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 C1ClassicsLady SusanA cunning widow seeks refuge with her brother-in-law’s family, navigating social rivalries and strained relationships to secure her daughter’s future.
Level C1ClassicsLady Rose's DaughterIn a world of fading aristocracy and hidden tensions, Jacob Delafield returns to London to manage a noble estate and reconnect with Lady Henry, whose declining health and mysteriou…
Level C1ClassicsLady Merton, ColonistA spirited woman journeys through the vast, untamed Canadian wilderness, captivated by its endless lakes and wild beauty, dreaming of the future and the untold possibilities of thi…
Level C1ClassicsLady Maclairn, the victim of villany : A novel, volume 4 (of 4)A desperate messenger brings news of Charles Duncan’s tragic fate and secret letters to the woman he loved, revealing a tale of sacrifice, lost fortunes, and enduring devotion amid…
Level C1ClassicsLady Maclairn, the victim of villanyAmidst family tensions and a controlling mother-in-law, a devoted wife insists on accompanying her husband to Jamaica, risking love and loyalty in a tale of virtue, perseverance, a…
Level C1ClassicsLady KilpatrickOn the rugged shores near Kilpatrick Castle, a spirited young girl and a protective youth navigate friendship, family debts, and budding emotions, while facing the shadow of a loom…
Level B2ClassicsLady Huntworth's Experiment: An original comedy in three actsIn a quaint vicarage garden, a couple navigates the delicate dance between truth and social deception as they prepare for a secret wedding, revealing the humor and complexity of lo…
Level C1ClassicsLady Eureka; or, The Mystery: A Prophecy of the Future. Volume 3A portly cook battles a mysterious stomach ailment while resisting the stern doctor's orders to abandon his hearty meals for a strict regimen of barley water and arrow-root.
Level C1ClassicsLady Eureka; or, The Mystery: A Prophecy of the Future. Volume 1In a quiet chamber, two friends debate the power of imagination and prophecy, envisioning a future where society, philosophy, and human nature evolve beyond present understanding.
Level C1ClassicsLady CassandraCassandra Raynor, heir to a grand estate, faces the suffocating ennui of a privileged life bound by duty, disconnection, and social isolation.
Level C1ClassicsLady Car: The Sequel of a LifeLady Caroline Beaufort, trapped in a loveless marriage to a boorish millionaire, finds herself unexpectedly freed and wealthy upon his death.
Level C1ClassicsLady Bridget in the Never-Never Land: a story of Australian lifeA widowed Australian journalist returns to her homeland after years abroad, navigating political intrigue and imperial interests while capturing the vibrant life and landscape of L…
Level B2ClassicsLady BountifulIn the tolerant society of western Ireland, an aging baronet upends tradition by marrying his village cook, Bridie Malone, whose common sense and care transform their grand estate—…
Level C1ClassicsLady Barbarina, The Siege of London, An International Episode, and Other TalesDive into a collection of international tales where sharp contrasts between American and European outlooks illuminate human nature.
Level C1ClassicsLady AnnaA beautiful young woman marries the enigmatic and cruel Earl Lovel, only to discover her marriage may be a sham and her child disinherited.
Level B2ClassicsLadies-In-WaitingA young woman leaves behind her troubled past and a devoted circle of friends to pursue a singing career in London, facing the uncertainty of a new life and the promise of adventur…
Level C1ClassicsLadies and GentlemenIn the heart of a bustling Southern city, aged Confederate veterans gather for their annual reunion, surrounded by waves of lively descendants and vivid memories of a bygone war.
Level C1ClassicsLadies Must LiveIn a world where social success is an elusive game of influence and charm, Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsLa Mere Bauche: From Tales of All CountriesIn the secluded Pyreneean valley of Vernet, La Mère Bauche runs a strict yet honest hotel famed for its healing thermal baths, attracting weary souls seeking renewal amid rugged mo…
Level B2ClassicsLa GrenadiereNestled on the scenic banks of the Loire, La Grenadiere is an ancient vineyard estate where the beauty of nature and the echoes of history intertwine among terraced cliffs and lush…
Level C1ClassicsL'AssommoirIn a grim Parisian neighborhood, Gervaise waits in vain for her absent lover, grappling with heartbreak and hardship as she tends to her sleeping children in a cramped, shabby room…
Level C1ClassicsL'Arrabiata and Other TalesAmid the misty dawn by Vesuvius, a determined young woman named Laurella embarks on a journey to Capri, carrying humble goods and secrets, alongside a kindly priest whose presence…
Level C1ClassicsKwan-yinIn a dimly lit temple, silent priests and acolytes worship the golden, impassive face of Kwan-yin, goddess of mercy, unaware as her expression shifts to terror and a mysterious voi…
Level C1ClassicsKwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange ThingsStep into a realm where ancient Japanese legends and ghostly spirits come alive, revealing a world both familiar and otherworldly.
Level C1ClassicsKotto: Being Japanese Curios, with Sundry CobwebsStep into a world of eerie Japanese folklore and haunted waterfalls, where a brave mother faces chilling supernatural voices to retrieve a sacred offering box—only to uncover a ter…
Level C1ClassicsKobiety (Women): A Novel of Polish LifeBasking in the warmth of a summer forest, a woman wrestles between wild dreams and the harsh embrace of life, while a determined rider named Janusz trails her secret path.
Level C1ClassicsKnut HamsunExplore the roots of a solitary wanderer shaped by Norway's rugged landscapes and rich traditions, torn between a proud peasant heritage and the wild, unpredictable spirit of the n…
Level C1ClassicsKnocking the NeighborsTwo small-town merchants, pillars of their dry community, secretly yearn for wild city adventures each autumn.
Level C1ClassicsKnight-errantTwo lifelong friends, an optimistic Italian and a pragmatic German, celebrate their new status as lawyers in vibrant Naples, setting the stage for a tale of ambition, friendship, a…
Level C1ClassicsKitty CarstairsIn a quiet village, Kitty Carstairs finds fascination in the nightly rush of the London mail train, while reconnecting with Colin Hayward, a young man grappling with family expecta…
Level C1ClassicsKitty Alone: A Story of Three Fires (vol. 2 of 3)In a restless market town, Pasco Pepperill wrestles with risky deals and mounting debts, while young Kitty faces the challenges of a constrained life and complicated relationships.
Level C1ClassicsKitty Alone: A Story of Three Fires (vol. 1 of 3)In a bustling Devon estuary, the quirky and determined Jason Quarm navigates life with his stubborn donkey, Neddy, while weaving through the lively community at Coombe Cellars.
Level C1ClassicsKissing the Rod: A Novel. (Vol. 3 of 3)A man faces devastating revelations and the fallout of a dark family secret after the death of his father-in-law.
Level C1ClassicsKissing the Rod: A Novel. (Vol. 2 of 3)Amid preparations for a high-society wedding, Ellen and Hester navigate the tensions between love, family expectations, and societal manners as Robert’s choice of bride, the elegan…
Level C1ClassicsKismetIn the bustling streets of ancient Baghdad, a beggar named Hajj navigates fate’s unpredictable tides with wit and resilience.
Level B2ClassicsKipps: The Story of a Simple SoulA young boy raised by his aunt and uncle in a small town navigates the mysteries of his past and the rigid manners of society as he grows up.
Level B2ClassicsKingsworth; or, The Aim of a LifeIn windswept Kingsworth House, two brothers grapple with family legacy and fractured loyalties as one prepares to marry an heiress and assume stewardship of their ancestral estate,…
Level C1ClassicsKing of the CastleA young woman navigates the expectations of family, love, and societal standing amid the tensions of a thriving quarry business.
Level C1ClassicsKing of CamargueIn the wild Camargue, a mysterious gypsy queen confronts Livette, a young woman on the brink of marriage, demanding oil and hinting at dark secrets and unsettling futures.
Level C1ClassicsKing Lear's Wife; The Crier by Night; The Riding to Lithend; Midsummer-Eve; Laodice and DanaëStep into ancient halls where queens and warriors navigate power, loyalty, and betrayal through richly woven scenes and haunting atmospheres.
Level C2ClassicsKing LearA aging king decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, sparking a tense battle for power and loyalty that will unravel family bonds and ignite a tragic struggle for…
Level C1ClassicsKimiko, and Other Japanese SketchesStep into the mysterious, lantern-lit Street of the Geisha, where Kimiko, a celebrated and clever geisha, navigates the delicate arts of beauty, tradition, and human nature, reveal…
Level C1ClassicsKeynotesAmidst a serene wilderness, a sharp-witted woman and a keen fisherman strike up an unexpected encounter, blending nature’s tranquility with the intrigue of human complexity and the…
Level C1ClassicsKept in the DarkIn a genteel Exeter setting, Cecilia Holt’s carefree life with her mother is upended when the charming yet prideful Sir Francis Geraldine arrives, igniting a passionate engagement…
Level C1ClassicsKent Knowles: QuahaugA reluctant storyteller from Bayport, known as "The Quahaug," struggles to find the right place to begin his tale, weaving local color and small-town characters into a charming, un…
Level C1ClassicsKennedy SquareIn a fragrant, sunlit Kennedy Square of the late 1850s, Todd, a loyal and lively young servant, eagerly awaits the return of his master from a hunting trip, revealing a world of ol…
Level C1ClassicsKenelm Chillingly — CompleteIn a restless marriage marked by mutual tolerance and a longed-for heir, Sir Peter Chillingly faces the looming threat of a greedy cousin eager to claim his estate.![Cover of Keeping watch [Night watches, Part 2.] by W. Jacobs](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6jmvipmtvc73csnnkg.webp)
Level C1ClassicsKeeping watch [Night watches, Part 2.]A wary night-watchman is tasked with guarding a skipper's daughter, whose secret love letters have sparked her father's fierce jealousy.
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.