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 C1ClassicsStories of New YorkIn a New York drawing-room, Esther Van Dyke prepares for an afternoon tea that stirs old flames and unresolved feelings, as unexpected guests and past loves converge in a delicate…
Level C1ClassicsStories of IntellectA man rents a reputedly haunted London house, only to find an undefinable terror that drives him and his wife away.
Level C1ClassicsStories of ExileAmid the flickering glow of a mountain kiln, a mysterious laughter unsettles a father and son, hinting at deeper, haunting secrets.
Level C1ClassicsStories of ComedyIn a lively Irish fishing village, Barny O'Reirdon, a respected and jovial fisherman, clashes and converses with a rival cousin, blending humor, local rivalries, and rural wisdom i…
Level C1ClassicsStories in yellow, black, white, blue, violet and redDive into a collection of vivid tales painted with poetic rhythm and color, where happiness sparks stories as fleeting and bright as a stroll on a sunny afternoon.
Level C1ClassicsStories in Light and ShadowIn a quaint German town where soldiers parade like actors on a stage, the American consul navigates the curious blend of military spectacle and peaceful industry, uncovering the ch…
Level B2ClassicsStories from the PentameroneA melancholy princess who never laughs embarks on a quest to break a mysterious curse, aided by magical fairies and enchanted gifts, as she seeks the elusive Prince of Round-Field…
Level B2ClassicsStories from the Greek TragediansA loyal wife offers her own life to save her husband from death, setting in motion a divine struggle between gods and fate.
Level B2ClassicsStories from the Chap-Book: Being a Miscellany of Curious and Interesting Tales, Histories, &c; Newly Composed by Many Celebrated Writers and Very Delightful to Read.An elderly couple grapples with the haunting memories of their lost daughters on a stormy night, as the boundaries between grief and the supernatural blur beneath the moonlit sky.
Level B2ClassicsStories from TagoreA curious young girl befriends a gentle fruit seller from Kabul, sparking a tender connection that bridges their worlds.
Level B2ClassicsStories from Northern MythsBefore the earth existed, fiery sparks meet icy mists, birthing giants and gods in a world of cosmic battles and creation.
Level C1ClassicsStories by Foreign Authors: SpanishIn the serene pine groves near the Escurial, a civil engineer recounts a mysterious tale of love, loss, and supernatural events that defy reason and science, challenging the skepti…
Level B2ClassicsStories by Foreign Authors: ScandinavianA wealthy parish leader navigates the joys and sorrows of fatherhood, facing profound loss and seeking redemption in a tale of faith, family, and the enduring hope for a true bless…
Level C1ClassicsStories by Foreign Authors: RussianIn a gloomy Moscow courtyard, Gerasim, a deaf and mute giant, struggles to adapt from a life of rural labor to servitude as a porter under a cold widow.
Level B2ClassicsStories by Foreign Authors: Polish, Greek, Belgian, HungarianAn aging soldier, weathered by battles and wanderings, seeks solace as the new lighthouse keeper on a remote, rocky island where isolation and duty converge amid treacherous waters…
Level B2ClassicsStories by Foreign Authors: ItalianAs Italy braces for the army's advance on Rome, a young patriot defies his family's fears and sets out to witness history firsthand, igniting a clash of ideals and emotions within…
Level C1ClassicsStories by Foreign Authors: German — Volume 2Step into 18th-century Leipzig with Christian Gellert, a beloved poet and moral philosopher wrestling with the true meaning of honor, fame, and the impact of his teachings on youth…
Level C1ClassicsStories by Foreign Authors: German — Volume 1A determined young woman named Laurella defies local gossip and sets sail for Capri with a kindly priest, carrying a mysterious bundle and a fierce independence in a vibrant coasta…
Level C1ClassicsStories by English Authors: Scotland (Selected by Scribners)In a lively Scottish village, Sam’l Dickie navigates rivalry, romance, and local gossip as he courts T’nowhead’s Bell, facing competition from Little Sanders Elshioner and the watc…
Level C1ClassicsStories by English Authors: London (Selected by Scribners)In a London club where waiters blend into the background, one man’s inattentive service sparks a surprising shift in their quiet relationship, revealing the unseen lives and tensio…
Level C1ClassicsStories by English Authors: IrelandAn old Irish gentleman’s servant, Pat, spins a wild tale of survival after their ship sinks in the Atlantic, leaving them adrift with dwindling supplies and hope amid the vast, unf…
Level B2ClassicsStories by English Authors: Germany (Selected by Scribners)A young woman arrives alone at a Swiss hotel, tuning the piano with a passion that surprises onlookers and sparks curiosity.
Level C1ClassicsStories by English Authors: EnglandA chance encounter on an 1847 train journey sparks a delicate dance of attraction and wit between a captivating lady and a charming cavalry officer, set against the mysterious back…
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 8In the tense darkness before battle, a brigade commander’s ruthless leadership stirs fierce loyalty among his soldiers, who brace for a fight that will test their courage and camar…
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 7In a lively Southern town where charm and hardship intertwine, a kind-hearted bishop befriends Demming, a witty vagabond whose tales and antics reveal the complexities beneath pict…
Level B2ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 6A young man recently released from prison returns to his small village, where suspicion and sympathy mingle as he struggles to rebuild his life amid wary neighbors and old ties.
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 5A disillusioned man returns to America, grappling with lost pleasures and searching for meaning in a familiar yet changed world.
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 3Step into a theater where the boundaries between sound and thought blur, and discover a mysterious nook that reveals the secret inner lives of a diverse audience, unveiling hidden…
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 2A mysterious ghost haunts the country home of John Hinckman, but this spirit’s existence is far from ordinary—tied to a strange case of mistaken death and uneasy secrets beneath th…
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 10In the charming city of Monterey, where centuries-old traditions and picturesque streets enchant, young Pancha cherishes her humble home amidst the vibrant life of her beloved town…
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 1A man reflects on a mysterious encounter at Wampsocket Springs, where a secretive woman’s footprints lead him to a wild, enchanting glen—a place both lonely and captivating, where…
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors (Volume 4)A young, successful literary man in Rome finds his orderly life disrupted when a mysterious woman named Miss Grief persistently calls on him without explanation, igniting curiosity…
Level C1ClassicsStories and Sketches by our best authorsA young physician, haunted by loss and professional struggles, receives an unexpected invitation to treat a mysterious illness involving mental disease, challenging his skills and…
Level B2ClassicsStories and SketchesIn a rural farming village, a mysterious, aged-looking boy named Terry Dolan carries the weight of a harsh past from Ireland while battling loneliness and fear in his new home, whe…
Level C1ClassicsStories and PicturesIn a world where faith, superstition, and daily struggles intertwine, the mysterious Rebbe of Nemirov vanishes every Friday morning, sparking curiosity and wonder among his communi…
Level C1ClassicsStories That End WellA young socialist heiress inspired by an idealistic vision of a better society hires a cook and maid to help her transform her household with modern conveniences and a new way of l…
Level C1ClassicsStories By English Authors: Italy (Selected by Scribners)In the shadow of a grand estate, a delicate young man named Richard Luscombe navigates the high-stakes thrill of gambling and speculation, revealing the risks and passions hidden b…
Level C1ClassicsStonepasturesIn a grim industrial town where narrow-gauge tracks replace streets, workers endure perilous labor, poverty, and the haunting cinder flare known as "The eye of God.
Level B2ClassicsStill JimIn a struggling New England quarry town, young Jim grapples with his father's pride, immigrant workers, and the fading legacy of their forefathers as he dreams of his own place in…
Level C1ClassicsStevensoniana: Being a Reprint of Various Literary and Pictorial Miscellany Associated with Robert Louis Stevenson, the Man and His WorkExplore the early life and literary rise of a visionary writer whose restless spirit and vivid imagination shaped timeless adventures and essays.
Level C1ClassicsStevenson's Perfect Virtues, as Exemplified by Leigh HuntExplore the warmth and wisdom of a gentle, cheerful soul whose home welcomed literary giants and whose life embodied kindness, resilience, and simple joys.
Level C1ClassicsSterneExplore the elusive life of Laurence Sterne, tracing his journey from turbulent birth through his formative years, academic pursuits, and literary triumphs, revealing the man behin…![Cover of Stepping backwards [Night watches, Part 5.] by W. Jacobs](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6jn92pmtvc73csnnp0.webp)
Level B2ClassicsStepping backwards [Night watches, Part 5.]A man in his fifties, tired of being mistaken for his elders, undergoes a dramatic transformation by shaving and dyeing his hair, only to face the shock and disbelief of those who…
Level B2ClassicsStepping HeavenwardA spirited sixteen-year-old girl begins a journal to confront her flaws and fulfill her mother's hopes, navigating self-doubt, family tensions, and the challenges of growing up wit…
Level C1ClassicsStentorExplore the vibrant evolution of newspapers from ancient scrolls to modern dailies, revealing their role in shaping public opinion, culture, and democracy through news, advertiseme…
Level C1ClassicsStavrogin's Confession and The Plan of The Life of a Great Sinner: With Introductory and Explanatory NotesUncover the hidden depths of a tormented soul through unpublished confessions and lost chapters revealing the complex psyche behind revolutionary turmoil and personal torment in 19…
Level B2ClassicsStarr, of the DesertIn a bustling city, Peter Stevenson grapples with his wife Helen May’s fragile health and a doctor's urgent advice to seek a radical change of climate.
Level C1ClassicsStanford Stories: Tales of a Young UniversityAmid the blossoming gardens and festive receptions of a Stanford winter, a young mandolin player navigates college life, music tours, and a captivating encounter with a charming Lo…
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.