunkenness as a timeless, universal practice that brings joy, health, and wit, supported by lively quotations and a playful tone that challenges conv…
Level B2ClassicsEben Holden's Last Day A-FishingA peaceful summer visit to a quiet village unfolds with warm family moments, old legends, and the gentle charm of fading memories.
Level C1ClassicsEating in Two or Three LanguagesA returning traveler launches a humorous campaign to savor the familiar, hearty dishes of home after enduring foreign fare and wartime rationing.
Level B2ClassicsEatin' Crow; and The Best Man in GarotteIn a rough mining camp buzzing with hope and suspicion, newcomer Charley Muirhead stirs the pot with his fierce temper and mysterious past, challenging a grumbling local and offeri…
Level C1ClassicsEasy come, easy goA rugged cowboy’s skill and temper clash with the demands of a new, wealthy owner determined to tame the Wild West way of 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.