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 C1ClassicsNobody's ChildAs winter reluctantly yields to spring, seventeen-year-old Ann Penniman navigates life on the outskirts of the Fox-Ridge Hunt Club’s privileged world, where a thrilling fox hunt an…
Level B2ClassicsNobodyA penniless young woman clings to a fleeting dream of elegance as she navigates the harsh realities of a city lunchroom, where every choice could cost her more than just money.
Level C1ClassicsNo enemyIn the aftermath of war, a poet-turned-economist named Gringoire seeks to rebuild life through simple pleasures like cooking and gardening, revealing how grace and poetry can thriv…
Level C1ClassicsNo SurrenderAmid sunlit lakes and picturesque villas, a young man returns from a tranquil visit only to face the harsh rule of Baron von Raven, where loyalty and opposition clash, and old frie…
Level C1ClassicsNo NameIn a somber country house, servants awaken to a cold March morning shadowed by a recent family event, setting the stage for a gripping tale of a woman's struggle between good and e…
Level C1ClassicsNo Defense, Volume 3.Amidst the lush plantations and complex social tensions of Jamaica, Dyck Calhoun wrestles with his past as a disgraced man seeking purpose after imprisonment and naval mutiny, navi…
Level C1ClassicsNiobe, All Smiles: A Farcical Comedy in Three ActsIn a London drawing room, a sharp-witted family prepares for a night at the theatre, where propriety clashes with playful banter and social expectations spark comedic chaos.
Level C1ClassicsNinth AvenueIn the gritty heart of New York’s Ninth Avenue, Blanche Palmer navigates a harsh world of cramped apartments and sharp family dynamics, balancing youthful allure with a restless se…
Level B2ClassicsNineteen hundred? A forecast and a storyAs two young men return from exile, their reunion with the warm-hearted Miss Wentworth sparks hope for a future shaped by faith and youthful promise.
Level C1ClassicsNine Short EssaysExplore the twilight mysteries of the Tuileries Garden in 1868 Paris, where vibrant daytime life gives way to haunting silence and the echo of imperial power.
Level C1ClassicsNights With Uncle Remus: Myths and Legends of the Old PlantationStep into the rich oral traditions of the Southern plantations, where age-old myths and legends come alive through the storytelling of Uncle Remus.
Level C1ClassicsNightfallIn the shadowed halls of Wanhope manor, Laura tends to her distant, war-wounded husband as they navigate the quiet tensions of their restrained lives and the unspoken pasts that li…![Cover of Night watches [complete] by W. Jacobs](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6jo42pmtvc73csno20.webp)
Level B2ClassicsNight watches [complete]After a minor railway accident leaves Mr.
Level C1ClassicsNight and Morning, CompleteAmid the shadows of prejudice and fear, a daring exploration of the blurred lines between truth and falsehood reveals the hidden poetry of modern life, challenging society's harsh…
Level C1ClassicsNiels LyhneA young dreamer wrestles with doubt, ideals, and the harsh truths of life, striving to become a true poet while confronting the limits of dreams and the demands of reality in a wor…
Level C1ClassicsNicholas NicklebyIn the harsh winter of Yorkshire, a concerned outsider investigates the grim realities of unregulated private schools, exposing the brutal neglect and ignorance that deform young m…
Level B2ClassicsNibsy's ChristmasOn a bitter Christmas Eve in the East Side tenements, two boys stare longingly at the warm glow and sweet treats inside a delicatessen, while a scrappy older boy quietly buys honey…
Level C1ClassicsNext Door Neighbours: A Comedy; In Three ActsIn a grand household preparing for a lavish ball, tensions simmer between extravagance and frugality as Sir George’s costly entertainments clash with concerns over mounting debts a…
Level C1ClassicsNews from the DuchyOn a lazy summer afternoon, a holiday train journey through the English countryside reveals an uncanny vision of naked gods playing music and navvies dancing beneath ancient oaks—a…
Level B2ClassicsNew lives for oldA man with a farming heritage buys a farm near the city to escape urban life and fulfill his wife’s dreams, only to discover surprising truths about rural living and the elusive Am…
Level B2ClassicsNew York: Its Upper Ten and Lower MillionBeneath the glittering wealth of New York's elite, a dark night on Christmas Eve unravels secrets of jealousy, hidden infants, and desperate oaths that bind a family’s fate over tw…
Level C1ClassicsNew Latin GrammarMaster the essentials of Latin grammar with clear explanations on sounds, inflections, syntax, and word formation, designed for both secondary and college students seeking a compre…
Level C1ClassicsNew Grub StreetIn a struggling literary world where ambition clashes with harsh realities, a young writer confronts the precariousness of success, friendship, and family tensions amidst the unfor…
Level B2ClassicsNew FacesIn a bustling settlement mission, the spirited Lady Hyacinths Shirt-Waist Club defies convention by deciding to stage a play, sparking lively debates and unexpected challenges as t…
Level B2ClassicsNew England Joke Lore: The Tonic of Yankee HumorDiscover the dry wit and sharp humor of New England Yankees through real-life tales that reveal their unique character and unshakable spirit, offering a hearty tonic for anyone in…
Level B2ClassicsNew ComediesIn a rustic crossroads shed, two men bound by family and fate share tales of hardship, ambition, and the struggle to rise above their humble trades.
Level B2ClassicsNew Century Speaker and Writer: Being a Standard Work on Composition and OratoryMaster the art of elegant writing and captivating oratory with comprehensive rules, model compositions, and a vast collection of readings and recitations suited for all occasions.
Level C1ClassicsNew BroomsA philosophizing cook reflects on human nature through the habits and tastes of unseen diners, revealing character and life lessons from the kitchen’s unique vantage point.
Level A2ClassicsNevada; or, The Lost Mine, A Drama in Three ActsIn the rugged landscape of Nevada, the search for a lost mine sparks tension and drama among a cast of characters entangled in ambition and mystery.
Level B2ClassicsNelly ChannellOn a bleak November day, Rhoda Farren returns to her childhood home to find it transformed by her cousin Helen’s arrival—with a baby in tow—and an unsettling family secret threaten…
Level B2ClassicsNell and Her Grandfather, Told from Charles Dickens's "The Old Curiosity Shop"A brave young girl navigates the bustling streets of London alone, seeking her way home to a mysterious old curiosity shop where secrets and the bond with her devoted grandfather a…
Level B2ClassicsNeither Jew nor GreekOn the eve of her marriage to a wealthy but unremarkable businessman, Adeline faces the realities of a marriage of convenience that challenges her romantic ideals and social expect…
Level C1ClassicsNeither Here Nor ThereEve's boredom sparks a witty exploration of timeless human follies, fashion fads, and societal quirks, revealing how history’s old tales echo in today’s restless world.
Level C1ClassicsNeither Dorking nor the AbbeyAs a great man’s ashes rest in a humble English village, his spirit rises youthful and triumphant on Box Hill, greeted by a gathering of devoted followers and immortal peers.
Level C1ClassicsNeighborhood StoriesIn a small Midwestern village, neighbors navigate the tensions between tradition and change, exploring evolving roles, social bonds, and fresh ideals that challenge their close-kni…
Level C1ClassicsNegro TalesIn a post-slavery world, a family grapples with the haunting legacy of their past as Caleb confronts the weight of curses, faith, and social survival.
Level C1ClassicsNearly Lost but Dearly WonIn a decaying, dusty manor rumored to be haunted, the enigmatic Mr.
Level C1ClassicsNature's Serial StoryDiscover the healing power of the natural world through the eyes of Mr.
Level C1ClassicsNature and Human NatureAn old friend arrives with lively tales and sharp wit, promising a night of spirited conversation and humor.
Level C1ClassicsNature and ArtBorn into poverty and struggling on the London stage, Elizabeth Simpson battles hardship and societal expectations while pursuing her dreams.
Level C1ClassicsNathaniel Parker WillisExplore the vibrant life and literary career of a 19th-century American poet and journalist, tracing his rise to fame, family heritage, and the shifting tastes that led to his fadi…
Level C1ClassicsNathaniel HawthorneUncover the complex legacy of a New England family marked by both pioneering spirit and dark Puritan judgment, tracing the roots and early life of a boy born into this heritage on…
Level C1ClassicsNathaniel HawthorneAn enigmatic doctor invites four aged friends to partake in an experiment with an elixir promising youth, revealing the ironies of human nature and the shadows of past regrets.
Level C1ClassicsNathan the Wise; a dramatic poem in five actsIn a time of religious tension and cultural conflict, a wise and compassionate man seeks to bridge divides through reason and humanity.
Level C1ClassicsNatalie; Or, A Gem Among the Sea-WeedsAn infant, miraculously found adrift on the stormy shore, becomes the center of hope and mystery in a coastal town shadowed by shipwrecks.
Level C1ClassicsNat Goodwin's BookStep into the candid memoir of a seasoned actor who reflects on his checkered career, public scrutiny, and the complexities of marriage with unflinching honesty and wit.
Level C2ClassicsNarrative and Miscellaneous PapersExplore the fragile nature of human happiness and the relentless upheavals that can shatter families in an instant, as the relentless forces of life’s frailty and misfortune unfold…
Level C2ClassicsNarcissus, a Twelfe Night MerrimentSet in the lively academic world of Oxford in 1602, this Twelfth Night play blends classical mythology with festive merriment, revealing the spirited theatrical traditions of unive…
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.