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 C1ClassicsA Cruel EnigmaIn a world where passion defies conventions and inner desires clash with destiny, this novel unravels the complex psychology of love through the eyes of a poet and critic haunted b…
Level C1ClassicsA Crooked Path: A NovelIn a bustling London on the brink of change, a chance encounter saves a young boy from disaster, intertwining the fates of strangers navigating society’s demands and personal trial…
Level B2ClassicsA Country SweetheartA grieving family faces the devastating aftermath of a tragic injury to their only son, revealing deep wounds and hidden tensions beneath their sorrow.
Level B2ClassicsA Country Idyl, and Other StoriesIn the quiet New England town of Nineveh, childhood friends Nellie and John face the bittersweet challenges of love and change as a charming city youth stirs new feelings and tests…
Level C1ClassicsA Country Gentleman and His FamilyA brilliant Oxford student defies convention, choosing personal passions over expected academic success, sparking concern among his mentors.
Level C1ClassicsA Country Doctor and Selected Stories and SketchesOn a warm November day, a weary woman struggles through darkening fields, carrying a sleeping child toward a mysterious farmhouse light.
Level C1ClassicsA Counterfeit Presentment; and, The Parlour CarTwo young artists seek inspiration and friendship in a quiet rural hotel as autumn approaches, battling creative frustrations and life's uncertainties.
Level C1ClassicsA Commonplace Book of Thoughts, Memories, and Fancies.: 2nd ed.Explore a rich tapestry of personal reflections, literary musings, and ethical insights gathered from a lifelong habit of thoughtful note-taking.
Level B2ClassicsA CommentaryAn old road worker reflects on the harsh realities of poverty, lost hope, and the relentless march of progress that crushes the vulnerable.
Level C1ClassicsA Comedy of Masks: A NovelIn the fading shipbuilding district of Blackpool Dock, a young artist finds inspiration amid the picturesque decay and quiet bustle of a forgotten riveryard, capturing its haunting…
Level C1ClassicsA Collection of Stories, Reviews and EssaysIn a harsh Nebraska homestead, a worn old fiddler clings to memories of his musical past while his stern son demands toil and sacrifice.
Level C1ClassicsA Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 4Unearth rare Jacobean dramas including a mysterious double tragedy blending a chilling murder with a haunting tale akin to the Babes in the Wood.
Level C1ClassicsA Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 3Dive into a witty and lively early 17th-century comedy where verbal sparring and merriment unfold around the affectations of a foolish knight and the sincere friendship between nob…
Level C1ClassicsA Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 2Step into the world of early English drama with newly unveiled plays that blend sharp wit, stirring sea adventures, and lessons of Christian charity, featuring the daring exploits…
Level C1ClassicsA Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 1Dive into a vivid revival of forgotten Elizabethan drama where the ruthless spectacle of Nero’s reign unfolds through sharp wit, fierce conspiracies, and haunting classical echoes…
Level C1ClassicsA Collection of Kachári Folk-Tales and RhymesExplore the rich folklore and unique linguistic blend of the Kachári people through tales and rhymes collected from Assam's hill tribes, revealing a fascinating fusion of vocabular…
Level C1ClassicsA Circuit Rider's WifeA young bride joins her Methodist circuit-riding preacher husband, stepping into a world of rugged faith, church politics, and the struggles of rural ministry.
Level C1ClassicsA Cigarette-Maker's RomanceIn a modest Munich tobacconist's shop, lives intertwine against a backdrop of everyday struggle and quiet ambition, revealing the complex dramas hidden beneath ordinary existence i…
Level B2ClassicsA Christmas Tale: in One ActIn a humble fifteenth-century Parisian home, wooden statues and the glow of a dying fire set the stage for a poignant Christmas tale, where saints and simple family life intertwine…
Level C1ClassicsA Christmas Story: Man in His Element: or, A New Way to Keep HouseA widowed woman overwhelmed by managing servants and household chaos confronts her bachelor brother’s bold claim that men should run the house instead.
Level B2ClassicsA Christmas Accident and Other StoriesNeighborly tensions rise over a disputed fence and petty rivalries between the Gilton and Bilton families, where small slights and a troublesome dog spark a Christmas season filled…
Level C1ClassicsA Christian WomanA noblewoman reflects on her journey from limited education to intellectual empowerment amid Spain’s social upheaval, revealing the struggles and triumphs of a woman determined to…
Level C1ClassicsA Chosen Few: Short StoriesExplore a world where science meets imagination as a retired professional invents a device to control "negative gravity," a force that repels the earth’s pull, promising to lighten…
Level C1ClassicsA Chilhowee Lily: 1911Amid the rugged wilderness, a group of mountaineers contemplates a risky nocturnal venture under a luminous August moon, where delicate Chilhowee lilies bloom in striking contrast…
Level C1ClassicsA Child of the JagoIn the squalid streets of Shoreditch’s Jago, a child is born into a world of poverty and crime with little hope for escape.
Level C1ClassicsA Child of the Glens; or, Elsie's FortunesSet against the rugged beauty of Ireland’s northeastern coast, a proud, rebellious man wrestles with his divided family and ancient religious divides, revealing the quiet tension a…
Level C1ClassicsA Chicago PrincessA down-and-out traveler in Nagasaki contemplates his dwindling fortunes and distant dreams while gazing on a bustling harbor, caught between despair and a faint glimmer of hope tha…
Level B2ClassicsA Chautauqua IdylIn a rain-soaked meadow, a curious pink bachelor button recounts the wonders of Chautauqua—a magical lakeside retreat where people gather for music, lectures, and inspiration amid…
Level C1ClassicsA Charming Fellow, Volume IIIIn a genteel household simmering with quiet resentments and unspoken grievances, a strained marriage unfolds between Castalia and Algernon, revealing fragile pride, subtle manipula…
Level C1ClassicsA Charming Fellow, Volume IIAmid social soirées and musical rivalries, Algernon navigates the delicate tensions of admiration and jealousy within a circle of elegant acquaintances.
Level C1ClassicsA Charming Fellow, Volume IA concerned mother seeks advice about her son Algernon's unique genius and a tempting offer from a cousin, while a thoughtful young schoolmaster weighs the prospects and challenges…
Level B2ClassicsA Chariot of FireA desperate father races against time through foggy night towns, battling closed stations and indifferent strangers to reach his dying son in Gloucester.
Level C1ClassicsA Changed Man, and Other TalesA newly arrived cavalry regiment stirs curiosity in a quiet town, haunted by a mysterious, bone-rattling specter that follows them everywhere.
Level C1ClassicsA Change of AirA man seeks a refreshing escape from his troubled life, but finds that a change of air brings unexpected humor, danger, and a deep, tragic undercurrent.
Level C1ClassicsA Change in the CabinetIn a London household overlooking Hyde Park, Sir Charles Repton, a seasoned politician and wealthy solicitor, navigates the demands of high office and personal ambition during a tu…
Level C1ClassicsA Chance AcquaintanceA young woman embarks on a picturesque voyage up the Saguenay River, carrying the hopes and legacy of her abolitionist family.
Level C1ClassicsA Chambermaid's DiaryA chambermaid navigates the treacherous social terrain of Parisian households, recording sharp observations and biting critiques in her diary.
Level C1ClassicsA Chair on the BoulevardDive into a witty exploration of human nature where happiness is found not through pursuit but by chance, and cheerfulness prevails even amid life's snags.
Level C1ClassicsA Cathedral SingerAmid the towering Cathedral of St.
Level C1ClassicsA Cardinal SinIn a bustling city quarter, a young, uneducated girl entrusts a kind old scribe with a heart-wrenching letter to a distant Louis, revealing her quiet struggles and fragile hope ami…
Level C1ClassicsA Canadian Heroine, Volume 3: A NovelA man wrestles with troubling secrets and shifting affections as he becomes entangled in the fate of an old friend’s family, uncovering hidden truths and unspoken emotions amid unc…
Level C1ClassicsA Canadian Heroine, Volume 2: A NovelAmidst quiet preparations and hidden fears, Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsA Canadian Heroine, Volume 1: A NovelBeneath breathtaking Canadian skies, a young woman caught between childhood and womanhood dreams of distant England while navigating the tender, complex bond with her mother and th…
Level C1ClassicsA Bundle of LettersA young American woman ventures alone through Europe, sharing candid letters from Paris that reveal her bold observations on culture, gender roles, and society.
Level B2ClassicsA Budget of Christmas Tales by Charles Dickens and OthersIn the biting cold of Christmas Eve, miserly Scrooge scorns joy and generosity, valuing only his wealth.
Level C1ClassicsA Bride from the BushA sudden letter disrupts the Bligh family’s quiet morning, revealing Alfred’s unexpected marriage to an Australian bride from the Bush.
Level C1ClassicsA Breeze from the Woods, 2nd Ed.Escape the stifling sameness of city life and rediscover vitality through nature’s embrace, rustic meals, and the quiet wisdom of the woods.
Level C1ClassicsA Breath of Prairie and other storiesExperience the vast, untamed prairies through stories that reveal the rugged lives, deep nature love, and silent strength of plainsmen shaped by their wild environment.
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.