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 Arnold Bennett CalendarExplore daily reflections on art, life, love, and human nature through a unique calendar that offers wisdom, wit, and insight, inviting readers to ponder the passions and complexit…
Level C1ClassicsThe Arm-Chair at the InnA charming Normandy inn becomes the setting for warm camaraderie as the landlord prepares a feast and a roaring fire for his close-knit group of friends, each room steeped in histo…
Level C1ClassicsThe ArgonautsIn a dazzling mansion built by relentless toil, two men grapple with the extremes of wealth and neglect—one driven mad by duty, the other reduced to dependency by disregard for mon…
Level C1ClassicsThe Aran IslandsDiscover the rugged beauty and haunting traditions of the Aran Islands through vivid tales of its people, language, and landscape, where ancient folklore and daily life intertwine…
Level B2ClassicsThe Ape, the Idiot & Other PeopleAn ape named Romulus escapes his circus cage and encounters the vast, bewildering freedom of the outside world, where curiosity and caution lead him to unexpected encounters beyond…
Level B2ClassicsThe AnnesA spirited young girl discovers her unique calling: to lift others up, just as she tenderly helps a struggling beetle back on its feet.
Level C1ClassicsThe Annals of the Parish: Or, the Chronicle of Dalmailing During the Ministry of the Rev. Micah BalwhidderA devoted minister reflects on his lifelong service to the parish of Dalmailing, sharing heartfelt sermons, community struggles, and steadfast faith during a time of change and cha…
Level C1ClassicsThe Angel of the TenementIn a cramped tenement, a mysterious child named Angel appears, abandoned yet strangely confident, drawing a group of women into a web of compassion and curiosity as they seek to un…
Level C1ClassicsThe Angel of PainIn the shimmering heat of a lush English garden, Philip Home contemplates the fleeting beauty of summer while his eccentric guests and mysterious acquaintances hint at secrets lurk…
Level B2ClassicsThe Angel and the Author, and OthersA weary Recording Angel reviews the author's self-proclaimed good deeds during the Christmas season, blending humor and reflection on human generosity and virtue.
Level B2ClassicsThe AndersonsIn modest Brighton lodgings, determined Felix Anderson vows to rise from humble beginnings and provide a better life for his sister and friend, despite family estrangements and pas…
Level C1ClassicsThe Ancient LawFreshly released from prison, Daniel Ordway returns to the rural Southside of Virginia, searching for work and a new beginning amid the faded landscapes and tobacco markets of a st…
Level C1ClassicsThe Ancient CityA diverse group embarks on a southern river journey from New York to Florida, uncovering the rich history and natural wonders of the St.
Level C1ClassicsThe Amouretta landscape, and other storiesA renowned portrait painter, Maurice Price, confronts a decade of indoor artistry and seeks renewal amid New Hampshire's vibrant landscapes, challenging his own creative boundaries…
Level C1ClassicsThe Amethyst RingMadame Bergeret faces exile from her home and society’s judgment, as she prepares to leave her husband and familiar life behind.
Level C1ClassicsThe AmericansIn the rugged wilderness of northwestern America, two men navigate the echoes of industrial conflict amid abandoned logging sites and looming tensions.
Level C1ClassicsThe Americanization of Edward Bok: The Autobiography of a Dutch Boy Fifty Years AfterA Dutch boy arrives in America unable to speak the language, yet rises to become the influential editor of the largest-circulation magazine in the country.
Level C1ClassicsThe American Union SpeakerA powerful collection of speeches and poems captures the spirit and struggles of a nation in crisis, blending stirring oratory with timeless pieces that teach patriotism, justice,…
Level C1ClassicsThe American SenatorIn the quiet, unremarkable town of Dillsborough, where population dwindles and old routines persist, unexpected tensions and social divides simmer beneath the surface—setting the s…
Level C1ClassicsThe American NewspaperExplore the intricate balance between profit, influence, and integrity in the American newspaper industry, revealing how the press shapes public opinion and reflects the values and…![Cover of The American Joe Miller: A Collection of Yankee Wit and Humor by Robert [Compiler] Kempt](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dacjop7vk76c73frarf0.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe American Joe Miller: A Collection of Yankee Wit and HumorDive into a rollicking collection of American wit, where tall tales and broad humor bring to life the larger-than-life characters and exaggerated feats that define Yankee spirit an…
Level C1ClassicsThe American Diary of a Japanese GirlA young Japanese woman prepares to leave her homeland for America, capturing her hopes, dreams, and cultural reflections in a heartfelt diary as she embarks on a transformative jou…
Level C1ClassicsThe American ClaimantAn American inventor unexpectedly inherits an English earldom, prompting a chaotic collision of identities, schemes, and romance as he navigates high society and his new title.
Level C1ClassicsThe AmbassadorsLambert Strether journeys to Paris to reclaim a young man from a frivolous life, but amidst the charm and freedom of the city, he confronts his own regrets and the possibility of l…
Level C1ClassicsThe Altar of the DeadHaunted by the death of his beloved Mary, a man dedicates himself to honoring the memory of the dead through a solemn, personal ritual—a spiritual altar that offers solace amid los…
Level C1ClassicsThe Altar FireA profound exploration of suffering and the soul’s resilience reveals the hidden strength in pain and the shared humanity of those who endure it.
Level C1ClassicsThe AlkahestIn a tranquil Flemish town, where tradition and architecture reveal the secrets of its people’s steady, sensuous happiness, explore the steady pulse of a society shaped by history,…
Level C1ClassicsThe AlhambraStep into the enchanted Alhambra, a Moorish palace where history and legend intertwine amid sunlit gardens and shadowed courts.
Level B2ClassicsThe Alchemist's SecretAn aging widower clings to hope as he makes his nightly trek to the post office, waiting for a letter from his long-lost daughter Sallie who vanished fifteen years ago.
Level C1ClassicsThe AlchemistEnter the world of a bold, combative playwright navigating the fierce rivalry and intrigue of Elizabethan theater, where ambition, talent, and personal struggles collide amidst the…
Level C1ClassicsThe Albany Depot : a FarceAt a bustling train depot, Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsThe Aftermath; Or, Gleanings from a Busy Life: Called upon the outer cover, for purposes of sale, Caliban's Guide to LettersStep into the disciplined life of Dr.
Level B2ClassicsThe Affable StrangerA man finds liberation by pouring his worries into a book, freeing himself from life's burdens and embracing the carefree rhythms of nature during harvest time.
Level C1ClassicsThe Advocate: A NovelIn early 19th-century Montreal, a sharp-witted advocate wrestles with love, marriage, and duty as he navigates complex relationships and moral dilemmas, all while preparing for a p…
Level C1ClassicsThe Adventures of an Ugly GirlShunned for her plain looks and overshadowed by a beautiful sister, a sensitive girl braces herself for the arrival of her father’s new wife, hoping for the first time to find a tr…
Level C1ClassicsThe Adventures of a Widow: A NovelIn a rapidly changing New York, Bond Street's genteel past clashes with a dark, unsolved murder that shakes the city's social order.
Level B2ClassicsThe Adventures of a SuburbaniteA couple escapes city flats for a country house, but Isobel struggles with the eerie silence of solitude and longs for the comforting presence of neighbors—real or imagined.
Level C1ClassicsThe Adventures of My Cousin SmoothA sharp-witted merchant from Cape Cod embarks on a mission to Washington, aiming to advance universal rights and challenge the era’s monarchies through common sense and the go-ahea…
Level C1ClassicsThe Adventures of Hugh TrevorTorn between family pride and personal choice, a young man navigates the tumult of social expectations and intellectual growth.
Level C1ClassicsThe Adventures of Elizabeth in RügenA woman sets out to explore the enchanting island of Rügen on foot, seeking freedom and connection with nature despite societal expectations and companionship refusals.
Level C1ClassicsThe Adventure of Living : a Subjective AutobiographyAn intimate journey through life’s ironies and adventures, this autobiography captures vivid travels from Jerusalem to Cairo and New York, blending personal memories with reflectio…
Level C1ClassicsThe Admirable CrichtonIn a grand Mayfair house, a sharp-witted aristocrat and his impeccable butler navigate class boundaries and social expectations, setting the stage for a surprising upheaval that ch…
Level C1ClassicsThe Admirable Bashville; Or, Constancy Unrewarded: Being the Novel of Cashel Byron's Profession Done into a Stage Play in Three Acts and in Blank Verse, with a Note on Modern Prize FightingIn a swift, blank verse adaptation, a young author battles copyright law to stage his tale of Cashel Byron, a professional prizefighter navigating honor and hardship in the ring an…
Level B2ClassicsThe Actress' Daughter: A NovelOn a stormy Christmas Eve, the stern and unyielding Miss Jerusha Skamp battles a lazy maid and a mischievous cat while maintaining strict order in her rigid New England household,…
Level C1ClassicsThe Acorn-Planter: A California Forest Play (1916)In a primeval forest, Red Cloud, the wise leader of the Nishinam tribe, champions a life of growth and abundance against the warlike Shaman and War Chief.
Level C1ClassicsThe AcharniansFed up with war's endless misery, an Athenian farmer boldly seeks a private peace treaty to save his land and family, challenging the city's war-hungry leaders in a sharp, satirica…
Level C1ClassicsThe AbsenteeIn a sharp social satire, an Irish lord returns home in disguise to confront absentee landlords neglecting their tenants while chasing English high society’s approval, revealing th…
Level C1ClassicsThe Abandoned Farmers: His Humorous Account of a Retreat from the City to the FarmA couple escapes city life to pursue their dream of owning an abandoned New England farm, diving into humorous trials and unexpected adventures as they restore the land and homeste…
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.