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 B2ClassicsKeeping up with LizzieIn a small Connecticut village, ambition and social rivalry ignite as Lizzie's lavish education and lifestyle spark a costly competition among townsfolk determined to keep up with…
Level C1ClassicsKeatsExplore the life and works of a beloved Romantic poet through detailed accounts, letters, and unpublished materials that reveal the man behind the verses and the evolving understan…
Level B2ClassicsKatherine's SheavesAt Hilton Seminary, Katherine Minturn arrives as a poised new junior, quickly capturing the attention and curiosity of her fellow students and teachers alike.
Level C1ClassicsKatherine Lauderdale; Vol. 2 of 2Caught between duty and desire, a young woman confronts the powerful patriarch of her family after making a bold, unconventional choice—testing loyalty, love, and the limits of inf…
Level C1ClassicsKatherine Lauderdale; Vol. 1 of 2In a world of contrasts and concealed depths, John Ralston grapples with restless temper and inherited melancholy while navigating society and complex family ties, all under the wa…
Level C1ClassicsKate Vernon: A Tale. Vol. 3 (of 3)A young woman faces a sudden, devastating crisis when her beloved grandfather falls gravely ill, forcing her to confront fear, loss, and resilience amid uncertain hope.
Level C1ClassicsKate Vernon: A Tale. Vol. 2 (of 3)Kate Vernon navigates the quiet rhythms of her secluded life, grappling with the unexpected void left by Captain Egerton's departure and a haunting letter from India.
Level B2ClassicsKate MulhallJourney westward on the perilous Oregon Trail with Kate Mulhall, facing treacherous river crossings, hostile encounters, and the struggle to build new lives in the untamed Northwes…
Level C1ClassicsKate Coventry: An AutobiographyA spirited young woman navigates Victorian society’s strict rules and expectations, challenging propriety with daring rides and bold friendships, all while contending with her aust…
Level C1ClassicsKate Carnegie and Those MinistersAmid the bustling Muirtown Station, southern immigrants arrive to the rugged Scottish Highlands, where character and homecoming collide.
Level B2ClassicsKarma: A Re-incarnation Play: In Prologue, Epilogue & Three ActsIn a London home shadowed by illness and political tension, a devoted husband resigns his post in Egypt to stay by his ailing wife's side, while mysterious dreams and the looming c…
Level C1ClassicsKansas Women in LiteratureDiscover the inspiring stories of Kansas women whose talents and passions shape education, literature, and social progress—from a math educator finding romance in numbers to poets…
Level B2ClassicsKangarooIn a sunlit Australian park, a curious encounter unfolds between local workmen and a reserved foreign couple, revealing subtle tensions and cultural contrasts beneath everyday inte…
Level C1ClassicsKaiuolaniIn a Hawaii caught between tradition and change, a queen faces political turmoil and divided loyalties as she strives to unite her people under her reign.
Level C1ClassicsKafir Stories: Seven Short StoriesIn a South African canteen, a policeman and a recently released convict discuss a puzzling decline in sheep thefts, uncovering tensions and secrets in a land where tradition and la…
Level B2ClassicsJustice is a womanIn the shadow of a revered judge’s legacy, a young lawyer navigates the traditions and tensions of a prestigious law firm, where a mysterious woman with a cold gaze seeks justice—a…
Level C1ClassicsJusticeIn a lawyer’s office, a desperate woman seeks help for a troubled junior clerk whose life spirals into chaos.
Level C1ClassicsJust a girlIn a rowdy mining camp where violence and chaos reign, a mysterious postman arrives with an unexpected bundle that could change everything.
Level C1ClassicsJurgen and the lawWhen a witty and provocative book becomes the target of legal censorship, its publishers face a dramatic battle to defend literature’s freedom and define the fragile boundary betwe…
Level C1ClassicsJupiter LightsA determined American woman embarks on a winding journey through marshy channels and turbulent seas, guided only by the distant glow of Jupiter Light.
Level C1ClassicsJulian HomeAt Harton School’s bustling Speech Day, two strikingly different students vie for distinction—Home, the diligent prize-winner, and Bruce, the charismatic orator.
Level C1ClassicsJuggernaut: A Veiled RecordOn the morning he plans his own suicide, Edgar Braine feels an exhilarating surge of ambition and hope, poised to conquer life's challenges and win love, as he navigates the lively…
Level C1ClassicsJudith, a Play in Three Acts; Founded on the Apocryphal Book of JudithIn besieged Bethulia, water runs dry and the mighty Assyrian army encamps under the command of Holofernes, as resistance and survival hang in a fragile balance amid looming war and…
Level C1ClassicsJudith of the PlainsAfter a grueling four-day train journey across the vast, unyielding prairie, Mary Carmichael arrives at a rough frontier town, burdened by homesickness and uncertainty.
Level B2ClassicsJudith of the Godless ValleyIn the isolated, snowbound Lost Chief Valley, fiery foster siblings Judith and Douglas clash amid rugged landscapes and simmering tensions as their community prepares for a rare Su…
Level B2ClassicsJudith of the CumberlandsIn the remote Appalachian mountains, a young woman named Judith navigates the rugged wilderness and the close-knit mountain communities, where tradition, hospitality, and the secre…
Level B2ClassicsJudith of Blue Lake RanchIn the rugged expanse of Blue Lake Ranch, horse foreman Bud Lee navigates a world of untamed landscapes and hidden dangers, where loyalty and courage are tested at every turn benea…
Level B2ClassicsJudge ElbridgeIn a rapidly growing Chicago, retired Judge Elbridge reflects on a life shaped by law, loyalty, and family ties, as he raises the children of a fallen partner amidst the city's tra…
Level C1ClassicsJoyzelleIn Merlin’s enchanted palace, a mysterious son approaches a destiny shaped by a rare and powerful love that promises to awaken hidden forces within the soul.
Level B2ClassicsJoy: A Play on the Letter "I"On a sunny midsummer day by the Thames, a family gathers at Colonel Hope's estate, where hidden tensions and unexpected guests stir beneath the calm surface.
Level C1ClassicsJournals of Dorothy Wordsworth, Vol. 2 (of 2)Journey through the rugged Scottish Highlands on a stormy day, where rain-soaked travelers find warmth, unexpected kindness, and vivid local life in a remote ferry-house, revealing…
Level C1ClassicsJournals of Dorothy Wordsworth, Vol. 1 (of 2)Step into the intimate daily life of Dorothy Wordsworth as she chronicles nature's changing seasons, family moments, and poetic inspirations alongside her brother in the serene Eng…
Level C1ClassicsJournalism for Women: A Practical GuideDiscover how journalism transforms the mundane into the captivating, revealing the art of making everyday life intriguing and engaging through the journalist’s unique perspective a…
Level B2ClassicsJosiah's Secret: A PlayIn a rural kitchen, Josiah and Samantha clash over women’s suffrage and daily chores, revealing sharp humor and the strains of traditional roles.
Level B2ClassicsJosiah's Alarm, and Abel Perry's FuneralWhen Josiah and Samantha install a furnace that promises to pour out heat in torrents, fears of overheating and wild schemes for winter gardening ignite a humorous battle of cautio…
Level B2ClassicsJosiah Allen's Wife as a P. A. and P. I.: Samantha at the Centennial.: Designed As a Bright and Shining Light, to Pierce the Fogs of Error and Injustice That Surround Society and Josiah, and to Bring More Clearly to View the Path That Leads Straight on to Virtue and Happiness.A sharp-witted woman sets out to write her story, navigating the humorous and stubborn objections of her husband Josiah, revealing small-town life and the everyday trials of love,…
Level B2ClassicsJosiah Allen on the Woman QuestionA cantankerous man battles the rising tide of female suffrage with humor and heart, wrestling private doubts and public debates while grappling with the domestic life that both cha…
Level C1ClassicsJoshua MarvelIn a bustling Stepney neighborhood, the Marvel family struggles to make ends meet, while young Joshua dreams of breaking free from his wood-turner father's humble trade to forge a…
Level C1ClassicsJoshua Haggard's daughter, Vol. 3 (of 3)Naomi awaits her lover’s return with desperate hope, torn between faith in his love and fear of betrayal.
Level C1ClassicsJoshua Haggard's daughter, Vol. 2 (of 3)In a quiet chapel far from home, a preacher’s heartfelt sermon on faith, sacrifice, and the beauty of worship stirs a simple congregation—and captivates Cynthia, whose innocent awe…
Level C1ClassicsJoshua Haggard's daughter, Vol. 1 (of 3)A dark storm looms over the coastal village of Combhaven, where fierce seas mirror the turbulent lives of its inhabitants.
Level B2ClassicsJosh Billings, Hiz SayingsWitty and homespun, these comic musings explore everything from the stubborn mule to the quirks of life insurance, offering humor and wisdom in a uniquely folksy voice that invites…
Level C1ClassicsJosh Billings' Farmer's Allminax, 1870-1879Discover a humor-filled almanac blending witty family lore, quirky advice, and homespun wisdom, where each month comes alive with playful monographs, practical tips, and the charmi…
Level B2ClassicsJosh Billings on Ice, and Other ThingsDive into a witty and whimsical journey through everyday observations—from the thrill of skating on artificial ice to the curious lives of grasshoppers and bed bugs—offering humor…
Level C1ClassicsJoseph in the Snow, and The Clockmaker. In Three Volumes. Vol. III.In a tranquil mountain home, newlyweds navigate the quiet joys and subtle challenges of domestic life, discovering peace, humor, and the warmth of shared memories amid the stillnes…
Level B2ClassicsJoseph in the Snow, and The Clockmaker. In Three Volumes. Vol. II.In a Black Forest village where clocks and hearts both tick steadily, a family faces loss, love, and the hope of reunion as a young man sets off on a journey that may heal old woun…
Level C1ClassicsJoseph in the Snow, and The Clockmaker. In Three Volumes. Vol. I.A restless child’s repeated question marks the start of a day steeped in family strife, lost children, and secrets in a quiet village.
Level C1ClassicsJoseph and His Friend: A Story of PennsylvaniaIn a quiet Pennsylvania community, Joseph navigates the delicate tensions of family expectations and social gatherings, seeking his own path between tradition and youthful independ…
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.