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 C1ClassicsTalks on Teaching LiteratureExplore the challenges and possibilities of teaching literature, where understanding goes beyond intellect to engage emotions and imagination, revealing the art’s inexpressible qua…
Level C1ClassicsTalks on TalkingMaster the art of engaging conversation through naturalness, kindness, and adaptability, learning how personality and courtesy shape every interaction.
Level C1ClassicsTales of the turfStep into the world of horse racing where grit and heart define both man and steed.
Level C1ClassicsTales of the WildernessExplore the radical transformation of Russian literature after Chekhov's death, as poetry overtakes prose and new voices challenge old traditions, revealing a vibrant, often misund…
Level C1ClassicsTales of the Trains: Being Some Chapters of Railroad Romance by Tilbury Tramp, Queen's MessengerAs steam-powered trains revolutionize travel, a new world of romance and adventure unfolds at unprecedented speeds.
Level C1ClassicsTales of the Samurai: Stories Illustrating Bushido, the Moral Principles of the Japanese KnighthoodIn feudal Japan, a devoted sandal-bearer risks everything to protect his lord’s honor, only to face brutal injustice.
Level B2ClassicsTales of the RoadStep into the demanding world of traveling salesmen, where quick wit, patience, and persuasion fuel the engine of commerce.
Level C1ClassicsTales of the RidingsJourney through the rich landscapes of Devon and beyond, as a young scholar embraces the beauty of nature and the challenges of academic life, weaving tales of country sights, frie…
Level C1ClassicsTales of the Long BowIn a quiet suburban town, Colonel Crane, a retired soldier steeped in tradition, faces an unusual puzzle that disrupts his routine Sunday morning.
Level C1ClassicsTales of the Jazz AgeStep into the vibrant, chaotic Jazz Age through a collection of tales exploring Southern charm, wild New York adventures, and fantastical escapades, all infused with humor, luxury,…
Level C1ClassicsTales of the Five TownsIn a bleak December town where commerce falters and community roles intertwine, a shrewd earthenware manufacturer juggles ambition, rivalry, and unexpected encounters—revealing the…
Level C1ClassicsTales of the ChesapeakeOn a remote Chesapeake Bay shore, an outcast preacher, shunned for love and faith, struggles to survive Christmas Eve with the help of a hardened oyster-man who discovers a mysteri…
Level C1ClassicsTales of the Caravan, Inn, and PalaceA lone rider encounters a dazzling caravan crossing the vast desert, escorting merchants home from Mecca.
Level C1ClassicsTales of the ArgonautsIn a quiet mountain town, Jenny McClosky navigates love, family, and the wild remnants of her past as she prepares for a new life with Jack, facing the tender and humorous challeng…
Level C1ClassicsTales of a TravellerA retired baronet's hunting dinner turns into an unexpected night of camaraderie and mystery when a fierce winter storm traps the guests, sparking tales from a nervous gentleman wh…
Level C1ClassicsTales of a Cruel CountryIn a sun-drenched village where tradition and desire collide, Stephanie Miniati grapples with love, loss, and the harsh judgment of her neighbors.
Level C1ClassicsTales of Two CountriesAmidst youthful celebration and provincial expectations, a talented young man’s sharp, satirical tales reveal the hidden struggles and raw truths beneath society’s polished surface…
Level B2ClassicsTales of Two CountriesDeep within the eternal mountains, workers brave the treacherous tunnels of the Simplon, confronting nature’s fierce resistance and their own fears.
Level C1ClassicsTales of Trail and TownIn a rough mining town transformed by fortune and ambition, Peter Atherly grapples with his mysterious heritage and troubled family past.![Cover of Tales of My Time, Vol. 2 (of 3): Who Is She? [concluded]; The Young Reformers by William Pitt Scargill](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf2bo8e1ofc73dhaoqg.webp)
Level C1ClassicsTales of My Time, Vol. 2 (of 3): Who Is She? [concluded]; The Young ReformersA grieving woman flees with her loyal companion through bustling towns, seeking refuge amid celebrations that starkly contrast her sorrow.
Level C1ClassicsTales of My Native TownImmerse yourself in vivid moments from a coastal Italian town, where passion, fate, and the raw realities of life intertwine in tales that capture the intricate beauty and harshnes…
Level C1ClassicsTales of Men and GhostsA middle-aged playwright grapples with rejection and mounting desperation as he awaits a crucial meeting with his lawyer, clutching a rejected manuscript and a revolver.
Level C1ClassicsTales of Mean StreetsExplore the gritty realities of East London's "Mean Streets," where vivid stories reveal the harsh lives and struggles hidden behind the city's bustling facade.
Level C1ClassicsTales of All CountriesIn the secluded Pyrenean valley of Vernet, a stern widow runs a modest thermal bath hotel where weary guests seek healing waters and respite from life’s burdens.
Level B2ClassicsTales from the VeldIn the rugged Cape Colony, Uncle Abe spins extraordinary tales of frontier life, superstition, and a mysterious bark with deadly powers—blurring the line between fact and folklore…![Cover of Tales from the Old French by Isabel [Translator] Butler](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da895rsv7nos73d6p5a0.webp)
Level C1ClassicsTales from the Old FrenchEnter a magical orchard where a wondrous bird sings twice daily, its enchanting melodies healing sickness, inspiring love, and sustaining life itself—yet the fate of this enchanted…
Level C1ClassicsTales from the German, Comprising specimens from the most celebrated authorsDive into a rich collection of German tales that blend psychological depth, moral complexity, and captivating storytelling—from haunting fantasies to profound explorations of human…
Level C1ClassicsTales from Two HemispheresA young Norseman arrives in America, full of hope and ideals about freedom and republicanism, only to face the bewildering realities of immigration and society.
Level C1ClassicsTales from Many Sources, Vol. VIn a cold northern hall, mysterious house spirits quietly labor while two sharp-witted heiresses of Lingborough secretly carry out acts of kindness rooted in tradition and faith, w…
Level C1ClassicsTales from GorkyA poor, friendless boy with a restless spirit and a spark of genius survives brutal hardships in Tsarist Russia, chronicling his grim adventures among society’s outcasts.
Level C1ClassicsTales from BohemiaStep into the bustling world of a young journalist climbing the ranks in an 1887 newspaper office, where friendships spark over literary ambitions and the drama of the stage ignite…
Level C1ClassicsTales from "Blackwood," Volume 8Amidst the turmoil of railway speculation and the pangs of early marriage, a man navigates the highs and lows of financial risk and personal duty, uncovering the unpredictable fate…
Level C1ClassicsTales from "Blackwood," Volume 7An Englishman unexpectedly encounters a familiar yet transformed young French cavalry sergeant, Frank Oakley, whose reckless past and rapid descent into debt hint at a life of wild…
Level C1ClassicsTales from "Blackwood," Volume 6In a bustling European spa town, a wealthy Dutchman plots a marriage shrouded in deception and hidden motives, while a wandering traveler uncovers the vibrant lives and secret intr…
Level C1ClassicsTales from "Blackwood," Volume 4Caught in the throes of financial panic, a determined investor grapples with plummeting stocks and mounting debts amid a tightening economy.
Level C1ClassicsTales from "Blackwood," Volume 3A mismatched group of Oxford undergraduates embarks on a summer "reading party" in the remote Welsh town of Glyndewi, where academic ambition collides with rustic charm and unexpec…
Level C1ClassicsTales from "Blackwood," Volume 1A penniless gentleman and his equally impecunious friend navigate the wild railway mania sweeping Scotland, blending satire and adventure in a world where aristocratic pride meets…
Level C1ClassicsTales by Polish AuthorsBartek, a simple village man, faces the upheaval of war as he is called from his peaceful life to fight against the French, leaving his family and homeland behind.
Level C1ClassicsTales and Stories: Now First CollectedExplore the profound and haunting tales woven by a pioneering author whose imagination gave birth to unforgettable characters and themes of compassion amidst horror.
Level B2ClassicsTales and Sketches: Part 3 from Volume V of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierA middle-aged man wrestles with his conscience and commerce in a series of vivid dreams sparked by a curious iron soldier figurine, exploring the clash between business interests a…
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 10: HelenYoung Helen faces a heartbreaking reversal when her beloved uncle’s death reveals devastating debts instead of the fortune she expected, forcing her to navigate sorrow, financial r…
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 09A young boy’s innocent London evening turns eerie when a mysterious old man, Simon the Jew, appears with tales that blur fear and fascination.
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 08Amid tangled family loyalties and social ambitions, Alfred Percy’s impending marriage stirs old resentments and fragile reconciliations, revealing the costs of pride, debt, and sac…![Cover of Tales and Novels — Volume 07: Patronage [part 1] by Maria Edgeworth](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6bp72pmtvc73csj140.webp)
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 07: Patronage [part 1]In a stormy coastal night, siblings Rosamond and Godfrey debate love, pride, and humanity while watching a mysterious light near the beacon—setting the stage for a tale exploring m…
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 06In the glittering social whirl of Lady Clonbrony’s gala, secrets and ambitions simmer beneath polished manners and whispered gossip.
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 05: Tales of a Fashionable LifeIn a world where social maneuvering and delicate stratagems govern every interaction, a young woman navigates family secrets and the subtle art of influence, revealing the complex…
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 04Step behind the scenes of Irish gentry life through the candid, unvarnished memoirs of Thady, an old steward whose tales reveal the true characters and domestic dramas behind noble…
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 02: Popular TalesIn the depths of Cornwall’s tin mines, the mysterious disappearance of a lame stable boy sparks eerie tales of ghostly sightings and local legends, inviting readers into a world wh…
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.