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 B2ClassicsThe Competitive NephewIn a bustling cloak and suit business, two partners face betrayal as trusted employees break away to rival them, while a demanding customer with a mysterious influence stirs tensio…
Level B2ClassicsThe Common LotIn the shadow of a powerful industrialist's funeral, complex emotions and hidden desires stir among mourners, revealing the tangled lives connected to the late Powers Jackson.
Level C1ClassicsThe Common LawA solitary artist’s quiet work is interrupted by a mysterious woman who simply walks into his studio, sparking a tense confrontation that hints at deeper secrets and unexpected con…
Level B2ClassicsThe Commission in LunacyIn 1828 Paris, the ambitious Baron de Rastignac navigates high society’s glittering facade and its hidden debts, while his friend, the insightful doctor Bianchon, reveals the harsh…
Level B2ClassicsThe Comings of Cousin AnnIn the growing town of Ryeville, old veterans gather on the courthouse porch, swapping stories of past battles and daily life, while the arrival of Cousin Ann stirs new events in t…
Level C1ClassicsThe Comical Adventures of Twm Shon Catty (Thomas Jones, Esq.),: Commonly known as the Welsh Robin HoodA folk hero known as the Welsh Robin Hood, Twm Shon Catty charms rural Wales with his mischievous exploits and comic feats, captivating audiences from humble cottages to bustling L…
Level C1ClassicsThe Comforts of HomeAn old colonial house with a storied past challenges its new occupant as he navigates the quirks of antique furnishings, strict lease terms, and the chaotic arrival of movers deter…
Level C2ClassicsThe Comedy of ErrorsTwin sets of identical twins spark chaos and confusion in a bustling ancient city where mistaken identities lead to comic mishaps, legal threats, and heartfelt reunions.![Cover of The Comedies of William Congreve: Volume 1 [of 2] by William Congreve](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da7fqbeqoens73dd6lfg.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Comedies of William Congreve: Volume 1 [of 2]Dive into sharp wit and biting satire as this collection exposes the follies of high society with clever dialogue and scandalous intrigue, challenging notions of morality and manne…
Level C1ClassicsThe Comedies of Terence: Literally Translated into English Prose, with NotesA young Athenian falls in love with a mysterious woman whose true identity sparks conflict and mistaken intentions amid arranged marriages and family secrets.
Level C1ClassicsThe Comedies of Carlo GoldoniStep into the vibrant world of 18th-century Venice, where a playwright transforms Italian theatre by blending keen observation with genial humor, capturing the fading light of a pr…
Level B2ClassicsThe ComedienneIn a serene Polish village, a provincial theater troupe’s vibrant life unfolds against rustic landscapes, where Janina, a comedienne, faces the blurred lines between tragedy and co…
Level C1ClassicsThe Combined MazeIn the shadow of a dreary London life, young Ranny defies his humble origins through relentless physical vigor and an unquenchable thirst for adventure.
Level C1ClassicsThe Colour of LifeExplore the subtle hues that embody life's true essence beyond the vivid red of violence, as a child’s vibrant presence restores nature’s delicate colors amidst the muted tones of…
Level C1ClassicsThe Colossus: A NovelHaunted by a troubled past and a fading career in journalism, Henry DeGolyer embarks on a mysterious assignment in Costa Rica, where ambition and intrigue intertwine in a quest tha…
Level C1ClassicsThe Colloquies of Erasmus, Volume I.Dive into lively dialogues that explore education, faith, and everyday life with sharp wit and candid insight, blending classical allusions with plainspoken English to challenge an…
Level C1ClassicsThe Colleen Bawn; or, the Brides of GarryowenIn a tangled web of love and loyalty, Hardress Cregan faces a secret family bargain and a fierce rivalry over Anne Chute’s heart, while his devoted, maimed foster-brother stands un…
Level C1ClassicsThe Collectors: Being Cases mostly under the Ninth and Tenth CommandmentsAmid smoky taverns and art debates, an insider reveals the untold truths behind celebrated painters and the murky world of art collecting, exposing passion, forgery, and rivalry be…
Level C1ClassicsThe Collector: Essays on Books, Newspapers, Pictures, Inns, Authors, Doctors, Holidays, Actors, PreachersExplore lively essays that delve into the history of books, newspapers, and London’s bustling taverns, revealing the colorful characters and social changes behind the city's vibran…
Level C1ClassicsThe Collection of AntiquitiesIn a quiet provincial town, the proud Marquis d’Esgrignon clings to his ancient noble heritage amid the upheavals of post-revolutionary France, navigating loss, loyalty, and the st…
Level B2ClassicsThe Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 12: In MotleyDive into a quirky, humorous exploration of nature and human folly through the eyes of a child narrator, blending tall tales, animal lore, and playful observations in a delightfull…
Level C1ClassicsThe Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 11: AntepenultimataDive into a sharp, provocative exploration of political ideologies where socialism, anarchism, and nihilism clash and intertwine, revealing the fragile balance between order and ch…
Level C1ClassicsThe Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 10: The OpinionatorDive into sharp wit and biting critique as the narrator dissects the flood of contemporary novels, exposing their flaws and pondering the fading art of storytelling amid a sea of m…
Level C1ClassicsThe Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 09: Tangential ViewsExplore sharp, witty reflections on civilization’s quirks, from the fading human sense of smell to the curious significance of famous noses throughout history, revealing hidden ins…
Level C1ClassicsThe Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 08: Negligible Tales, On With the Dance, EpigramsA young man recounts his bizarre ordeal after obeying his mother’s dark request to “remove the Coroner” following his father’s sudden death, revealing a twisted tale of family loya…
Level C1ClassicsThe Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume 01In a distant future, a historian examines the rise and catastrophic fall of ancient America's self-governing republic, revealing the inherent flaws and human nature that doomed its…
Level C1ClassicsThe Collected Works in Verse and Prose of William Butler Yeats, Vol. 4 (of 8): The Hour-glass. Cathleen ni Houlihan. The Golden Helmet. The Irish Dramatic MovementIn a world where wisdom clashes with folly, Teig the Fool challenges the learned to see beyond visible truths, revealing a mystical realm where angels are near and luck is more tha…
Level C1ClassicsThe Collaborators: 1896Two ambitious journalists debate the merits and dangers of collaboration, balancing dark imagination with humor and restraint, as they set out to craft a compelling, commercially s…
Level C1ClassicsThe Cold Snap: 1898In the grip of an unprecedented New England cold snap, the community rallies as the mercury plunges and the biting frost tests their resilience and unity.
Level C1ClassicsThe Cockaynes in Paris; Or, 'Gone abroad'An Englishman with a taste for Parisian life navigates the quirks and clashes of the English expatriate community in the vibrant yet changing French capital.
Level B2ClassicsThe Cobbler In The Devil's Kitchen: From "Mackinac And Lake Stories", 1899An Irish cobbler makes his home in a rugged lakeside cavern known as the Devil’s Kitchen, finding solitude amidst the wild beauty and rough characters of Mackinac Island.
Level C1ClassicsThe Coast of BohemiaA young village girl with artistic talent leaves her home to study in New York, where she navigates the vibrant but challenging world of art, love, and society.
Level C1ClassicsThe Co-opolitan: A Story of the Co-operative Commonwealth of IdahoIn 1897, amid widespread poverty and economic turmoil in the richest nation, a young man grapples with lost fortune and bleak prospects while envisioning a future shaped by industr…
Level B2ClassicsThe Co-CitizensA reclusive widow leaves behind a vast estate and a mysterious absence of heirs, sparking intrigue and speculation in Jordantown.
Level C1ClassicsThe Clockmaker; Or, the Sayings and Doings of Samuel Slick, of SlickvilleStep into the sharp wit and keen observations of Samuel Slick, a clever Yankee peddler navigating the provincial slow wits and political quirks of Nova Scotia, delivering biting sa…
Level B2ClassicsThe Clockmaker — or, the Sayings and Doings of Samuel Slick, of SlickvilleMeet Samuel Slick, a witty clockmaker whose sharp tales and humorous observations unravel the quirks of Yankee and Nova Scotian life with biting satire and clever storytelling.
Level C1ClassicsThe Cliff-Dwellers: A NovelIn the towering urban canyons of Chicago’s booming commercial district, thousands navigate a rugged, smoke-shrouded landscape of ambition and survival.
Level C1ClassicsThe Clever Woman of the FamilyTwo sisters confront the bittersweet transition from youth to adulthood amid family expectations and personal dreams.
Level C1ClassicsThe City of PleasureIn the vibrant City of Pleasure, a grand captive balloon ascent promises spectacle and mystery as its leaders prepare for a thrilling launch above London’s bustling peninsula.
Level C1ClassicsThe City of MasksAt a refined dinner party, a Marchioness prepares to welcome a mysterious guest from Constantinople—a sailor with a shadowed past and a borrowed suit—setting the stage for intrigue…
Level C1ClassicsThe City of Dreadful NightIn the smoky dawn of Calcutta, a city of colonial contrasts and concealed corruption, a traveler confronts the clash between imperial grandeur and the harsh realities of life in a…
Level C1ClassicsThe City and the World and Other StoriesIn a serene Roman cloister, the revered Father Ramoni returns from a decade of missionary work in distant mountains, hailed for transforming a people’s faith and inspiring a new ch…
Level C1ClassicsThe Cinder Buggy: A Fable in Iron and SteelIn a town famed for its unmatched wrought iron, tradition clashes with progress as steel rises to dominate.
Level C1ClassicsThe CidIn medieval Spain, noble Rodrigo, known as the Cid, must navigate love, loyalty, and political intrigue as he vies for honor and power amid shifting alliances and royal rivalries.
Level C1ClassicsThe Chronicles of Aunt Minervy AnnIn post-Civil War Georgia, Aunt Minervy Ann Perdue—fierce, proud, and fiercely loyal—navigates freedom’s challenges with unmatched strength and complexity, shaping the lives of tho…
Level C1ClassicsThe Chronic LoaferIn a quaint Pennsylvania village, a battle-worn veteran returns to a porch where old friends, including the enigmatic Chronic Loafer, gather to share stories, jests, and memories o…
Level C1ClassicsThe Christmas Story from David HarumIn this heartwarming tale set on Christmas Eve, the unconventional David Harum uses his wit and kindness to lift the Widow Cullom from despair, weaving humor, pathos, and uniquely…
Level C1ClassicsThe Christmas Peace: 1908Two neighboring families, the fiery Hampdens and the composed Draytons, have carried an age-old feud as fiercely as the unpredictable creek dividing their lands.
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.