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 C1ClassicsThe Kādambarī of BāṇaA mystical parrot recounts a tale of love, loss, and rebirth spanning kings, ascetic maidens, and celestial vows, as two heroes navigate intertwined destinies shaped by divine curs…
Level C1ClassicsThe Kreutzer Sonata and Other StoriesIn a confined train car, a solitary, enigmatic man avoids conversation while fellow passengers reveal vivid tales of Russian life, customs, and moral struggles, hinting at deeper t…
Level B2ClassicsThe King's Threshold; and On Baile's StrandAn aging poet confronts the harsh pride and politics of King Guaire's court, where loyalty and art collide on the palace steps.
Level C1ClassicsThe King's MirrorA young prince ascends to the throne amid solemn ceremonies and strict guardians, grappling with the weight of kingship and childhood innocence.
Level C1ClassicsThe King's MessengerAt a dimly lit dinner, a man reunites with the enigmatic Miss Lorna, who reveals a secret plan to escape with a mysterious late guest.
Level C1ClassicsThe King of the MamozekelIn a hidden knoll untouched by predators, a monstrous moose-calf is born to a crafty mother who guards their secret refuge fiercely.
Level C1ClassicsThe King of the Dark ChamberIn a kingdom where streets are labyrinthine and the king remains unseen, strangers debate the mystery of power and privacy amid festive celebrations.
Level C1ClassicsThe King of Schnorrers: Grotesques and FantasiesIn 18th-century London, Joseph Grobstock, the clever "King of Schnorrers," navigates the colorful world of Jewish beggars and society’s quirks with wit and charm, revealing a vibra…
Level C1ClassicsThe Key to the Brontë Works: The Key to Charlotte Brontë's 'Wuthering Heights,' 'Jane Eyre,' and her other works.Unlock the hidden connections between Charlotte Brontë’s life and her novels as this revealing guide uncovers her true authorship of Wuthering Heights and explores the intimate met…
Level B2ClassicsThe Kentucky WarblerA young boy named Webster feels trapped by school and city life but is irresistibly drawn to the mysterious forest beyond his home, where nature's call promises adventure and a wor…
Level C1ClassicsThe KentonsIn a tranquil Midwestern town, the Kenton family navigates the comforts and challenges of middle age, weaving together memories of war, family bonds, and the quiet rhythms of home…
Level C2ClassicsThe Kathá Sarit Ságara; or, Ocean of the Streams of StoryHigh on Mount Kailasa, the divine couple Śiva and Párvatí share a moment of intimacy where Śiva begins to captivate her with enchanting stories, setting the stage for a vast collec…
Level C1ClassicsThe Just and the UnjustIn a modest town where gas lamps flicker to life, young Custer Shrimplin cherishes Sunday mornings filled with his father's vivid tales of a wild Western past, clashing with the un…
Level C1ClassicsThe Judgment of EveIn a small, stifling town where intellect and art are scarce, Aggie Purcell faces a choice between two very different suitors, each offering her a distinct future—but neither can f…
Level C1ClassicsThe Judgment HouseIn the dazzling world of opera and high society, a radiant debutante's triumph ignites a web of ambition, passion, and rivalry.
Level C1ClassicsThe Judgment Books: A StoryIn a serene Cornish retreat, an artist contemplates the ghosts of his past while his friend Frank wrestles with memories stirred by a forgotten Parisian concert program, setting th…
Level B2ClassicsThe Jucklins: A NovelAn awkward young man longs to prove himself in a society that mocks him, plotting a daring horse trade and a bold confrontation to earn respect and overcome his insecurities in nor…
Level C1ClassicsThe Joys of Being a Woman, and Other PapersExplore a collection of personal essays that celebrate the elusive joy of selfhood, capturing the playful spirit and unique delights of womanhood through thoughtful, witty reflecti…
Level C1ClassicsThe Joy of Living (Es lebe das Leben): A Play in Five ActsIn a Berlin drawing-room at the turn of the century, political intrigue and social tensions unfold as Count Kellinghausen's electioneering stirs unexpected alliances and rivalries,…![Cover of The Joy of Life [La joie de vivre] by Émile Zola](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf7m30e1ofc73dhc71g.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Joy of Life [La joie de vivre]On the rugged Normandy coast, a tender-hearted woman sacrifices everything for a talented but fragile man haunted by an all-consuming fear of death.
Level C1ClassicsThe Joy of Captain RibotIn the sunlit gardens of Valencia, Captain Ribot’s visit sparks a tender idyll and subtle comedy, revealing the rich tapestry of provincial Spanish life filled with warmth, humor,…
Level C1ClassicsThe Journal to StellaDive into the intimate letters of a complex friendship between a seasoned writer and his younger confidante, filled with personal reflections, societal observations, and the challe…
Level C1ClassicsThe Journal of a Disappointed ManA young naturalist chronicles his intense passion for science and the poignant struggle with a creeping illness that shatters his youthful dreams.
Level C1ClassicsThe Journal of Sir Walter Scott: From the Original Manuscript at AbbotsfordStep into the intimate world of a celebrated writer as he reflects on ambition, memory, and the passage of time through his private journal entries.
Level C1ClassicsThe Jolly CornerReturning after thirty years abroad, a man confronts the startling transformations of his childhood home and the city around it, uncovering unexpected insights about himself and th…
Level C1ClassicsThe Job: An American NovelIn a small Pennsylvania town, Una Golden navigates the confines of respectability and unfulfilled ambition, yearning for knowledge, love, and a life beyond the mundane roles prescr…
Level C1ClassicsThe Jews of Barnow: StoriesIn a Galician town where tradition and prejudice reign, Jewish life unfolds within strict boundaries of faith and isolation, revealing the tensions between heritage, identity, and…
Level C2ClassicsThe Jew of MaltaIn a world ruled by power and greed, a wealthy Jew in Malta maneuvers through intrigue and betrayal with cunning Machiavellian schemes.
Level C1ClassicsThe Jew and Other StoriesDive into a profound exploration of human nature and society through a masterful collection of tales that blend poetic insight with the vivid realities of Russian life, revealing t…
Level C1ClassicsThe JewIn a tranquil Italian seaside village, the Albergo della Grotta—once a noble villa—welcomes a diverse crowd, from local workers to quiet tourists, all drawn to its unique grotto di…
Level C1ClassicsThe Jest Book: The Choicest Anecdotes and SayingsDive into a lively collection of timeless jests, witty anecdotes, and clever repartees that have entertained generations, carefully curated to delight readers with humor both old a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Jervaise ComedyAmid a lively dance at the Jervaise Hall, an eerie thirteenth strike of the clock hints at an unfolding mystery that disrupts the evening’s charm and draws a sharp contrast between…
Level C1ClassicsThe Jealousy of le Barbouillé: (La Jalousie du Barbouillé)A jealous husband, tormented by his wife's behavior, seeks counsel from a pompous doctor whose pedantic ramblings only deepen the absurdity.
Level C1ClassicsThe Jealousies of a Country TownIn a provincial town steeped in fading nobility, rivalries ignite around the enigmatic Chevalier de Valois while old-world honor clashes with new ambitions, revealing the complex s…
Level B2ClassicsThe JamesonsA quiet village’s long-held tradition of no boarders is shattered when a well-to-do family opens their home to strangers from the city, stirring curiosity and upheaval among neighb…
Level C2ClassicsThe Jacket (The Star-Rover)A man condemned to life imprisonment reveals his haunting ability to transcend time and inhabit his past lives, grappling with a fiery wrath that has doomed him across centuries.
Level B2ClassicsThe Jack-Knife ManA weathered man clings to his homemade shanty-boat, his only true home, despite tempting offers to sell it.
Level B2ClassicsThe Isles of SunsetAmidst towering sea cliffs and wild birds, a solitary fisherman named David wrestles with a divine calling after a mysterious vision urges him to follow a shining figure across the…
Level C1ClassicsThe Island PhariseesA young man named Shelton embarks on a daring journey off the well-trodden path, confronting the tension between tradition and the courage to explore the unknown.
Level C1ClassicsThe Irrational Knot: Being the Second Novel of His NonageAn Irish-American electrical engineer navigates the clash of cultures and ambitions amid the early days of telephone invention in London, revealing the tensions between American in…
Level B2ClassicsThe Iron WomanIn a world where childhood means both command and rebellion, Elizabeth Ferguson reigns with fearless audacity, challenging family rules and social expectations while navigating the…
Level C1ClassicsThe Iron Rule; Or, Tyranny in the HouseholdIn a household ruled by rigid morality and cold discipline, a young boy’s innocent friendship defies his father’s harsh commands, revealing the clash between strict authority and t…
Level C1ClassicsThe Invisible LodgeA head-forester’s daughter can only marry the man who defeats her in chess within seven weeks—a challenge blending wit, strategy, and unexpected romance.
Level C1ClassicsThe Inventions of the IdiotA hapless boarder in a high-class home dreams up whimsical inventions to improve civilized life, starting from the trials of a disastrously cooked steak.
Level B2ClassicsThe Invaders, and Other StoriesA volunteer joins a battalion ordered on a mysterious expedition in the Caucasus, eager to witness the realities of war firsthand.
Level C1ClassicsThe Invader: A NovelA mysterious portrait of a scandalous ancestress sparks intrigue at an Oxford gathering, unveiling tales of forbidden love, theatrical escape, and daring bravery.
Level C1ClassicsThe IntruderA man haunted by his own calculated crime wrestles with guilt, desire, and a fractured marriage as he navigates a complex pact of friendship and betrayal with his wife.
Level B2ClassicsThe IntriguersIn snowy 1888 London, struggling violinist Nello Corsini and his sister face harsh poverty until a mysterious stranger recognizes Nello’s extraordinary talent, setting in motion a…
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.