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 C1ClassicsMirk Abbey, Volume 3 (of 3)As preparations for a grand Coming of Age celebration unfold at Mirk Abbey, the sudden arrival of the enigmatic Madame de Castellan stirs curiosity and old memories, promising unex…
Level C1ClassicsMirk Abbey, Volume 2 (of 3)Amidst memories of a daring sea rescue, a noble lady and her devoted maid confront a life-changing conversation that threatens their lifelong bond.
Level C1ClassicsMiriam's Schooling and Other PapersAmidst oppression and despair, a humble man receives a divine command to lead his people against overwhelming foes.
Level C1ClassicsMiriam Monfort: A NovelTorn between two worlds, a young woman born of English aristocracy and Jewish heritage navigates love, loss, and identity in a new American land.
Level C1ClassicsMiranda of the Balcony: A StoryAmidst swirling fog and whispered mysteries on the Scilly Isles, a short-sighted taxidermist's unexpected discovery unravels the enigmatic disappearance of Captain Warriner, drawin…
Level C1ClassicsMiracle Gold: A Novel (Vol. 3 of 3)A man discovers a startling family connection tied to an ancient legend of a missing bride and a mysterious foreign nobleman.
Level C1ClassicsMiracle Gold: A Novel (Vol. 2 of 3)In a lively London salon where wit masks serious undercurrents, a tense exchange unfolds between two men entangled by a secret contract and a woman who commands both admiration and…
Level C1ClassicsMinna Von BarnhelmA discharged officer struggles with debt and honor while navigating misunderstandings at a rustic inn, where loyalty, wit, and spirited exchanges reveal the complexities of post-wa…
Level C1ClassicsMinerva's Manoeuvres: The Cheerful Facts of a "Return to Nature"When the only cook falls ill, Minerva reluctantly agrees to leave the city for Clover Lodge’s countryside kitchen, sparking a humorous and heartfelt adventure filled with unexpecte…
Level C1ClassicsMind Amongst the Spindles. A Miscellany, Wholly Composed by the Factory GirlsDiscover the voices of young women laboring in the bustling mills of Lowell, Massachusetts, as they share poetry, essays, and reflections crafted during fleeting moments of leisure…
Level C1ClassicsMimi's MarriageIn a vivid portrait of Russian society, a charming yet shallow Mimi navigates love and flirtation against the breathtaking backdrop of the Caucasus, revealing the complexities and…
Level C1ClassicsMilton's Tercentenary: An address delivered before the Modern Language Club of Yale University on Milton's Three Hundredth Birthday.Celebrate the enduring genius and complex character of the poet whose epic verse and fierce convictions continue to shape English literature.
Level C1ClassicsMiltonExplore the life and mind of a seventeenth-century poet whose personal thoughts and feelings emerge vividly through autobiographical prose, revealing an intimate portrait beyond th…
Level C1ClassicsMiltonExplore the towering legacy of a poet whose soul is as radiant as a star, whose voice echoes like the sea, and whose life and works continue to reshape our understanding of art, po…
Level C1ClassicsMiltonExplore the life and work of a towering poet through a deep reflection on literary criticism, the challenges of understanding genius, and the intricate relationship between author,…
Level B2ClassicsMillbank;As the old squire lies in state, his sudden death casts a shadow over Millbank, where his grandson Frank faces a future tied to the grand estate—and the complex family tensions tha…
Level C1ClassicsMildred Arkell: A Novel. Vol. 3 (of 3)In a bustling legal office, new conductor Mr.
Level C1ClassicsMildred Arkell: A Novel. Vol. 1 (of 3)In a town divided by class and commerce, William Arkell, a well-educated gentleman, chooses to join his father’s manufacturing business, navigating the tensions between aristocracy…
Level C1ClassicsMike Fletcher: A NovelIn the lively heart of London’s Temple district, a young man entangles himself in the bohemian world of artists, courtesans, and idealists while drawing a nun away from her convent…
Level B2ClassicsMike Flannery On Duty and OffA dedicated express company worker faces the challenge of delivering a delicate cargo—a deceased Angora cat—while navigating the quirks of his slow assistant and a particular custo…
Level B2ClassicsMightier than the SwordA down-on-his-luck journalist races against time to catch the last train home, navigating London's bustling streets and the shifting world of journalism.
Level B2ClassicsMidnight WebsA seasoned commissionnaire with a missing sleeve recounts his overlooked wartime experiences alongside Her Majesty’s 156th Light Infantry, revealing grit, humor, and unexpected cam…
Level C1ClassicsMicrocosmography: or, a Piece of the World Discovered; in Essays and CharactersDive into vivid essays that reveal the quirks, vices, and virtues of 17th-century life through sharp character sketches, blending wit, piety, and keen observation to uncover the wo…
Level C1ClassicsMichael's CragA reluctant landlord returns to his bleak Cornish estate, haunted by dark memories and bound by duty to his ancestral home.
Level C1ClassicsMichael and His Lost Angel: A Play in Five ActsIn a world where celestial battles mirror human struggles, Michael confronts overwhelming darkness and personal exile.
Level B2ClassicsMichael O'HalloranIn the bustling city streets, young newsboy Mickey O'Halloran stands up against bullies and hardship with fierce loyalty and surprising courage, catching the attention of a compass…
Level B2ClassicsMichael McGrath, PostmasterIn the rugged Fraser Valley, a weary traveler encounters "Ould Michael," a proud ex-soldier turned postmaster whose orderly cabin and fierce loyalty hide stories of battle and surv…
Level C1ClassicsMga Paquigpulong sa Iningles ug BinisayaExplore a practical guide bridging Cebuano and English through thematic word lists, translated sentences, sample letters, and pronunciation tips, designed to help speakers navigate…
Level C1ClassicsMetzerott, ShoemakerA young shoemaker with socialist ideals navigates life in a humble workshop and kitchen, balancing his hopes for the future with the weight of family duty and community gatherings.
Level C1ClassicsMethods of AuthorsExplore the fascinating and varied methods behind the craft of writing, as this volume reveals how great authors—from Plato to Trollope—conceive, research, and refine their works,…
Level B2ClassicsMessalina of the suburbsIn a strict suburban household, Elsie Palmer navigates her mother's sharp reprimands and the thrill of secret outings with charming guests, revealing the simmering tensions beneath…
Level C1ClassicsMerton of the MoviesA daring New York society girl faces danger on the wild border, threatened by a ruthless outlaw until a strong, silent protector arrives just in time.
Level C1ClassicsMerry-Garden and Other StoriesStep into the faded charm of Merry-Garden, a once-thriving cherry orchard now surrendered to time and memory, where echoes of laughter and forgotten traditions linger amid crumblin…
Level C1ClassicsMerrie England in the Olden Time, Vol. 1Step back into the lively customs and colorful pastimes of old England, where jesters, conjurers, and merry-makers fill the scene with laughter and wonder.
Level C1ClassicsMerkland; or, Self SacrificeIn a household shadowed by a scandalous family secret, Anne Ross confronts the arrival of Alison Aytoun, whose presence threatens to stir old wounds and challenge loyalties.
Level C1ClassicsMerely Mary AnnIn a humble South London terrace, a quiet young woman known only as Mary Ann navigates the hardships of her modest life, capturing the attention of a moody lodger whose world is as…
Level C1ClassicsMercy Philbrick's ChoiceIn a New England village shadowed by loss and secrets, a widow’s haunted past and a vanished sea-faring son set the stage for Mercy Philbrick’s difficult choice between duty and de…
Level B2ClassicsMercadet: A Comedy in Three ActsIn a Parisian household teetering on the edge of ruin, servants play the part of actors as creditors close in and secrets swirl.
Level B2ClassicsMendel: A Story of YouthA Jewish family arrives in bustling London, displaced and hopeful, struggling to find their footing in a strange city where kindness and hardship collide.
Level C1ClassicsMen, Women, and GhostsA serene wedding day conceals the complex truths behind vows of love and trust, as the narrator reflects on marriage’s deeper realities and the stories that unfold beyond the cerem…
Level C1ClassicsMen's WivesIn a genteel London tavern, the “Bootjack Hotel,” Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsMen of Marlowe'sIn the quiet, monastic setting of Marlowe’s Inn, a cast of intriguing characters—from mystics to poets to charwomen—share tales filled with humor and bittersweet truths, inviting y…
Level C1ClassicsMemories: A Story of German LoveExplore tender memories of childhood and love through poetic prose that reflects on life’s mysteries, growth, and the bittersweet passage of time, inviting readers into a world of…
Level C1ClassicsMemories of HawthorneEnter the intimate world of Sophia Hawthorne through her profound letters, revealing a life entwined with love, artistry, and the vibrant literary circles of 19th-century America,…
Level C1ClassicsMemories and PortraitsExplore a tapestry of memories and portraits that weave together childhood, family, and the evolving identity of a nation divided by language, culture, and tradition—where foreignn…
Level B2ClassicsMemories and AnecdotesA vivid collection of personal memories unveils a lively childhood amidst distinguished company, colorful characters, and academic life in 19th-century New England.
Level C1ClassicsMemorials of the Life of Amelia Opie: Selected and Arranged from her Letters, Diaries, and other ManuscriptsExplore the intimate letters and diaries revealing the life of a compassionate woman whose literary talents and unwavering benevolence touched many.
Level C1ClassicsMemorials and Other Papers — CompleteExplore a collection of reflective essays and papers penned amid personal trials, offering vivid accounts of historical events, mysterious crimes, and philosophical musings, all re…
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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.